The opening day of competition at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Antwerp, the first leg of the record-breaking 2014 season, will welcome some of the best horses in show jumping, as well as 17 of the World's Top 20 riders. The brightest equine stars of LGCT 2013, including Hello Sanctos, Taloubet Z and Cedric, are listed to compete in Antwerp. Last year's LGCT Champion and current World Number One Scott Brash said: "I'm really looking forward to the season and I will do my best to achieve what I did last year."
Though the final starting line-up for the Grand Prix is yet to be decided, the high calibre of horses in attendance will make for a fabulous international 5* line-up, to include:
Eric Lamaze (CAN) - Powerplay Penelope Leprevost (FRA) - Nice Stephanie Christian Ahlmann (GER) - Taloubet Z Ludger Beerbaum (GER) - Chiara 222 Daniel Deusser (GER) - Cornet d'Amour Marcus Ehning (GER) - Sabrina Scott Brash (GBR) - Hello Sanctos Ben Maher (GBR) - Tripple X III Harrie Smolders (NED) - Emerald Kamal Bahamdan (KSA) - Noblesse de Tess Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) - Casall ASK Kent Farrington (USA) - Blue Angel Laura Kraut (USA) - Cedric McLain Ward (USA) - Rothchild
The latest confirmed rider list reveals that after initially confirming his attendance last month, Dutch rider Gerco Schröder has withdrawn from the competition and will be replaced by Britain's Michael Whitaker. Similarly, Spain's Sergio Alvarez Moya will now replace another Dutchman, Maikel van der Vleuten. Top ranked Belgian rider Gregory Wathelet, who is also confirmed as attending, is excited about the LGCT visiting his home country: "I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to compete against the world top 30 in Antwerp."
Construction for the event, which takes place from 24-27 April, has already begun at Antwerp's famous and historic port. For the current 5* rider listing for LGCT Antwerp, please click here. You can buy tickets for LGCT Antwerp here. For all the latest information on our star riders competing in Antwerp and throughout the 2014 season, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube. Don't forget you can watch all of the action live via our website on GCT TV, our online streaming service.
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