Mexico City will again take centre stage in international show jumping this week when the Longines Global Champions Tour returns to Campo Marte from 16–19 April, drawing many of the sport’s leading names for the second stop of the 2026 championship season.
Set in one of the most recognisable venues on the circuit, the wide grass arena at Campo Marte has become a favourite among riders and spectators alike. Framed by the energy of the Mexican capital, the competition combines elite sport with a setting unlike any other on the calendar, and organisers are expecting strong crowds across the four-day fixture.
This year’s meeting carries added significance. The 2026 campaign marks 20 years of the Longines Global Champions Tour, while Mexico City celebrates a decade as part of the travelling championship. With the title race only just beginning to take shape, early points and momentum could prove valuable by season’s end.
There is also a broader cultural backdrop to the week, with the event included in the Qatar–Canada–Mexico 2026 Year of Culture initiative, which highlights sport’s ability to connect nations and communities.
Germany’s Katrin Eckermann arrives as the current series leader after her victory in the Grand Prix of Miami Beach and will attempt to strengthen her position in Mexico. Confidence is high, but the chasing pack is already close behind.
Among those nearest to her is Britain’s Jack Whitaker, who sits second in the standings and continues to underline his growing reputation on the senior stage. Reigning 2025 champion Gilles Thomas also returns, aiming to reassert himself among the front-runners.
The home challenge will be led by Carlos Hank Guerreiro and Nicolás Pizarro, two riders certain to enjoy vocal support whenever they enter the arena. Mexican fans have long embraced this event, and local contenders have often risen to the occasion in front of their own crowd.
Germany’s squad looks particularly strong. Christian Kukuk begins his 2026 Tour campaign this week, joined by Philipp Weishaupt and Sophie Hinners in a deep and accomplished line-up.
Experience will be plentiful elsewhere. Britain fields Jessica Mendoza and Ben Maher, while Max Kühner, Jur Vrieling, Maikel van der Vleuten, Victor Bettendorf, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Pieter Devos, Niels Bruynseels, Simon Delestre, Abdel Saïd and Cian O’Connor add further quality to an already distinguished field.
Several riders also return with proven form in Mexico City. Niels Bruynseels and Maikel van der Vleuten have both recorded podium finishes at this venue, while Jérôme Guéry knows what it takes to win here after his 2019 success.
The younger generation will also be well represented through Yali Kass, Clara Pezzoli, Íñigo López de la Osa, Sara Vingralkova and Max Wachman, all seeking to make their mark on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
As the Longines Global Champions Tour Mexico City meeting approaches, the ingredients are in place for a compelling week: established champions, ambitious challengers, home hopes and the first real pressure points of a season that is only beginning to unfold.
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