Photo: LGCT / Stefano Grasso
The countdown is on to the spectacular new GC Playoffs in Prague in one month as riders and teams start the final preparations for the biggest showdown in show jumping.
All eyes will be on the first-ever indoor event on the circuit which will be staged just before Christmas at the O2 Arena in the Czech capital city from 13th - 16th December with an unprecedented 12 million euros in prize money.
A star-studded cast of the world’s top riders will be competing in the new Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix which will be a power-packed contest of the biggest talents from the LGCT series.
LGCT Super Grand Prix qualifier and Prague Lions rider Peder Fredricson said: "To win any of these shows you really have to be prepared to get out of your comfort zone - none of the riders are going to give away a victory so you have to go in and fight for it.
"For sure everyone comes to ride that class to win it. We’ll hope to have our horses in the best shape, and ourselves in the best shape, and of course we’ll try to win it."
Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix
Scott Brash (Mexico City winner)
Edwina Tops-Alexander (Miami Beach winner)
Gregory Wathelet (Shanghai winner)
Ben Maher (Madrid winner)
Harrie Smolders (Hamburg winner)
Carlos Lopez (Saint Tropez 2nd place after Maher won again)
Peder Fredricson (Cannes winner)
Nicola Philippaerts (Cascais winner)
Shane Breen (Monaco winner)
Sameh El Dahan (Paris winner)
Daniel Deusser (Chantilly 2nd place after N. Philippaerts won again)
Alberto Zorzi (Berlin winner)
Ludger Beerbaum (London 3rd place after Brash and Fredricson took 1st and 2nd)
Frank Schuttert (Valkenswaard Winner)
Henrik von Eckermann (Rome 2nd place after Maher won again)
Lorenzo de Luca (Doha 4th place after top three already qualified)
And the 16 teams out of 19 qualified for the thrilling GCL Super Cup are now underway with last minute tactics and strategy as final decisions are made on which horse and rider combinations to field for the Playoffs:
GCL Super Cup Qualifiers
1/ London Knights
2/ Valkenswaard United
3/ Miami Celtics
4/ Rome Gladiators
5/ Shanghai Swans
6/ Montreal Diamonds
7/ Scandinavian Vikings
8/ St Tropez Pirates
9/ Prague Lions
10/ Madrid in Motion
11/ Berlin Eagles
12/ Doha Fursan Qatar
13/ Monaco Aces
14/ Paris Panthers
15/ Cannes Stars
16/ New York Empire
The introduction of the GC Prague Playoffs will see the LGCT Super Grand Prix take centre stage on Saturday 15th December, with a thrilling light show, entertainment and high octane sport featuring the best athletes and horses in the world. Over the course of the four day event, fans will witness a roller-coaster of eliminations for the GCL team series, featuring upsets and glory as teams battle through the quarter final, semi-final and final stages.
Limited tickets are still available, for more information and to book your place at the ultimate showdown, please click here.