A feast of show jumping in Valkenswaard

Edwina Alexander...leads the rankings with 195 points

Agencies/Valkenswaard, NetherlandsTwo weeks of top class international show jumping competitions are set to take place at Stal Tops in Valkenswaard commencing with the Horse Festival 5-7 August followed by the International Concours Valkenswaard 12-14th August.Held at the base of Jan Tops, founder of the world show jumping series Global Champions Tour, Valkenswaard is about more than just show jumping.  The Valkenswaard region benefits from the increased tourism aspects and economic opportunities presented. The Netherlands has become globally identified as a country that draw-cards a round of the Global Champions Tour mega show jumping events.Jan Tops, President of the Global Champions Tour proudly invests great efforts along with his team to present one of the most renowned events in Europe. “It is my great pleasure to welcome people to the home of the Global Champions Tour here in Valkenswaard for the 8th leg of the 2011 season.The best riders in the world will gather here to compete for important ranking points and the highest prize money in the sport of show jumping.”“As well as top-level international show jumping, CSI Valkenswaard offers top class facilities for riders and horses, a fantastic atmosphere for spectators and high quality VIP entertainment for our sponsors and their guests,” Jan added. “Once again the GCT team at Stal Tops headquarters have pulled out all the stops to deliver a distinctive and exciting weekend for everyone at the International Concours Valkenswaard. And this year we have raised standards even further with a new high-tech surface for the main arena.”The heritage of the International Concours Valkenswaard goes back some 18 years with the addition of the Horse Festival Valkenswaard 10 years ago and what is stirring about the two weeks of top jumping is the respect shown by those who attend. The heavily condensed program furnishes the best riders and horses making the event appealing to international industry players, well-versed spectators and the general public looking for a pleasurable sporting day out.The Horse Festival presents CSI2* show jumping classes within Big, Medium and Small tour sections along with Special Invitational and Young Horse events. The International Concours extends a similar program with the addition of  5* events with the hallmark Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of The Netherlands presented by the VDL Groep, that is set to commence on Saturday 13th August at 14h15. This feature event marks the 8th round of the 10 event series held across 9 countries and is broadcast via Eurosport on Saturday 13th August at 21h00 (CEST) as well as the first round made available online at www.globalchampionstour.com. Sponsoring partner Jaeger-LeCoultre bring a specially engraved timepiece, the Reverso watch, which will be presented to the winner of the GCT Grand Prix of Netherlands.Perfect arena conditions prevail, albeit unseasonal wet weather, with the newly surfaced main arena ready for the attending 200 or more riders and their teams, 500 horses and around 30,000 spectators. The public can browse through the trade stand area that offer the latest equestrian products and apparel, enjoy a glass of champagne in the ‘Top Gun’ bar and children can enjoy the specially constructed playground zone.  Along with the sport of show jumping they all contribute to make this a festive and spirited event.Global Champions Tour Rankings – top 18 riders after 7th leg (Chantilly): 1. Edwina Alexander (AUS) 195; 2. Ludger Beerbaum (GER) 186.50; 3 Luciana Diniz (POR) 186; 4. Alvaro de Miranda (BRA) 144; 5. Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE) 142; 6.     Denis Lynch (IRL) 141; 7. Christian Ahlmann (GER) 135; 8. Billy Twomey (IRL) 124; 9. Kevin Staut (FRA) 120 and Marco Kutscher (GER) 120; 11. Pius Schwizer (SUI)  119; 12. Philipp Weishaupt (GER) 116; 13. Clarissa Crotta (SUI) 114; 14. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) 106; 15. Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA) 103; 16. Judy-Ann Melchior (BEL) 87; 17. Marcus Ehning (GER) 84; 18. Gerco Schroder (NED) 83