The Longines Global Champions Tour resumes after its summer break this weekend as Riesenbeck International in Germany stages the ninth leg of the 2026 season from 11 to 13 September. With the title race entering its decisive phase, many of the world’s leading showjumpers will gather at one of Europe’s most respected equestrian venues for three days of elite competition.
Longines Global Champions Tour Riesenbeck 2026.
The German venue has regularly produced memorable contests, and this year’s edition arrives at a crucial point in the championship. Every result could have a significant bearing on the overall standings as riders chase valuable points before the Finals.
Adding another attraction for fans, organisers have introduced a new Free View initiative for the Riesenbeck event. For the first time, both Saturday’s GCL competition and Sunday’s Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Riesenbeck will be streamed free on the official GCL and LGCT YouTube channels, alongside the popular pre-event studio programmes.
Viewers can also follow the action through GCTV. Saturday’s studio coverage is scheduled to begin at approximately 13:20, ahead of Round 1 at 13:45, while Sunday’s Grand Prix programme starts around 14:35, leading into the feature class at 15:00.
The championship picture remains finely balanced heading into Germany. Current series leader Abdel Said will defend his advantage against a strong group of challengers that includes Max Kühner, Zoe Hank Conter and Katrin Eckermann, with four of the top five riders in the standings confirmed for the event.
German supporters will enjoy a formidable home line-up headed by Olympic champion Christian Kukuk. He will be joined by Christian Ahlmann, Marcus Ehning, Richard Vogel, Daniel Deusser, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, Jorne Sprehe, Katrin Eckermann and Hans-Dieter Dreher, giving the host nation an impressive presence throughout the weekend.
The international challenge is equally strong. Former world number one Henrik von Eckermann returns alongside Scott Brash, Julien Epaillard, Harrie Smolders, Gregory Wathelet, Laura Kraut, Denis Lynch, Bertram Allen, Cian O’Connor and Nayel Nassar, forming one of the deepest fields assembled this season.
Emerging talent will also be in the spotlight, with Jack Whitaker, Lillie Keenan, Jeanne Sadran, Antoine Ermann, Zoe Hank Conter, Ioli Mytilineou, Kendra Claricia Brinkop, Sophie Hinners, Caroline Rehoff Pedersen and Nina Mallevaey among the younger riders aiming to leave their mark on the championship.
A host of established international competitors, including Nicola Philippaerts, Marlon Zanotelli, Victor Bettendorf, Yuri Mansur, Duarte Seabra, Koen Vereecke, Gudrun Patteet, Emanuele Gaudiano, Jérôme Guéry, Gilles Thomas, Willem Greve, Jessica Mendoza, Johan Sebastian Gulliksen, Jorge Matte, Fernando Martinez Sommer, Niels Bruynseels, Oliver Lazarus and Sanne Thijssen, further strengthens the field.
Renowned for its excellent footing, first-class facilities and enthusiastic crowds, Riesenbeck International provides an ideal setting for top-level showjumping. As the Longines Global Champions Tour Riesenbeck 2026 meeting unfolds, every rail, every second and every championship point could shape the battle for the season title.
With the road to the Finals gathering momentum, Riesenbeck is set to play a defining role in the Longines Global Champions Tour championship as the world’s best riders return to competition after the summer pause.
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