Countdown to London GCT on as Riders Anticipate Event!

The countdown has begun and excitement is mounting among Britain’s strong horse loving community with nine out of the Top 10 riders on parade at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park less than a year after the Olympic Games. 

The world’s top ranked riders have been speaking about the hotly-anticipated London leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour.

Nick Skelton, Michael Whitaker, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Christian Ahlmann are among the stars who will be competing for ranking honours and top prize money at the inaugural event in the British capital city.

Olympic gold medallist Nick Skelton, fresh from a superb victory on Big Star in Rome at the weekend, spoke about the upcoming London event from June 6-9: “It is a very good idea and it will be a big thing for us in England. We need something like this in England. We had a lot of support and publicity from the Olympics, so to bring the Global Tour to London is great.”

Fellow British rider Michael Whitaker said: “It is going to be really good for the sport to have the event in London. We don’t have too many international shows in England, especially at that level so I am really looking forward to it. The Olympics lifted the whole sport and put it in the public eye. It will be one of my main prioritities and it is fantastic prize money as well, so it is a very big incentive.”

Great Britain Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash said: “I think it is great to have such a big show in London. To have a 5* Global Tour show in London, especially on the back of the Olympics, is really good. I think it will be very well attended by the public.”

British rider Robert Smith, son of famous British show jumper Harvey Smith, said: “It will be great for GCT and London. It is long overdue a big show like that in the city. England very much on a high after the olympics i think they will do very well with it.”

A star-studded line up of international riders will start arriving in London early next week including current Longines Global Champions Tour 2011 and 2012 winner Edwina Tops-Alexander. Speaking about the London event she said: “London is one of the most amazing places in the world and it would be a incredible addition to our Tour to have an event there. Great Britain has a real culture in horses.”

Leading German rider Christian Ahlmann said: “It is a really good feeling to be having the Global Tour in London. The Olympic Games in London was the best I have ridden and it was really big for our sport.  It is a great step for the people there and for the riders that the Global Tour is going to London, it is a big horse sport country.” 

By: Global Champions Tour