Countdown to LGCT 2018 opening European leg in Madrid

The 2018 Longines Global Champions Tour returns to the vibrant and lively city of Madrid from 4th to 6th May for the first European leg on the circuit. As a prestigious addition to the Championship calendar in 2013, Madrid is a globally significant capital which buzzes with energy, with this event marking the fifth stop on the 2018 season calendar.
The LGCT ranking race features an A-list line up of riders, with two-time Champion Scott Brash currently out in front on 99 points. The British rider holds a 27 point lead from nearest rivals Edwina Tops-Alexander and Daniel Deusser, both of whom sit on 72 points, and are just one point ahead of fourth placed Gregory Wathelet, showing the intensity of the competition at this early stage of the Championship race.
So far this season, three riders have claimed a golden ticket to the GC Prague Play Offs. LGCT Grand Prix winners Brash (LGCT Mexico City), Tops-Alexander (LGCT Miami Beach) and Wathelet (Shanghai LGCT) have all secured their place at the Play Offs this December, and will be back in action this weekend in Madrid, hungry to keep ahead on the overall Championship rankings.
However, they face stiff competition as a multitude of top athletes will be featuring in Madrid. The fourth leg of the 2018 Championship welcomes back former podium holders Marcus Ehning, Maikel van der Vleuten, Gerco Schroder and home hero Eduardo Alvarez Aznar – all of whom did not take part in the previous legs.
Fans will also have the chance to witness many of the biggest names take centre stage, including Ludger Beerbaum, Eric Lamaze, John Whitaker, Simon Delestre, LORENZO DE LUCA, Bertram Allen, Ben Maher, Nicola Philippaerts, Philipp Weishaupt, Daniel Deusser, Sergio Alvare Moya, Michael Whitaker, Laura Kraut, Pieter Devos and Cian o’Conncor.
Set in Madrid’s beautiful country club, the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, the world’s best show jumpers will compete in the stunning grass arena, bringing horses suited to wide, galloping spaces. 
As usual, the all the action will be streamed live, via the Global Champions official website.
The full rider list for LGCT Madrid is available here below:
https://www.globalchampionstour.com/events/2018/madrid/riders-and-horses…
Press Release
Photo: LGCT / Stefano Grasso