Top Show Jumpers Leap into Portugal at LGCT Stop on Atlantic Coast

In the first part of the 20th Century, the Atlantic coast destination, 25 minutes from Portugal’s capital, attracted aristrocrats, playboys and spies from various countries. More recently, it has grown into an internationally-renowned spot for world-class sporting events, hosting America’s Cup sailing, golf, tennis, surfing and motorsports. And after winding its way from Mexico City to Miami Beach, Shanghai to Madrid, Hamburg to Cannes, and Monaco to Paris, the elite Global Champions Show Jumping Tour is touching down in Portugal for its latest Show this Friday and Saturday, July 7-8.

On the schedule Friday morning at 10 a.m. local time, a 1.45m Speed Class, Against the Clock with prize money of €25,000 up for grabs. Then at 8:30 p.m. local time, the Global Champions League of Cascais Round 1 — 1.55m with a jump-off (€154,000 is available to individual class winners). On Saturday evening, the Global Champions League of Cascais Final takes place with obstacles set at 1.55/1.60m (a total of €180,000 will be awarded to individual class winners, plus €200,000 to teams). As well as points in the GCL standings, 25 horse-and-rider pairs will qualify for the €300,000 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cascais (1.60m Against the clock with jump-off) later in the evening, at 9:30 p.m. Portugal time. 

A starry line-up of the world’s best Show Jumping combinations will be at the Hipódromo Manuel Possolo in Portugal for the competition, including current LGCT rankings leader Harrie Smolders of the Netherlands, who when he was 16 years old chose equestrian sports over a potential football career. For Great Britain, World No.8 Scott Brash will lead a group which also includes Ben Maher, Emily Moffitt and Alexandra Thornton. Ireland’s two representatives, Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor, will similarly have a great shot at the podium. For the home nation, Luciana Diniz and Duarte Seabra will be taking on their world-class visitors. 

Cascais e Estoril is the ninth leg of the Tour and League, the latter currently led by the St. Tropez Pirates team, with 6 stops left: Chantilly, France, Berlin, London, Valkenswaard, the Netherlands, and Rome in Europe, before finishing up in Doha, Qatar in November, where the 2017 Champion of Champions will be determined. For more information on viewing options for this weekend’s competition, see here.