Valkenswaard will take centre stage in Dutch show jumping from September 4 to 6, with the international circuit returning to its long-established Dutch venue for a three-day programme that will receive live national coverage on Sunday.
Global Champions Tour Valkenswaard is set for Sunday, September 6.
The Grand Prix will be shown live from 1:30pm on the Dutch public broadcaster’s television and online platforms, giving a wider audience the opportunity to follow one of the season’s major show jumping fixtures. The meeting also falls in the 20th anniversary year of Global Champions, adding further significance to a venue that has played an important role in the series since its early years.
For Dutch rider Harrie Smolders, Valkenswaard carries an especially strong connection. The former champion returns to the arena after a memorable 2025 victory in the Grand Prix, when Smolders and Monaco produced the only double-clear performance of the competition.
The result was particularly significant because the combination had finished second in the same class the previous year. Their return in 2025 brought a different outcome, with the pair completing both rounds without a fence down to claim victory in front of a packed Dutch crowd.
That performance added another chapter to Monaco’s distinguished career. The partnership has developed over several seasons, combining experience and consistency at major international meetings and building a reputation for producing their best work when the pressure is greatest.
Valkenswaard has remained closely linked with the development of Global Champions since the series was founded in 2006 by Olympic champion Jan Tops. Over two decades, the circuit has expanded across continents, but the Dutch venue continues to occupy an important place in its history.
The 2026 meeting will feature CSI1*, CSI2* and CSI5* competition across the three days, building towards the Grand Prix on Sunday afternoon. Friday will also feature the team competition, providing another major attraction during the weekend.
The Grand Prix arrives at an important stage of the 2026 championship. With the season moving towards its decisive stages, the leading combinations will be looking to add valuable points and strengthen their positions before the campaign reaches its conclusion.
Valkenswaard’s arena is capable of presenting a searching test, with course designers able to combine sizeable fences with technical challenges that demand accuracy, rhythm and control. The leading riders will need horses in excellent form as they tackle a course where small errors can prove costly.
Home support should provide another distinctive feature. Dutch followers have a strong connection with international show jumping, and the atmosphere around the arena is expected to offer local riders an additional source of encouragement.
The national broadcast will widen the reach of the meeting beyond the venue itself. Experienced followers will be able to watch the leading combinations from home, while newcomers will have the chance to see the balance of speed, precision and partnership that defines top-level show jumping.
For spectators attending in person, the international arena at Valkenswaard will host competition throughout the weekend, with the Grand Prix providing the main focus on Sunday afternoon.
The Valkenswaard meeting will run from September 4 to 6, 2026, bringing leading riders and horses together in the Netherlands during a landmark anniversary season for Global Champions.
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