The Longines Global Champions League, or GCL, is a highly anticipated international showjumping series that features the best of the best competing for victory. The competition is made up of internationally acclaimed riders, split into 16 teams where they compete across 16 legs including the final playoffs in Prague to claim the title of champions. As we look ahead to the start of the 6th season, the 2021 teams have been announced and some exciting changes have been made.
With competitions spread across the world from Qatar to France, America to Shanghai, and Sweden to Mexico, the season is filled with intense showjumping, roaring crowds and incredible, jaw-dropping venues. Starting their season in Doha, Qatar, from the 4th to 6th of March, running concurrently with the Longines Global Champions Tour, the teams will battle it out to claim victory and their share of the season’s prize purse of €25.9 million.
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The major name changes for 2021 include the move of Eric Lamaze to the Cascais Charms while the Dutch champion, Frank Schuttert, joins the Scandinavian Vikings. The Cannes Stars have also looked to improve their chances, after losing Jane Richard Philips to the Berlin Eagles, by pursuing a double signing in Cian O’Connor, the speedy Irishman, and the winner of the Paris Grand Prix, Sameh El Dahan. The iconic German rider, Christian Ahlmann, has also made a switch this season to join the Shanghai Swans while the Prague Lions have called in Leopold van Asten to strengthen their team.
While the global pandemic is still in full effect the Global Champions president, Jan Tops, issued a statement to say that they remain in contact with national governments to ensure the health and safety of everyone involved with the competition. On top of the health aspects, the GCL has also continued their commitment to the growth and development of the showjumping sport, by insisting each team field at least one U25 rider. The incredible nature of this competition is that over 75% of the competitors (not including the U25 riders) are ranked in the top 250 riders in the world and, 23 of the top 30 best riders all participate in this series.
The London Knights have made no changes to their winning 2019 team which includes Ben Maher, Olivier and Nicola Philippaerts, Martin Fuchs, Cameron Hanley, and their U25 talent, Emily Moffitt. The Shanghai Swans, however, have looked to improve their chances at the championship title this year by signing Christian Ahlmann to join Pius Schwizer, Margie Goldstein-Engle, Max Kuhner, Alexandra Thornton, and Lucas Portner(U25).
For the full team line ups, click HERE.
The individual competitions will also see some of the best showjumping the world has to offer as riders try to earn their spot in the final playoffs for a grand prize of €1.25 million. Jan Tops, President of the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL, made a point of thanking Longines for their long-time partnership of the series and continued by thanking the official Longines timekeeper as well.
While crowds may no longer be able to attend the event in person, all the action will be live-streamed on the official GCTV platform. The stream will be available in multiple languages, have full replays available, and enable viewers to set personalised reminders about riders, teams, and all the available action. This showjumping series is definitely not to be missed as, on top of the team purse and individual purse, there will also be an incredible €6 million available in prize monies at the GCL Super Cup at the Global Champions Tour Prague Playoffs.
-The Jumpoff-
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