2016 Cannes Arena: LGCT / Stefano Grasso
An A-list line up of show jumping superstars will head to the sparkling destination of Cannes this week as the overall battle for the Championship takes the spotlight.
Just a stone’s throw from the world-famous La Croisette, the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League of Cannes event is a remarkable combination of glamour and top-class sport. Held under the effervescent evening lights, the very best horses and riders in the world take centre stage for the sixth round in the 15-leg Championship.
All eyes will be on the fiercely contested LGCT Ranking battle as current leader Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) returns to the series to defend his narrow 9 point lead. His nearest rivals, Dutch duo Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and Harrie Smolders (NED), are snapping at the Italian’s heels and with 40 valuable points up for grabs with a Grand Prix win, both are in touching distance of overturning the current leaderboard.
2016 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes winner Scott Brash (GBR) will head to the sparkling Riviera destination to fight to keep his name in the lights, after a breath-taking performance with Hello Forever last year saw fans on the edge of their seats. With the firecracker chestnut gelding leaping and bounding his way around the tight sand arena, Scott pulled off a masterclass jump-off, securing a stunning Grand Prix win.
Olympic legend Ludger Beerbaum (GER) will head to the first of the French LGCT and GCL events, where he will also be representing the Global Champions League home team Cannes Stars. Alongside him will be Longines Ambassador of Elegance Jane Richard Philips (SUI), with both hoping to impress on home turf and rise up the overall GCL rankings. Fresh from his win at LGCT Hamburg, but without the recently retired Casall, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) will head to Cannes to compete under the spotlight and put himself back in contention to keep hold of the LGCT Champion of Champions crown.
With a cavalcade of stars in action for the sixth round of the 2017 Championship, the evening event promises an exhilarating weekend of top sport and entertainment. Christian Ahlmann (GER), Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), Marcus Ehning (GER), Ben Maher (GBR), Simon Delestre (FRA), Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Pénélope Leprevost (FRA), Daniel Deusser (GER) and Kevin Staut (FRA) all add their names to the A-listers in attendance, and with the likes of LGCT Grand Prix of Miami Beach winner Jerome Guery (BEL) and Rio Olympic medallist Philippe Rozier (FRA) heading to the unique location, the sixth leg of the 15-event Championship will sparkle as the fight for supremacy intensifies.
US Riders in Cannes This Week:
Positioned close to the Mediterranean Port of Cannes and the super-yachts in the bay, the first of the French events of the Tour is a very special horse show in the heart of the French Riviera.The original ‘International Show Jumping of Cannes’ was one of the world’s richest horse shows, with prize money continuing to increase since the show joined the Tour. Now a regular fixture on the LGCT calendar, the show has grown every year and welcomes over 15,000 visitors though its gates each summer.
Drawn by the incredible level of sport on offer and the collection of international show jumping stars in attendance, visitors enjoy the ambience, glamour and nightlife of this famous city, home of course to the dazzling Cannes Film Festival. Last year the spotlight shone on Great Britain’s top rider, Olympic Gold Medallist Scott Brash (GBR) after he put in a breath-taking performance with Hello Forever to win the prestigious Grand Prix. Which names will be added to the star-studded list of previous winners here?
For the weekend schedule and timings, please click here.
For the full rider list, please click here.
See some of the early arrivals at Cannes Below!