Global Champions Tour and Longines Join Forces in New Title Partnership

In a landmark agreement Longines and Global Champions Tour have joined forces in a new long-term title partnership agreement, it is announced today.

The Swiss watchmaker will be Title Partner and Official Timekeeper of the LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR, opening an exciting new chapter in equestrian sport.

The LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR announcement comes at the start of the biggest season so far for the premier show jumping series. Longines Global Champions Tour 2013 will include dynamic debut events in Madrid, London and Shanghai. For the first time the Championship Final will take place at the magnificent Al Shaqab equestrian facility in Doha, Qatar.

The announcement marks a major commitment by Longines to the high calibre 5* show jumping events that are the hallmark of Global Champions Tour. The partnership brings together shared traditions of speed, precision, elegance and a passion for horses.

Jan Tops, President and Founder of Global Champions Tour, said: “This partnership is a significant milestone in our history and I look forward to a successful collaboration that will bring many benefits for the future of our sport. Longines has a truly impressive heritage in equestrian sport and I am delighted by the decision to strengthen our relationship with a long-term commitment.”

Longines’ President Walter von Känel said: “The Longines Global Champions Tour and our brand share common values such as precision, tradition and especially a passion for equestrian sports. We are proud to support this extraordinary series of events in show jumping with our timekeeping expertise. True to Longines’ slogan - Elegance is an attitude - we are delighted to witness the world’s best riders and horses competing in exciting contests.”

The LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR season kicks off in Madrid from May 3-5 when the world’s top riders and horses will go into battle for championship points and prize money (see below for full season calendar).

Longines can draw on a long-lasting and vast experience in sport and has been an active timekeeper in show jumping since 1926. Today, Longines’ involvement in equestrian sports includes show jumping, flat racing and endurance competitions.

Around 21 million international viewers tuned into last year’s events on Eurosport. Almost 300,000 spectators watched the events live in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations. Longines was official timekeeper at four events last season.

About Longines:

Longines has been based at Saint-Imier in Switzerland since 1832. Its watchmaking expertise reflects a strong devotion to tradition, elegance and performance. Longines has generations of experience as official timekeeper of world championships and as partner of international sports federations. Known for the elegance of its timepieces, Longines is a member of the Swatch Group Ltd, the World’s leading manufacturer of horological products. With the winged hourglass as its emblem, the brand has outlets in over 130 countries.

About Global Champions Tour:

Global Champions Tour was founded in 2006 by Olympic gold medallist Jan Tops and has expanded from 6 to 13 events in 2013. Now in its 8th season, the prestigious Tour takes place in breathtaking locations from Monaco to Chantilly and Doha to Vienna. GCT consistently attracts the Top 30 riders in the world and offers record prize money. This year GCT will stage debut events in London, Madrid and Shanghai. All the season's Grand Prix will be broadcast on the world's most watched sports channel, Eurosport.

Quick Links

• Visit the Global Champions Tour website
• View Showjumping Horses for sale on Horsezone