April 13, 2016 – Mexico City, Mexico – Known for extraordinary and unique locations, the Longines Global Champions Tour expands its world reach this season. As the Tour welcomes Mexico City to its elite list of stops, in return Mexico City warmly welcomes this tremendous opportunity to host the world’s best in the sport of show jumping.
From the expansive grass field to the high flying flag, the historic Campo Marte is an ideal site for world-class competition. Set in the magnificent Chapultepec Park in the center of Mexico City, the magnificent grounds offer plenty of space for an event of this magnitude, with a plethora of sites to see in the area.
At 686 hectares (1,695 acres) Chapultepec Park is one of the largest parks in the Western Hemisphere. Like Central Park in New York City, this urban park is a much needed ecological green space in a bustling metropolis. Receiving upwards of 15 million visitors each year, Chapultepec is home to the Zoo, Museum of Anthropology, Rufino Tamayo Museum, Modern Art Museum, Natural History Museum and more. Plus, the land serves as a refuge for up to 60 species of migratory birds from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, and is the home for many Montezuma Cypress trees, some that were planted by the Aztecs. Quite a bit of history lies within Chapultepec, dating back to the 15th century. Next to the Park lies the National Auditorium that hosts sporting and cultural events from the Caribbean Games to the Miss Universe pageant, and an impressive list of concerts.
The historic and unique military field called Campo Marte proudly flies a Mexican flag at its center that is 50m (164ft) x 28m (92ft) on a flagpole at 100m (328ft) high. It was the site for the individual dressage and show jumping events for the 1968 Olympic Games. In 2008 hundreds of polo ponies galloped up and down the grass field during the World Polo Championship. However, it has been eight years since the area has been used for a major event. With Los Pinos, the house and office of the President, only a half mile away, the field is most often used as a landing pad for helicopters with political leaders on board. The government just recently considered the idea of hosting private events, with LGCT Mexico being the first international showcase at Campo Marte in years.
As is often the case when the LGCT comes to a magnificent setting, and not always at an equestrian facility, launching an event of this magnitude is nothing short of phenomenal. Welcoming close to 200 horses and 120 athletes representing 25 countries in both 2* and 5* competitions, requires arranging flights, hotels and transportation. As always horse welfare is a top priority. With first class conditions for the stars of show jumping, many horses travelled on a specially chartered flight from Miami Beach to Mexico City. Industry experts Peden Bloodstock once again made certain that the transition to the facility was seamless, with world class vets on hand around the clock to supervise the horses. Assuring that every need for top level competitors is attended to, the footing, from the warm-up areas to the show arena, is exceptional.
Hosting riders, owners and their staff, who have competed at the best venues in Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games as well as previous years of exquisite Longines Global Champions Tour locations, plus VIP Guests, including a list of political dignitaries, requires attention to detail on a massive scale. From security to shopping, selling tickets to building the VIP areas, every aspect has come together. All parties involved are proud to present the first ever Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League in Mexico, April 14 – 17, 2016.