An impressive 25 of the 2016 Rio Olympics-named show jumpers will be in action for the Longines Global Champions Tour of Valkenswaard – one of the final CSI5* competitions ahead of this year’s games – before flying directly to Rio. That includes Mclain Ward, Kent Farrington and reserve rider Laura Kraut from the USA, the full German Olympic team, and many other Olympians from around the globe.
Laura Kraut Warming up at Valkenswaard. Stefano Grasso / LGCT
There’s an enormous American contingency beyond our Olympians: Jessica Springsteen, Georgina Bloomberg, Lauren Hough, Emily Moffatt and Paris Sellon are all on site as well for the CSI5* events.
The Tops International Arena (owned by LGCT founder Jan Tops) will also welcome four of its home-grown talents with Harrie Smolders (NED), Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and reserve Gerco Schroder (NED) all competing at the 12th leg of the Tour in what promises to be an incredible weekend of top sport.
Harrie Smolders warming up at Valkenswaard. Stefano Grasso / LGCT
Events are currently streaming on GCT-TV, and a full lineup of events is as follows (times are Eastern Standard Time):
The weekend at Valkenswaard also means the return of the Global Champions League, which will run the following schedule:
Startlists and Results Available Here