The 14th LGCT Jumping of Monaco promises its fair share of thrills. During three days, from the 27th to the 29th of June, Monte-Carlo’s Port Hercule will transform, becoming a real equestrian festival. Prestige, top level sport, entertainment… at the mid-way point of the championship, the tension is at its’ peak and the best show-jumping riders on the planet are determined to do battle.
Following Stockholm (SWE) and Cascais (POR) with their very spacious arenas, the athletes will this time confront each other over technical tracks built by the German course designer Franck Rothenberger, in one of the smallest rings on the circuit (2.025m²).
The Principality has the honour of again welcoming this discipline’s elite and will be the backdrop for fierce combats to: take on Saturday evening the LGCT Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco presented by Tennor carrying a 300,000 euro purse (100,000 euros to the winner) and by doing so also win a ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix, the big final being held in Prague this November; excel as a team member in the Global Champions League (GCL) in order to qualify for the GC Prague Play Offs and the GCL Super Cup carrying an exceptional 12 million euros of prize money
The British star Ben Maher, laying in ambush in 3rd place in the LGCT rankings on 187pts, will certainly be trying to take advantage of the absence of his two opponents currently leading the circuit, Belgium’s Pieter Devos (206pts) and Germany’s Daniel Deusser (190pts). He will however have to contend with furious competition from the likes of the Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs, ranked number 3 in the World, who has already had two Grand Prix victories this season, notably just in front of him in Portugal last week-end ; the Australian, Edwina Tops-Alexander, who took the LGCT circuit in 2011 and 2012, as well as the Super Grand Prix of Prague last December ; father and son Eric and Maikel van der Vleuten just as outstanding as individuals as they are when competing as part of a team. Amongst those who will be present, Kevin Staut (FRA), Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), Alberto Zorzi (ITA) and Shane Breen (IRL) have already taken victory at Monaco. Who will be next, in 2019?
In the GCL, the London Knights team try to maintain their slight lead, lining-up the champions already mentioned above, Ben Maher and Martin Fuchs, as well as the Switzerland’s Paul Estermann. But also in the mix are the teams standing in the 2nd and 3rd places, the Shanghai Swans(Pius Schwizer and Kim Emmen) and the Madrid in Motion (Maikel van der Vleuten, Eric van der Vleuten, Cindy van der Straten)... This tactical battle with background music and run over two rounds, again promises spectators plenty of adrenalin and atmosphere.
Being held in parallel to this 5* competition, amateur riders and up and coming hopefuls will equally be in the spotlight in the CSI2* (courses standing at 1.15m to 1.45m) and also in a national competition, over jumps standing at 1.00-1.05m. Organised by the Fédération Équestre de la Principauté de Monaco (The Principality of Monaco equestrian federation) these national classes give Monegasque riders the opportunity to participate in one of the most famous equestrian events.
