In a rare alignment of the stars, all of the Top 18 show jumping riders in the world have arrived in London and are ready to compete in the 11th round of the 2014 Longines Global Champions Tour, hosted by Horse Guards Parade Ground. Not even at major international championships do we usually see such a complete, star-studded turnout of the world’s top ranked riders.
British World No1 Scott Brash heads up an exciting line-up of Olympic, World and Continental champions all coming to London hunting glory. As 2013 Longines GCT overall Champion, Scott Brash is still the one to beat, with just four events remaining including the series final in Doha. Last year’s London Grand Prix winner and Brash’s 2012 Olympic gold medal-winning teammate Ben Maher will be battling to retain his London crown, so we could well see another spectacular home win this weekend.
Drawn by one of the most exciting and unique venues in the show jumping calendar and one of the richest prize funds of the year, the level of world-class talent present in the British capital for three days of top international sport will undoubtedly produce a thrilling Grand Prix on Saturday. Over 50 riders will start in the Longines Global Champions Tour of London Grand Prix presented by Qatar including a mouth-watering 27 of the Top 30 riders in the world.
With the World Equestrian Games just weeks away, the Tour’s London event presents the perfect opportunity for top riders to demonstrate their world-beating form on the renowned Longines GCT international stage. The winner of Saturday’s Grand Prix will take home the lion’s share of €450,000 (£360,000) – the biggest prize of the year in British showjumping.
The BBC’s Clare Balding will be presenting live coverage from the event on BBC TWO from 3pm on Friday and the Longines Global Champions Tour of London Grand Prix presented by Qatar will be live on BBC TWO on Saturday from 5.15pm. The winner of this crucial Grand Prix, round eleven of the 14-leg Longines GCT Championship, will earn 40 points which could well set them on the path to becoming overall season Champion and holder of the majority share of the €1million (£800,600) Championship bonus.
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