Photos: Stefano Grasso /
LGCT
Top riders will turn up the heat on
Christian Ahlmann (GER) in Monaco this weekend in a bid to
close the gap on his formidable championship ranking lead.
The race to be 2016 overall LGCT Champion of Champions will
kick into a higher gear in the famous Principality as world
class combinations descend on the breathtaking stage of Port
Hercule.
Once again under the Patronage of His Serene Highness Prince
Albert II of Monaco, top riders will soon be arriving to the
spectacular venue for the 9th round of competition from the
24th - 26th June. The three-day feast of world-class show
jumping alongside the world-famous harbour of Monte-Carlo
will deliver fantastic entertainment for all as the Tour
gallops into the second half of the season, and the best
international riders and horses will descend on the
Principality to face challenging technical courses in one of
the smallest arenas on the Tour.
LGCT Ranking leader Christian Ahlmann (GER) will be in
action once more, making this weekend his 9th consecutive
event on the Tour’s calendar. With a comfortable tally of
209 points, the top German rider will be looking for a
strong result in the iconic Monte-Carlo destination, as drop
scores start to come into play during the latter half of the
season. Leaping up the rankings after her win in Miami Beach
and second place finish at the last event in Cannes, Edwina
Tops-Alexander (AUS) will also be in Monaco and hot on the
heels of the leading rider. Currently in second on 143
points overall, the two-time LGCT Champion of Champions will
be looking to close the gap to the German leader, and
continue her battle to write history by taking a hat trick
of titles. On 132 points overall in third is young gun and
Irish star Bertram Allen (IRL), who has always performed
well in fast paced, imitate arenas which demand agility,
forethought and bravery.
Fifth place man and Olympic Champion Rolf-Göran Bengtsson
(SWE), who has been so consistent on the Tour so far will
also be in Monaco and looking to shoot up the rankings with
a strong performance. Right behind him and just five points
away sits Daniel Bluman (COL), who has been on the podium
twice this year (Hamburg and Chantilly), and the legendary
John Whitaker (GBR) who currently sits 8th on the overall
LGCT Rankings.
Fellow top British rider Scott Brash (GBR) will head back to
Monaco where he won in 2015 with Hello M’Lady. Fresh from
his Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes win,
this time with Hello Forever, the former World Number 1 and
LGCT Champion of Champions will be hoping the smallest arena
on the circuit will once again favour the brave. He’ll be
joined by compatriot Laura Renwick (GBR), and Ireland’s
Denis Lynch (IRL), who also comes fresh from a recent CSI5*
win in Cannes.
Nestled between the Formula One pit lane and the beautiful
harbour setting, the LGCT of Monaco is undoubtably one of
the jewels in the crown of the Tour. The enchanting Riviera
location and luxurious facilities at the Monaco event
combine to deliver a stunning experience for families, VIPs,
sponsors, owners and riders. Monaco, which also plays host
to Formula One and ATP Masters tennis, is a hub of sport
with many high-profile fans in attendance. Over the years,
HH Prince Albert II of Monaco and members of the Royal
Family have joined business leaders and celebrities to cheer
on the riders.
2014 history maker, Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) will also
return to the Tour destination where he became the first
Qatari rider ever to win a Grand Prix, following a stunning
ride with his bay mare Victoria. The USA will have a strong
showing once more, with Lauren Hough (USA), Jessica
Springsteen (USA), Audrey Coulter (USA), Georgina Bloomberg
(USA) and Kimberly Prince (USA) all in action for this round
of competition.
There will be a wealth of young talent on show, with Nicola
Philippaerts (BEL), Jos Verlooy (BEL), Gonzalo Anõn Suarez
(ESP), Lisa Nooren (NED), Philip Houston (GER), Kevin
Jochems (NED) and Hamad Al Attiyah (QAT) all battling it out
for the top spot. With the likes of Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA),
who took bronze in the Grand Prix of Monaco last year, Pius
Schwizer (SUI), Jérôme Query (BEL), David Will (GER), Pilar
Cordon Muro (ESP), Pieter Devos (BEL), Jane Richard Philips
(SUI), and Brazil’s Marlon Zanotelli (BRA), it’s set to be
another electric atmosphere as fans and VIPs watch
spectacular top sport and entertainment.
For the full rider list, please click
here. For more information about LGCT Monaco, please
click
here.