Dutch show jumping enthusiasts can follow the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard on NOS. This brings the world's best riders and horses to a large national audience during a special year for Global Champions.

The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard will be broadcast live on Sunday, September 6, from 1:30 PM on NOS/NPO/NOS.nl. The announcement comes as the Longines Global Champions Tour prepares to return to its spiritual home, the Longines Tops International Arena, from September 4 to 6. As Global Champions celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026, the return to Valkenswaard marks a fitting intersection of the competition's past, present, and future.

For top Dutch rider Harrie Smolders, the event holds special significance. He returns to the venue where he and the exceptional horse Monaco achieved an emotional home victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard in 2025. Twelve months after finishing second in the same class, Smolders and Monaco returned with determination. They delivered the only double clear round of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, securing victory in front of a sold-out, ecstatic Dutch crowd.

"The atmosphere and the crowd's reaction are what I remember most," Smolders recalls. "We finished second the year before, so coming back and winning made it even more special. Monaco jumped an incredible double clear round and proved once again what an exceptional horse he is. Winning any five-star Grand Prix is special, but doing it in Valkenswaard, in front of the Dutch crowd and with a horse like Monaco, made it a day I will always remember."

The victory added another chapter to Monaco’s extraordinary career. His long career, consistency, and ability to perform on the sport's biggest stages have made him a massive fan favorite around the world.

"Monaco is a horse in a million," says Smolders. "His consistency at the highest level is remarkable, but what makes him special is his character and intelligence. He understands the sport and always knows when it matters. We have built a partnership over many years, and that experience and trust make a massive difference in the biggest classes. I am deeply grateful to him, his owners, and the whole team behind us."

The level keeps rising!

"Valkenswaard is always a very special event for me," Smolders explains. "It’s one of the most important venues in our sport, and as a Dutch rider, you truly feel the support of the home crowd. The facilities are outstanding, and everything is designed to allow horses and riders to perform at their best. There’s always a different atmosphere when riding at home, and I’m really looking forward to returning."

Smolders has experienced the growth and development of the competition firsthand, both as a leading international rider and as a former Longines Global Champions Tour champion.

"The Tour has played a pivotal role in the development of our sport," he says. "The competition has brought show jumping to incredible locations, created new opportunities for riders and owners, and introduced the sport to audiences around the globe.

The level has continuously risen, both in terms of competition and the presentation of the sport. You see the top riders and horses competing against each other throughout the season, and that consistency makes the championship exceptionally difficult to win. Valkenswaard is central to that history, so it is fitting to return here during its 20th anniversary year."

The pressure of competing "in front of a home crowd!"

Home support can bring extra expectations, but Smolders believes that the energy of the Dutch crowd is ultimately primarily a source of motivation.

"There is always a bit of extra pressure because you want to perform well at home, but I see it mainly as extra motivation," he explains. "The Dutch crowd understands the sport and gives us tremendous support. When you enter the arena and hear that reaction, it gives you extra energy. Last year, the crowd really lifted us to a higher level, and those are the moments you live for as a rider."

This year's event comes at a crucial stage in the battle for the 2026 championship. The world's top horse-and-rider combinations travel to Valkenswaard in pursuit of valuable points, while the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix will once again present an impressive test of precision, scope, and speed.

"Winning the Valkenswaard Grand Prix is never easy," says Smolders. "The arena allows the course designer to build a large, technical track, and you need a horse in peak form to be competitive. The championship is entering a vital phase, so the top riders will arrive determined to take home valuable points. With some of the best combinations in the world coming together, I'm confident it will be an exciting weekend."

For those attending in person, the Longines Tops International Arena offers the chance to experience the horses and riders up close. For fans watching from home, the NOS broadcast brings the atmosphere and athletic excitement of Valkenswaard right to screens across the Netherlands.