The Longines Global Champions Tour and Champions League offers the chance to enjoy the absolute pinnacle of show jumping and a wonderful social occasion to boot.

The world's elite horses and its finest riders compete in an annual 16 leg series staged in some of the world's finest locations.

The prestige of competing for the largest 'prize money pot' on offer attracts Olympic and World equestrian champions along with the crop of up and coming riders.

Longines provides a full day of enthralling competition, with more than ample time to relax in style in the 'village' of high-end equestrian retail stands, quality food trucks and alfresco bars.

For those unable to get to one of the events, GCT TV shows all the action live and via recorded highlights.

Skills and thrills galore - and much more

After a pandemic enforced absence in 2020 the Longines Global Champions Tour returned in 2021 to in majestic style.

This is one of the highlights in the London equestrian and social calendar, as it is when the tournament rolls into one the other cities on its world tour.

While attendance restrictions were applied in some the earlier venues along the way this, thankfully, was not necessary in London where we were able to get to.

Over three days in mid-August fans of the event flocked to the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and we were treated to show jumping of the highest possible calibre.

It is a truly thrilling watch as horse and rider work in complete unison to tackle an intricate course against the clock - and with every jump an individual challenge in its own right.

The winning round can come at any time and from any horse and rider and, when the result comes from a jump off, it is particularly gripping.

And the grandstand seating that surrounds each arenas offers excellent viewing from wherever.

The London venue

Each leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour is staged in an iconic venue that reflects the city concerned.

London is an excellent example of this with the tournament here held on the South Grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, which also stages the annual Chelsea Flower Show

The hospital itself was first founded over 300 years ago by King Charles II as a 'home for soldiers who were unfit for further duty because of injury or old age'.

These Chelsea Pensioners, in their distinctive red and black dress uniforms are inevitably guests of honour at Longines in London.

The other venues

As an example of the other venues the Longines Global Champions Tour of 2021 began at the Al Shaqab arena in Doha, Qatar, in March and Shanghai in late April.

Legs are then staged in Hamburg, Madrid and Ramatuelle/Saint-Tropez in May; Cannes, Stockholm and Paris in June; Monaco and Berlin in July.

London and Valkenswaard come in August and Rome and Mexico City in September.

The LGCT and GCL Championship Finals were then held in New York in late September 2021 with the GC Prague Playoffs in November 2021.

For 2022 dates and venues check out www.gcglobalchampions.com.

The Global Champions Tour

Each Longines Global Champions Tour and Champions League event sees CSI 5* and CSI 2* class competitions on each of its three days.

The CSI 5* is the top level competition, where the top-ranked riders in the world will compete for the highest prize money, over the biggest fences.

These are up to 1.60m which is the highest in the sport.

Each days show jumping starts early morning with the junior classes, where up and coming riders and horses can be put through their paces.

This makes exciting viewing in its own right.

It then builds up in quality, and prize money, to the final 5* events in mid and later afternoon.

Championship ranking points are also on offer, with a win gaining automatic qualification for the GC Prague Playoffs, where the Longines Global Champions Super Grand Prix takes place.

The Global Champions League

The Global Champions League is the team competition unique in show jumping.

Each of the 17 destinations has its own team of five riders, with at least one of the team under 25.

Useful links

​ www.gcglobalchampions.com