As the 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour season gallops to the midway point of the season, a truly international field of world class riders will descend upon the stunning setting of Chantilly to compete in the historic venue. Top riders from 20 different countries will battle it out in the beautiful grass arena, with two out of the world’s top three in action over the course of this three day feast of show jumping.

LGCT Ranking leader and World Number 2 Christian Ahlmann (GER) will be competing once again at the LGCT of Chantilly, which kicks off this Thursday 26th May against the backdrop of the exquisite Château de Chantilly. Christian currently leads the Tour Ranking with an impressive 186 points, as he begins to break away from second place man John Whitaker (GBR) who sits on 118 points overall. Christian has been placed well within the points at every Grand Prix this year, and has rocketed up the rankings following his consistent results at every LGCT leg so far. He will be joined by World Number 3, Scott Brash (GBR), who also returns to the spectacular destination for the seventh leg of the Tour.

Chantilly is famous for its impressive, beautiful château, it’s premier racetrack and, of course, Chantilly cream. But it is Chantilly’s reputation as France’s ‘Capital of the Horse’ which makes it the perfect venue for a Longines Global Champions Tour event.

Last year’s winner, and World Number 7, Gregory Wathelet (BEL) is another top name who will be heading to the stunning French destination and will no doubt be looking to repeat his sensational Grand Prix victory. Legend of the sport Ludger Beerbaum (GER) will be in action, hot from his Longines Global Champions Tour of Hamburg win, as will Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) who brings the magnificent stallion Casall ASK. They’ll be joined by a host of young talent, including World Number 9 Bertram Allen (IRL), Jos Verlooy (BEL), Olivier Philippaerts (BEL), Kevin Jochems (NED) and Gonzalo Anon Suarez (ESP). Last year’s LGCT Champion of Champions Luciana Diniz (POR) will be back in action for the seventh round of competition, and Patrice Delaveau (FRA) will be the leading home rider.

There will be a strong showing of top German riders in action this week, with Daniel Deusser (GER), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), Andreas Kreuzer (GER) and David Will (GER) ready to take centre stage in Chantilly. America too will see a strong field of Lauren Hough (USA), Georgina Bloomberg (USA), Jessica Springsteen (USA), Paris Sellon (USA), Audrey Coulter (USA) and Kimberly Prince (USA).

Also in action will be Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MAR), winner of the opening CSI5* Prix Generali French Tour in 2015. With the likes of Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), Pius Schwizer (SUI), Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), Jérôme Guery (BEL), Laura Renwick (GBR), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) and Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) in action, it’s set to be another spell-binding weekend of top sport in the historic location.

The Grand Prix of Chantilly is played out against the exquisite backdrop of the Château de Chantilly and the beautiful Grand Stables, which are surrounded by parkland, gardens and the Forêt de Chantilly. Between the elite level show jumping competitions, visitors can enjoy the Musée Vivant du Cheval (Living Horse Museum), created by Yves Bienaimé in 1982, where the equestrian world of the past and present is brought to life in visually stunning equestrian shows and dressage demonstrations. Then it’s back to the picturesque arena for a stunning display of horsemanship from the world’s best riders.

Longines Global Champions Tour of Chantilly is set to be an exciting event on the 2016 calendar as fans and sports men and women from around the world come together in the grounds of a beautiful French château to enjoy show jumping at its finest.

For a full rider list, please click here. For more information on the event, please click here.