Rivalries Rev Up as GCL Vienna Riders Revealed
Press release GCL – This Sunday 18th September, the city of Vienna will provide the backdrop to the penultimate leg of the Global Champions League in what is turning out to be a thrilling debut year for the exciting team competition.
With the team riders raring to go following the cancellation of the event in Rome, all eyes will be on the combinations revealed today as excitement mounts over who will take home the Championship title. Valkenswaard United retain the lead by a wafer-thin 1.5 points, and will be pulling out all the stops for the Championship bid with their winning combination of John Whitaker (GBR) and Bertram Allen (IRL) in action this coming Sunday afternoon. The combined force of the two show jumping stars have contributed to the team’s overall ranking lead, with the pair clocking up the majority of the team’s event wins so far, and keeping them just ahead of second place rivals, the Antwerp Diamonds.
With strategy and tactics crucial in the team competition, the Antwerp Diamonds will bring out their new member, British Olympic rider Michael Whitaker (GBR) as well as anchor and last week’s LGCT Grand Prix winner Harrie Smolders (NED). Following the transfer window, Michael became a member of the second ranked team, and with his brother John competing for Valkenswaard United rivalry will be fierce as they compete on opposing teams for the first time this year.
Third place team Monaco Aces will see the return of Daniel Bluman (COL), with the top Colombian rider teaming up with Leopold van Asten (NED) for this leg of the League. Jack Hardin Towell (USA) also returns to the League for the crucial leg of the Championship for the fourth ranked team Rome Gladiators, riding once more with the speedy Laura Renwick (GBR) – a combination who joined forces in Shanghai. The winning formula of Lauren Hough (USA) and Danielle Goldstein (ISR) will be back in action for the Vienna Eagles for their home leg of the Championship, and will be supported by knowledgeable and passionate local fans who will witness the League firsthand for the first time in Vienna.
Known as the ‚City of Music‘, the Austrian capital is a city famous for its imperial culture, architecture, musical history and beautiful palaces. Hosted in a new venue this year, Trabrennbahn Krieau will welcome the 12 teams to another round of thrilling action as the Global Champions League heads towards its final events of the 15 leg season.
Top German rider Marco Kutscher (GER) will once more team up with young talent Kevin Jochems (NED) for the Cannes Stars, and Miami Glory’s Jessica Mendoza (GBR) will compete alongside compatriot Scott Brash (GBR) for the penultimate round of action. Top Swedish rider and current LGCT Ranking leader Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE) will join forces with Kamal Bahamdan (KSA) for the first time this season for the Paris Jets, and Madrid in Motion will see Alberto Zorzi (ITA) ride with Athina Onassis (GRE). Shanghai Swans will field GCL Mexico City winning rider Janne-Friederike Meyer (GER) and U25 competitor Alexandra Thornton (GBR), Doha Fursan Qatar will compete with Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) and Faleh Al Ajami (QAT), and Cascais Charms will unite David Will (GER) and Philip Houston (GER) as the battle unfolds in Vienna.
Source: Press release
