LGCT Valkenswaard gets set to host second event for the 2021 series
The Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard (LGCT Valkenswaard) is set to host a star-studded line up of competitors this weekend (20 – 22 August) as the race to the final leg of this year’s Tour heats up.
The 10th leg of this year’s series will be held at the beautiful Tops International Arena, which will see Edwina Tops-Alexander make the most of 2021 season’s leader, Peder Fredricson’s, absence. Currently sat in second, Tops-Alexander sits only 10 points behind Fredricson proving this leg of tour to be an important one for the Australian rider.
There will be less of a presence for Great Britain following last week’s home leg of the Tour, with Jodie Hall McAteer (21) and Emily Moffitt (23) riding for a chance to collect points to improve their overall 2021 ranking position. Proving a force to be reckoned with, young McAteer rides fresh from finishing 11th in the LGCT London CSI5* class, where she rode Salt’N Petta.
This weekend will see knife-edge battles in the spectacular grass arena with motivation high to win the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Valkenswaard for one of the few remaining qualifying spots for the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs in November. Those in action this weekend and still hungry to qualify include world number one Daniel Deusser, Marcus Ehning, Olivier Philippaerts, Kent Farrington, Harrie Smolders, Gregory Wathelet, Alberto Zorzi and Eric van der Vleuten.
Valkenswaard, The Netherlands, is the spiritual home of the Longines Global Champions Tour, and has always been a favourite with riders, owners and fans alike. For the 15th season of the world’s premier show jumping series, the world-class, state-of-the-art Tops International Arena will this weekend host its second LGCT event of the year. The superb facilities at the epicentre of equestrianism in Europe, were created by Founder and President Jan Tops and have raised the bar in equestrian sport to new heights.
There will be plenty of home heroes for local fans to cheer on, including 2018 LGCT Grand Prix of Valkenswaard winner Frank Schuttert, Marc Houtzager, Leopold van Asten, Jur Vrieling, Bart Bles as well as Johnny Pals.
Designed with the horse as the top priority, the showground features a exceptional arenas featuring top-class footing, world-class wash areas and facilities for grooms to provide top standard care and over 500 beautifully designed stables available for visiting competitors.
Within the impressive complex, there is a shopping village, refreshments and entertainment areas – all of which are available for everyone in the family to enjoy, and tickets allowing the perfect view of the action under covered grandstands as the 2021 LGCT Championship battle gallops towards the final quarter.
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Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.