LGCT Berlin: Battle of the Best in Berlin as Championship Hots Up
Showjumping stars will be out in force this week in Berlin for the 13th leg of the 2019 Longines Global Champions Tour circuit, situated in the heart of Germany’s capital city.
As well as the prestigious LGCT Grand Prix of Berlin Presented by Tennor to add to their accolades, the sport’s A-list will have their eyes on winning the next coveted ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix as time runs out to qualify.
Back with a vengeance following his most recent performance in Chantilly, Pieter Devos (BEL) has a golden opportunity to regain the ranking lead as he sits just 11 points behind Ben Maher (GBR) who took over the top spot at the last event. Hot on their heels is Daniel Deusser (GER), the home hero already with a LGCT Grand Prix win under his belt, but keen to do the double and catapult his way up the overall leaderboard. The extra boost of competing on home turf helped his campaign in Hamburg earlier this year, but can the German star claim a win in Berlin this weekend?
There will be a plethora of German champions to delight spectators at the beautiful Sommergarten arena including Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Christian Kukuk (GER), Philipp Weishaupt (GER), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Marco Kutscher (GER).
And a host of top international riders will be pulling out the stops in the German capital this weekend, including last year’s winner Alberto Zorzi (ITA) who will be looking to pull off a double in the LGCT Grand Prix of Berlin Presented by Tennor on Saturday – and a ticket to the GC Playoffs in Prague in November. He’ll face stiff competition from big names such as Harrie Smolders (NED), Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Olivier Philippaerts (BEL), Martin Fuchs (SUI), Kent Farrington (USA), Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), Marlon Zanotelli (BRA), Nayel Nassar (EGY), Margie Goldstein-Engle (USA), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), Shane Breen (IRL) and William Whitaker (GBR).
The Longines Global Champions Tour added the dynamic city of Berlin to the global circuit in 2017 and the Sommergarten arena is shaped like an amphitheater creating a phenomenal atmosphere and has fast become a favourite with fans packing the grandstands to see top-level sport.
The German capital is also the largest city in the country, steeped in history with famous monuments including the Berlin Wall and the Brandenburg Gate. Berlin’s vibrant cultural scene makes it one of the most visited cities in the world.
Since 1981 the Sommergarten houses a sculpture garden with works by contemporary Berlin artists. In the skyline and as the perfect backdrop is the Funkturm – one of the most important landmarks in the city of Berlin. This iconic tower was built in 1926, originally put into operation for the 3rd great Deutsche Funk-Ausstellung, and now, with a height of 146.70 meters, visitors can look into the horizon far beyond Berlin’s borders from the tower restaurant.
For the full rider line up, please click here.
