The Top 30 riders in the world will be out in force for the 10th stage of the world’s premier show jumping championship circuit.

Agencies/Lausanne, Switzerland

Rivalry between the leading riders is hotter than ever with only two points separating current ranking leader Laura Kraut (USA) and Christian Ahlmann (GER). They are among the very best in international show jumping today heading for Lausanne, Switzerland, next week.

The Swiss leg is one of the last critical points of the 2013 Longines Global Champions Tour series and the competition will be intense. Champions US rider Laura won the debut Grand Prix in Lausanne in 2012 on her superstar Cedric and has already proved herself a formidable opponent this year by winning in Wiesbaden and coming 2nd in Madrid. She said: “I am really looking forward to going back to Lausanne and to be back on top and in the lead again.”

It will be the second time the championship circuit has landed in Lausanne and the rivalry this season is hotter than ever. Different riders have won each Grand Prix during the series and there is all to play for in the overall championship when €1 million will be divided between the top 18 riders at the final event in November.

All the top-level Five Star action will take place against the spectacular backdrop of the Alps and Lake Geneva with all the great equestrian nations represented. The thrilling battle for the championship will step up another gear at the Bellerive show ground and once again riders and horses will be tested by a complete change of surface. They will face a switch from the large grass arena of the previous leg in Valkenswaard to the compact sand arena in Lausanne, where course designer Luc Musette is sure to present a serious technical challenge.

On Saturday evening (September 14th) the €285,000 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Lausanne will once again draw the crowds and the public grandstands and the VIP Hospitality lodges are expected to be packed. There will be enthusiastic support for Swiss home riders including Pius Schwizer, Steve Guerdat and Jane Richard Philips.

The prestigious event is sure to attract a chic crowd and French actor Guillaume Canet will be riding in the amateur competitions in Lausanne and has already participated on the Tour in Chantilly, Cannes and Monte-Carlo. Speaking about the Longines Global Champions Tour Guillaume, who is often accompanied at events by his actress wife Marion Cotillard, said: “These are extraordinary events for us as amateurs. We are riding among the great professionals and it is very instructive. When I have finished my classes, I stay to watch and to learn.”

So far this season different riders have been in the No1 spot on the podium setting up a tantalising climax to the season at the final stage in Qatar in November:

Michael Whitaker (Madrid), Christian Ahlmann (Hamburg), Laura Kraut (Wiesbaden), Ben Maher (London), Marcus Ehning (Cannes), Richard Spooner (Monte-Carlo), Henrik von Eckermann (Estoril), Beezie Madden (Chantilly) and Alvaro de Miranda (Valkenswaard).

 

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