Boris Johnson tries riding at London’s Global Champions Tour launch

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, got a leg up from Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton this morning (Tuesday 7 May) at the official launch of this summer’s Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) of London.

They were joined by Peter Phillips, organiser of the Longines Global Champions Tour London, Jan Tops, president of the GCT and Walter Von Kanel, Longines president at the East London venue adjacent to the Olympic Park.

The five-star jumping show, offering over £640,000 in prize-money, will take place from Thursday 6 June to Sunday 9 June.

Tickets start from £10 and are currently on sale from www.globalchampionstour.com or call the box office on 01933 304880.

For more see next week’s issue of H&H (16 may).

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.