Bologna, December 16, 2020 – Everybody wants to leave this terrible 2020 behind but cancellations in the first part of the year are not helping. Luckly, today, the new calendar for all Global Champions events – Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL team series – has been unveiled.
The prestigious circuit will travel around the world with its 16 events and everybody is just waiting for it: riders and showjumping fans.
Jan Tops, President of LGCT and GCL, said: «We are pleased to announce our dates for 2021 and to look forward to a new season with confidence and excitement, but also with humility. I know all our stakeholders and especially our loyal fans are looking forward to a fresh start with a new season after such a difficult year for everyone due to the global pandemic. We are working closely with our host cities and organizing partners to deliver a welcome return to top-level show jumping with robust health and safety protocols. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support including our sponsors and team owners».
The kick off event in Doha (4-6 March) will see the first LGCT Grand Prix of the year and an intriguing look at the form of top riders and horses. GCL teams will go into battle over two rounds with new strategies to take them to victory in 2021.
Shanghai (30 April-2 May dates TBC) will be followed by five months across Europe touching down in dynamic capital cities and beautiful Riviera destinations.
May takes in Hamburg (12-16 May), Madrid (21-23 May) and Ramatuelle/Saint-Tropez (27-29 May). Early summer will see events in Cannes (3-5 June), Stockholm (18-20 June), Paris (25-27 June). Heading further south the circuit travels to Monaco (1-3 July), before moving to Germany’s capital Berlin (22-25 July) and the UK’s capital city London (13-15 August).
Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard (20-22 August) will be another supreme test for the best on the high tech new grass arena surface before Rome (9-12 September). The circuit then moves to Mexico City (16-19 September) and the LGCT and GCL Championship Finals in New York (24-26 September) with the breathtaking backdrop of the Statue of Liberty and Lower Manhattan skyline.
All roads lead to the GC Prague Playoffs (18-21 November) and the supreme test of the GCL Super Cup and the LGCT Super Grand Prix with a huge prize purse.
Organizers recommend everybody to stay tuned: all the action, including the GCL R1 & R2 and the LGCT Grand Prix, will be streamed live on GCTV at every event