Championship Battle Heads to the City of Light as Star-Studded Paris Line-Up Confirmed
Mdmar – LGCT – Paris
The race for the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship reaches a pivotal moment as the world’s best riders prepare to descend on Paris from 19–21 June for one of the most prestigious stops on the calendar. Set beneath the iconic Eiffel Tower, the Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping promises three days of elite sport, unforgettable atmosphere and crucial Championship points as the season enters its decisive phase.
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With the battle for the overall title intensifying after thrilling contests in Miami Beach, Mexico City, Shanghai, Madrid, Cannes and St Tropez, every point will matter in Paris. Championship leader Abdel Said arrives as the man to beat, with the Belgian continuing his remarkable rise at the top of the standings. Close behind, Max Kuhner will be looking to close the gap, while former LGCT Champion Edwina Tops-Alexander brings invaluable experience to the title race.
French hopes will rest heavily on home hero Ines Joly, who has enjoyed a great season so far and will have the Paris crowd firmly behind her. Joining her in a formidable French contingent are Grégory Cottard, former LGCT Grand Prix winners Julien Epaillard and the likes of Roger-Yves Bost, Pénélope Leprévost, Marc Dilasser, Olivier Perreau, Alexa Ferrer and Mégane Moissonnier.
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The international challenge is led by some of the sport’s biggest names. Henrik von Eckermann returns to Paris alongside fellow championship contenders Victor Bettendorf, Sophie Hinners, Daniel Deusser and Christian Ahlmann. Former LGCT Champion Scott Brash add proven championship-winning pedigree, while Peder Fredricson, Denis Lynch, Bertram Allen, Cian O’Connor and Philipp Weishaupt ensure the field is packed with experience and firepower.
Belgium’s incredible strength in depth is once again on display with Gilles Thomas, Thibault Philippaerts, Nicola Philippaerts, Niels Bruynseels and Zoe Conter all set to compete. Meanwhile, rising stars including Tom Wachman, Nathan Budd, Kendra Claricia Brinkop, Kim Emmen continue their pursuit of breakthrough performances on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
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With nearly €1 million in prize money, a sold-out crowd expected and the Championship race delicately poised, Paris represents far more than another stop on the Tour. Historically, the French capital has often proven a turning point in the race for the LGCT title, rewarding riders who can thrive under pressure in one of the most spectacular arenas in world sport.
As the season approaches its halfway mark, the stage is set for another unforgettable chapter in the 2026 Championship story. The world’s best are coming to Paris – and the battle for Longines Global Champions Tour glory is about to reach new heights.
FAST FACTS: LGCT – Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping
- Dates: 19–21 June 2026
- Venue: Champ de Mars, Paris
- CSI5* Riders: 60+
- Course Designer: Gregory Bodo
- Total Prize Money: €979,500
- Championship Stage: 7 of 16
Can’t make it to Paris? Watch every round live and on demand with GCTV, featuring exclusive behind-the-scenes access, expert analysis and unrivalled coverage from the heart of the Longines Global Champions Tour.
*“mdmar” website for horse racing and equestrian News The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain
