Longines Global Champions Tour returns to London

The Longines Global Champions Tour returns to London this week in the historic grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

Spectacular setting

The spectacular setting, in front of Sir Christopher Wren’s listed buildings and next to the River Thames, will host an action-packed weekend of showjumping, with the biggest names in the sport.

Riding for Britain we have Olympic Gold medallists Scott Brash and Ben Maher as well as the legendary John Whitaker. They will be joined by up-and-coming young rider Emily Moffit.

International names to look out for include world number one Kent Farrington, Ludger Beerbaum, Harrie Smolders, Marcus Ehning, Eric Lamaze and Maikel van der Vleuten.

London Knights

The big class of the four-day 5* show is the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, which H&C will be showing highlights of on 12 August at 9pm.

There is also the exciting Global Champions League team competition, where you will have the chance to cheer on the home team. The London Knights will be wearing a distinctive red team kit, which matches the famous scarlet-coated Chelsea Pensioners.

Royal Hospital Chelsea was founded by King Charles II over 300 years ago, and it provides care and comradeship for the retired soldiers of the British Army.

Fantastic atmosphere

London hosted events at Syon Park in 2015, Horse Guards Parade Ground in 2014 and the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2013. The new 2o17 venue at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Scott Brash described as “incredible”.

“To have an event of this level in the heart of London like this, is something really special,” he said. “The GCT brings together the best of the best riders in the world, to the best locations around the world, so it’s only fitting we have a world-class stage like this for the British leg of the Tour and to have the UK on this international circuit.

“I can’t wait to compete here in front of our home fans. I hope we get a great crowd to make a really fantastic atmosphere for this important event in our sport.”

Don’t miss GCT 2017: London when it comes to H&C TV. The show premieres on 12 August at 9pm on Sky 253, or you can watch online via H&C Play or Amazon Video.