Amongst the 25 Rio Olympic athletes confirmed for the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard, an impressive 7 out of the world’s top 10 show jumpers will be heading to the epicentre of equestrianism in Europe for round 12 of the 2016 season. World Number 2, and long-term LGCT Ranking leader Christian Ahlmann (GER) will be leading the way and looking to fight his way back up to the top of the leaderboard. He’ll be joined by World Number 3 McLain Ward (USA), who, following his strong Silver at the opening season event in Miami Beach, will re-join the Tour for the first time in Europe. Compatriot Kent Farrington (USA), another of the Rio Olympic confirmed riders, will also be back in action for this European leg of the Tour, with the World Number 5 looking to capitalise on his recent run of success. GCL teammate and former long term World Number 1 Scott Brash (GBR) will also return to the Tops International Arena, and World Number 9 Bertram Allen (IRL), who celebrates his Birthday today, will be back for the 12th leg of the Tour. World Number 8 Daniel Deusser (GER) joins his fellow Olympic teammate Christian in Valkenswaard - the German rider has been on the podium twice this year, in Hamburg and Chantilly, and will be hoping for another strong performance this weekend. Former LGCT Chantilly Grand Prix winner and top Belgian rider Gregory Wathelet (BEL) will make it 7 of the top 10 riders in the world in action on the stunning grass arena for the intensely contested Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard. It’s set to be an exhilarating four day festival of show jumping, just days before the world’s best show jumpers jet off to Rio for the 2016 Olympic Games. For a full rider list, please click here.
