World’s top riders head to Horse Guards

Nine of the top 10 showjumpers in the world head to central London later this month (14–16 August) for the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) five–star show at Horse Guards Parade.

World number one Scott Brash and number two Ben Maher will line up against top names including Germany’s Ludger Beerbaum and Marcus Ehning, French riders Kevin Staut, Penelope Leprevost and Patrice Delaveau, USA’s Jessica Springsteen, McLain Ward and Laura Kraut and Canada’s Eric Lamaze.

LGCT Tour leader Edwina Tops-Alexander, Olympic champion Steve Guerdat and recent Aachen grand prix winner Christian Ahlmann will also be in action.

Other British showjumpers competing at the three-day show include Michael Whitaker, Peter Charles, Mark Armstrong, Jessica Mendoza and Alexandra Thornton. Ireland will be represented by Cameron Hanley, Mark McAuley and Conor Swail.

Scott Brash (pictured) is the reigning LGCT champion and has already won two legs in the 2014 season in Cannes, France, and Estoril, Portugal, and finished third in the German leg in Hamburg.

“It is great to be at such a fantastic venue. This is a very important international event for British showjumping and all credit to everyone involved in organising and supporting it,” said Scott, who is on the shortlist to represent Great Britain at the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) in France next month (2-7 September).

This is the second time the LGCT heads to London. Ben Maher and Cella thrilled the crowds with their grand prix-winning round at the Olympic Park last year, but this is the first time that Horse Guards in London hosts an international equestrian event.

“It is a huge privilege to bring the tour to London again this year,” said event organiser Peter Phillips.

“After the success of the inaugural event in 2013 at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, we wanted to build on that and it doesn’t get much better than the iconic setting of Horse Guards Parade to host the Diamond League of showjumping. We once again welcome back the best riders and horses in the world in what will be their final appearance before heading off to WEG.”

The Longines Global Champions Tour of London takes place from 14-16 August. Limited tickets are still available: Book tickets now

Jennifer Donald

H&H showjumping editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.