Global Champions Tour Ventures to Valkenswaard

An aerial view of the International Concours Valkenswaard Photograph:Dirk Borst/GCT

There will be no rest for the world’s top Showjumpers following on from the Olympic Games, with the ninth round of the Global Champions Tour to get underway this weekend in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands. 

Round nine will be staged on the Stal Tops private equestrian estate which is the home of GCT founder Jan Tops.

Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander, who placed 20^th in the individual final at the London 2012 Olympic Games, enters the latest round as the overall series leader and will be looking to extend her 38 point margin over the strong field of competitors when the Grand Prix class takes place on Saturday. She has led the series since the opening round and with just four events in the series remaining, the 38 year old is well positioned to take the overall series title for the second consecutive year.

Edwina is one of several Olympic riders to contest the Valkenswaard Grand Prix. Joining her in the line-up is Olympic team and individual silver medallist, Gerco Schroder, Olympic team bronze medallist Kamal Bahamdan of Saudi Arabia and Alvaro de Miranda Neto and Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil. 

Global Champions Tour Show Director Marco Danese is predicting a close competition.

“Valkenswaard is always a very popular show with riders and the public. There is of course extra excitement this year as it follows the Olympic Games and we will see some of the medal winners here in Valkenswaard. I am sure we will witness some great sport,” he said. 

Eurosport will broadcast the action of the Valkenswaard GCT Grand Prix class on channel 511 on Foxtel and Austar starting at 9:45am AEST on Sunday 19 August. Alternatively, the event can viewed live online at the Global Champions Tour website http://www.globalchampionstour.com/ 

Story: Equestrian Australia

Quick Link

• Visit the Equestrian Australia website