Some of the world's very best riders arrive in Knokke this week, for the fourth edition of Knokke Hippique – confirming the status this unique event has gained since its launch in 2015. Knokke Hippique opens the doors on June 28, with CSI5* competitions, the CSI3* Top Series, the CSI2* Super Cup, the CSI1* Prestige League and the CSIYH1* Talent Tour on the program until July 1. Then there are two days of break, before the Summer Circuit resumes with two parts – running from July 4-8 and 11-15 with the Top Series, Super Cup, Prestige League and Talent Tour as well as pony classes. The who’s who of showjumping will compete in the five-star classes during the opening weekend of Knokke Hippique. 2017 World Cup Champion, two-times Olympic team gold medallist and world no. two McLain Ward (USA) is one of the biggest names on the list. He will get company from world no. three and 2012 Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat (SUI), a rider that also has won the World Cup Final twice. World no. four Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), world no. seven Kevin Staut (FRA) – a team gold medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and 2009 European Champion, as well as world no. eight Daniel Deusser (GER) – 2014 World Cup Champion and 2016 team bronze medallist at the Olympic Games in Rio – will all be attending as will living legend Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), 2004 Olympic Champion and three-times World Cup Champion. Some of the world's best lady riders will also be in Knokke: Olympic team gold medallist Laura Kraut (USA), Pan-Am team gold medallist Lauren Hough (USA), rising star Jessica Springsteen (USA) as well as Penelope Leprevost (FRA) – a team gold medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The host nation's riders will give all these famous names a good fight though, with Niels Bruynseels (BEL), Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts (BEL), Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) all on the entry list – not to forget Gudrun Patteet who won last year's Rolex Grand Prix at Knokke Hippique. Expectations will be high for Bruynseels, who seems to have a real taste for Stephan Conter’s magnificent events – having won both the 2016 and the 2017 Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels at the Stephex Masters.
Some of the world's very best riders arrive in Knokke this week, for the fourth edition of Knokke Hippique – confirming the status this unique event has gained since its launch in 2015. Knokke Hippique opens the doors on June 28, with CSI5* competitions, the CSI3* Top Series, the CSI2* Super Cup, the CSI1* Prestige League and the CSIYH1* Talent Tour on the program until July 1. Then there are two days of break, before the Summer Circuit resumes with two parts – running from July 4-8 and 11-15 with the Top Series, Super Cup, Prestige League and Talent Tour as well as pony classes. The who’s who of showjumping will compete in the five-star classes during the opening weekend of Knokke Hippique. 2017 World Cup Champion, two-times Olympic team gold medallist and world no. two McLain Ward (USA) is one of the biggest names on the list. He will get company from world no. three and 2012 Olympic Champion Steve Guerdat (SUI), a rider that also has won the World Cup Final twice. World no. four Henrik von Eckermann (SWE), world no. seven Kevin Staut (FRA) – a team gold medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio and 2009 European Champion, as well as world no. eight Daniel Deusser (GER) – 2014 World Cup Champion and 2016 team bronze medallist at the Olympic Games in Rio – will all be attending as will living legend Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), 2004 Olympic Champion and three-times World Cup Champion. Some of the world's best lady riders will also be in Knokke: Olympic team gold medallist Laura Kraut (USA), Pan-Am team gold medallist Lauren Hough (USA), rising star Jessica Springsteen (USA) as well as Penelope Leprevost (FRA) – a team gold medallist at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. The host nation's riders will give all these famous names a good fight though, with Niels Bruynseels (BEL), Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts (BEL), Jos Verlooy (BEL) and Gregory Wathelet (BEL) all on the entry list – not to forget Gudrun Patteet who won last year's Rolex Grand Prix at Knokke Hippique. Expectations will be high for Bruynseels, who seems to have a real taste for Stephan Conter’s magnificent events – having won both the 2016 and the 2017 Rolex Grand Prix of Brussels at the Stephex Masters.