New York Makes Sensational Debut on 2019 LGCT and GCL Circuit

LGCT

Photo: The official 2019 LGCT and GCL calendar

New York will make its debut on the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL international calendar in 2019 consolidating the circuit’s presence in the USA, it can be announced today.

Three new cities join the circuit this year – New York, Montreal in Canada and Sweden’s capital city Stockholm –  making a record 20 events for the world’s premier show jumping circuit. After a series of strategic expansions in recent years, the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL series has a significant footprint spanning The Americas, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The new event in New York, one of the world’s greatest cities, will take place on Governors Island, with breathtaking views of the Statue of Liberty and the Lower Manhattan skyline, and will be the prestigious final event of the 2019 regular season.

New York joins existing flagship events in major cities including Paris, London, Shanghai, Madrid, Mexico City, Rome and Doha in Qatar which will now host the spectacular opening leg for 2019 from 28th Feb – 2nd March.

The 172-acre Governors Island in the heart of New York Harbour, close to Manhattan and Brooklyn, is a former military base transformed into a venue for sport, art, culture and includes the beautiful new Hills area rising up to 70 feet above sea level with panoramic views of the historic harbour.

Jan Tops, President of LGCT and Co-Founder of GCL said: “We are proud to announce our 2019 calendar including one of the world’s foremost and dynamic cities, New York, as well as the new events in Montreal and Stockholm bringing our circuit to 20 events this season.

“We are committed to bringing show jumping to new fans and digital and TV audiences around the world by staging our events in these breathtaking venues in iconic destinations including some of the greatest capital cities. It is a core part of our mission to contribute towards a growing and sustainable future for the sport and to continue to see benefits for all stakeholders from riders to grooms, owners, sponsors and, of course, our passionate and loyal fans.

“The LGCT and GCL series in 2018 was incredible with top-level sport at all events. The première of the new GC Prague Playoffs at the O2 Arena was a game changer for our sport and it was fantastic to hear the positive feedback from riders, sponsors and fans. We look forward to a fantastic 2019 season.”

The prestigious opening leg of the 2019 series will be staged at the magnificent AL SHAQAB in Doha. The Qatari capital will host the high profile curtain raiser for the LGCT and GCL season at its world class equestrian facility.

The 2018 series of the LGCT and GCL delivered stunning new levels of competition with the best riders and horses guaranteed at every event. Fans were treated to innovative and entertaining analysis accompanied by new virtual graphics and special behind-the-scenes content with the top human and equine athletes.

In an astonishing double during the regular season Great Britain’s Ben Maher won the LGCT Championship in 2018 as an individual rider and was also pivotal to the victory of the GCL team London Knights.

At the GC Prague Playoffs 16 of the top riders from the season qualified for the new LGCT Super Grand Prix with Edwina Tops-Alexander emerging victorious in the individual showdown. And it was Madrid in Motion who won the final of the new GCL Super Cup after a tough series of qualifying rounds.

The new GCL teams for the 2019 championship will be revealed soon as fans across the world get ready for the start of one of the most epic seasons in the history of the circuit.