© LGCT / Stefano Grasso

The spectacular destination of Shanghai plays host to the fourth round on competition in the 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour season. Truly global in every sense of the world, the LGCT reaches incredible locations, with this event in the heart of Shanghai’s city no exception.

Earlier, a press conference featuring top riders and local officials officially opened the three day feast of show jumping, in front of a packed audience of media. The Tour kicks off Friday at 12:45 local time, with the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Shanghai taking place on Saturday at 13:30 local time. The Global Champions League, which will see home team Shanghai Swans looking to repeat their Mexico win, will kick off on Sunday at 12:45 local time.

Jan Tops, Longines Global Champions Tour Founder and President: "It is an honour to be back in Shanghai for the 3rd edition of the Longines Global Champions Tour. Already the first events of the championship have been a great success in Miami Beach, a spectacular new venue in Mexico City and Antwerp. LGCT showcases the best of our sport and we have already witnessed incredible accuracy, speed and precision timing. Now we return to Shanghai and continue together to build a tradition for excellence in equestrianism for the future in China. Shanghai is a dynamic destination and it is important to bring show jumping to city centres to new audiences.

?"The 2016 season highlights the huge growth in show jumping around the world. This weekend in Shanghai there are top riders from 18 countries taking part. We are truly global. Top athletes from Brazil to Belgium. From Australia to Colombia. From Germany to Qatar. And I am personally delighted to see Chinese riders competing alongside the world’s best athletes at this important stage in the series. We all wish them every success. Each year we appreciate the improvements at the show ground with high quality world class facilities and an amazing atmosphere. Thanks to the genuine passion of the fans who have a real appreciation for the riders and incredible horses. 2016 has also seen the launch of the new Global Champions League team competition, which is a hit with fans and riders. The format is easy to understand making it accessible to everyone.

"I want to express my sincere thanks to the Government of China and the City of Shanghai, and our partners Juss Events. The event will be broadcast on TV in China as well as on national and international channels worldwide. I would also like to thank our Title Partner and Official Timekeeper Longines for their continued support. Our first event here in China in 2014 it was a truly historic moment. I thank the authorities and all involved in the transportation and care of the horses as welfare is our top priority."

Mr. Sun Weimin, Deputy Director of Shanghai Administration of Sports said: "I would like to sincerely welcome all riders, tournament officials, media, spectators and partners to Shanghai on behalf of Shanghai Juss Co., Ltd. I wish all of you an enjoyable and memorable weekend. The Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour is the highest level 5 star show jumping event , as well as the most influential and enjoyable top equestrian competition ever held in Chinese mainland. Since the event’s inaugurate year of 2014, more and more top ranking riders and horses has come to Shanghai. The quality of the competition has been appreciated by all parties and the elegant and passionate atmosphere has made it a world focal point. Now, top riders and horses have gathered again here in Shanghai, to challenge the world class obstacles and compete for the championship and glory. The new Global Champions League will debut on Sunday, to showcase a united Olympic spirit and exciting competitions."
 
Mr. Jiang Lan, Vice President of Shanghai Jiushi (Group) Co., Ltd. CEO of Shanghai Juss Event Management spoke: "I would like to warmly welcome all riders, judges, officials of International Equestrian Federation, friends from all around the world on behalf of Modern Pentathlon and Equestrian Training Base of Cycling and Fencing Administration Center and China Equestrian association. By 2015, Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour has been successfully held for 2 years, constantly promoted the development of China Equestrian sport. This year’s tournament is till the highest level of steeplechase under the International Equestrian Federation. It attracts the most outstanding riders from all over the world, which is no doubt increase now bright spot for the tour. All the riders with their horses will compete and communicate in the show jumping arena in the Shanghai Expo park,to present the most exciting equestrian tournament in Chinese mainland. Shanghai Longines Global Champions Tour can’t be so successful without the support of Shanghai administration of sports and the organizer Shanghai Juss Event Management Co.ltd, as well as the sponsor Longines. I do believe this year’s tournament will be more wonderful.

"I wish at the occasion of the rapid developing of China equestrian sport, Chinese and foreign riders can have wider communications, learn from each other, deepen the cooperation and improve friendship if we improve the competitive level of equestrian tournament quickly.”

?Scott Brash (GBR): “It’s very important for our sport to come to China, as it’s a Global Champions Tour. I think it’s also good for the people of China that the sport has come here - all together we can help each other raise the profile of our sport. I must say I came here last year to Shanghai and I thought the audience were fantastic. As riders it’s great to see, so I think I speak on behalf of all the riders  in that we enjoy coming here and competing here.”

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED): “For me it’s the first time here, I was very impressed when I came. [With the GCT] there are always different locations; it’s very important that the facilities for the horses have to be right. The stables are very nice for the horses, there’s a lot of space, the boxes are nice and big. The warm up and the main arena are big enough, and for us as a rider it’s nice to show on. The footing seems to be good and I’m really looking forward to great sport this weekend."

?Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS): “This is the 3rd year I’ve competed here in Shanghai and it’s an amazing atmosphere. You have a crowd who is very interested and enthusiastic. Having two riders here from China in the 5*, representing the country, is fantastic - it’s great for the sport and it’s great for the audience. There’s a lot of interest from the public from the previous years and everyone is looking forward to coming back.

“On Sunday we have the GCL and the League - I’m representing the Shanghai Swans so hopefully we’ll have a lot of support there as well! It’s special to be able to bring the sport here, and have a lot of people interested and involved. It’s important that we have global venues - we had Mexico, which was our first event there, and was very successful a few weeks ago. The Shanghai Swans won. We’re very excited and happy to be back here again.”

Zhiwen Zhao (CHN): “It’s a great honour to compete here with the GCT and top riders, including Olympic Gold and Silver medallists and World Champions. It’s a great chance to compete with them. I’m a little nervous but I’ll give it my all and am very much looking forward to the competition!”
 

Source: LGCT media release