Photos: Stefano Grasso /
LGCT
The world’s best riders will be in action
for the fifth leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour in
Hamburg as the battle for the 2016 championship accelerates.
The stunning stage of the Derby-Park is set for a dramatic
show jumping extravaganza with tense of thousands of
spectators expected for the showdown between some of the
biggest names in the sport.
A heavyweight line up of home riders are on the starting
grid including LGCT Ranking leader and World No2 Christian
Ahlmann (GER) who brings two of his top horses Codex One and
Epleaser van't Heike, Ludger Beerbaum (GER) with Chiara,
Daniel Deusser (GER), Marcus Ehning (GER), Meredith
Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Marco Kutscher (GER), Hans-Dieter
Dreher (GER) and Janne-Friederike Meyer (GER). World No1
Simon Delestre (FRA) will be hoping to continue his run of
success in the opening legs of the season and will bring his
Grand Prix winning horse, the beautiful Qlassic Bois Margot.
He’ll be joined by Kevin Staut (FRA) and Roger-Yves Bost
(FRA) who brings his LGCT Mexico Grand Prix winning horse
Qoud'Coeur de la Loge, both of whom also look to be on
impressive form.
Some of the leading young guns of show jumping will be
turning up the heat including Jos Verlooy (BEL), Olivier
Philippaerts (BEL) and Nicola Philippaerts (BEL). Lauren
Hough, Georgina Bloomberg, Laura Kraut and Audrey Coulter
are among the female firepower from the USA determined to
make a strong showing at the Grand Prix in Hamburg.
John Whitaker (GBR) will return to the Tour to join brother
Michael Whitaker (GBR) with Ornellaia, and with top names
such as Bertam Allen (IRL) who will bring Molly Malone V,
the formidable combination of Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) and
Casall ASK, Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Harrie Smolders (NED),
Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), Pieter Devos (BEL), Edwina
Tops-Alexander (AUS), Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT)
who brings First Devision, Pius Schwizer (SUI) and Henrik
von Eckermann (SWE) in action over the course of the event,
it’s set to be another superb showcase of world class sport
and entertainment.
Last year saw the USA’s Kent Farrington storm the Grand Prix
win with one of his top horses Voyeur. The American
champion’s defiant win at the famous grass arena in Hamburg
shook up the overall championship ranking after Leg 5 and
left Luciana Diniz in No1 spot. This year’s current leader
Christian Ahlmann (GER) will be looking to capitalise on his
early 33 point lead ahead of Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) who is
on 96 points ahead of John Whitaker (GBR) who sits in 3rd
place on 85 points.
The event kicks off on Wednesday 4th May with the first
CSI5* class taking place in the afternoon. For a full show
schedule, please click
here. To see the full rider list for the LGCT of
Hamburg, please click
here.