Following on from the resounding success of 2016, the ground-breaking Tops international Arena in The Netherlands will once again host a series of world class international events throughout 2017, with the emphasis very much placed on providing world class competitions for all levels of horses and riders. Heralded as the epicentre of equestrianism in Europe, the Tops International Arena is gearing up for another spectacular 2017 season, welcoming athletes from around the world to its stunning facilities and offering unique opportunities to the next generation of stars of the sport. Following the success of its debut last year, the CSIYH1* events have been carefully planned around the full show jumping season schedule and will be held during the early part of the week, allowing the top class riders - who often compete at CSI5* shows during the weekend - the opportunity to ride their young up and coming Grand Prix horses of the future, giving valuable experience and exposure to 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds. Competitions for young riders such as the Global Future Champions will allow a new generation of show jumpers the chance to compete on a world class stage alongside their heroes, helping to positively support and promote show jumping around the globe and encourage more and more people into the sport and an opportunity to compete at a venue of the highest calibre. 2016 saw the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard feature 23 Olympic athletes in their final competition before they flew directly to Rio, a number unprecedented ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games. The weekend was also the exhilarating turning point for the overall LGCT title Champions Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and his formidable stallion Casall ASK after they won their second Grand Prix of the season, putting them in the running for the Championship title despite fierce competition from the world’s best horses and riders. Designed with the horse as the top priority, the show ground features an exceptional 125m by 85m sweeping grass arena, four further sand arenas featuring top class footing, canter tracks and lunging arenas, expansive warm up arenas, exceptional wash areas and facilities for grooms to provide top standard care and over 500 world class and beautifully designed stables available for visiting competitors. Within the impressive complex there is a shopping village, refreshments and entertainment areas - all of which are available for everyone in the family to enjoy, and tickets allowing the perfect view of the action under covered grandstands. The full 2017 Tops International Arena schedule is as follows: TOPS INTERNATIONAL ARENA: • 08-10 May: CSI2* + CSI1* + CSIYH1* • 15-17 May: CSI2* + CSI1* + CSIYH1* • 17-19 July: Global Future Champions CSIYH (5 / 6 / 7 / 8 years old) • 21-23 July: Global Future Champions CSIU25 + CSIYR + CSIJ + CSICh + CSIP • 10-13 August: CSI5* LGCT + CSI5* GCL + CSI2* + CSI1* + CSIYH1* All events are open to the public, with tickets available soon.
Following on from the resounding success of 2016, the ground-breaking Tops international Arena in The Netherlands will once again host a series of world class international events throughout 2017, with the emphasis very much placed on providing world class competitions for all levels of horses and riders. Heralded as the epicentre of equestrianism in Europe, the Tops International Arena is gearing up for another spectacular 2017 season, welcoming athletes from around the world to its stunning facilities and offering unique opportunities to the next generation of stars of the sport. Following the success of its debut last year, the CSIYH1* events have been carefully planned around the full show jumping season schedule and will be held during the early part of the week, allowing the top class riders - who often compete at CSI5* shows during the weekend - the opportunity to ride their young up and coming Grand Prix horses of the future, giving valuable experience and exposure to 5, 6, 7 and 8 year olds. Competitions for young riders such as the Global Future Champions will allow a new generation of show jumpers the chance to compete on a world class stage alongside their heroes, helping to positively support and promote show jumping around the globe and encourage more and more people into the sport and an opportunity to compete at a venue of the highest calibre. 2016 saw the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard feature 23 Olympic athletes in their final competition before they flew directly to Rio, a number unprecedented ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games. The weekend was also the exhilarating turning point for the overall LGCT title Champions Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and his formidable stallion Casall ASK after they won their second Grand Prix of the season, putting them in the running for the Championship title despite fierce competition from the world’s best horses and riders. Designed with the horse as the top priority, the show ground features an exceptional 125m by 85m sweeping grass arena, four further sand arenas featuring top class footing, canter tracks and lunging arenas, expansive warm up arenas, exceptional wash areas and facilities for grooms to provide top standard care and over 500 world class and beautifully designed stables available for visiting competitors. Within the impressive complex there is a shopping village, refreshments and entertainment areas - all of which are available for everyone in the family to enjoy, and tickets allowing the perfect view of the action under covered grandstands. The full 2017 Tops International Arena schedule is as follows: TOPS INTERNATIONAL ARENA: • 08-10 May: CSI2* + CSI1* + CSIYH1* • 15-17 May: CSI2* + CSI1* + CSIYH1* • 17-19 July: Global Future Champions CSIYH (5 / 6 / 7 / 8 years old) • 21-23 July: Global Future Champions CSIU25 + CSIYR + CSIJ + CSICh + CSIP • 10-13 August: CSI5* LGCT + CSI5* GCL + CSI2* + CSI1* + CSIYH1* All events are open to the public, with tickets available soon.