Global Champions Tour heads to Miami

The Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) is heading to the USA for the first time in its 10-year history.

Miami Beach

To celebrate its 10th anniversary, the world’s richest showjumping series will kick off with a new leg at Miami Beach. The event will take place at the end of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida (2-4 April).

Rome is another new venue in the 2015 calendar, with an event in September. This takes the total number of countries hosting a tour to 15, across three continents.

Other venues include Shanghai in China – which was a new addition in 2014 – Paris, Vienna and London (23-25 July). The final will once again be hosted in Doha (12-14 November), when Scott Brash will be aiming to take the titlefor the third consecutive year.

There is more than €10million (£7.8million) of prize money up for grabs across the season, with a €1million (£780,000) bonus going to the top 18 riders in the overall championship.

Landmark year

Jan Tops founder and president of the tour said 2015 is set to be a “landmark year” as they expand to bring a new continent and a new capital city to the series.

“I am proud to be celebrating our 10th anniversary in an environment of continued growth for show jumping worldwide as our events become a fantastic sporting and social fixture around the world,” he said.