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29 out of the world’s best 34 show jumping riders have confirmed that they will be competing in the second event of the Global Champions Tour in Valencia, Spain (6-8th May).

From the current number 1 Kevin Staut (FRA), all the best riders have decided not to miss the Spanish event and despite a very busy calendar they have included the Global Champions Tour in the events that cannot be missed.

Thousands of riders compete each week at international show jumping events throughout the world, yet it is the Global Champions Tour who collectively draw-card the highest world ranked riders at the impressive events.

The invitational system of the Global Champions Tour ensures that only the top FEI world ranked riders can compete in it, making the circuit the only global show jumping series that can guarantee the participation of top show jumping riders. As it will be the case in Valencia.

“It is extremely rewarding that the top riders have decided to accept our invitation to the Global Champions Tour in Valencia,” commented Jan Tops, who in 2006 created the Global Champions Tour and still is the mind behind the successful circuit. “I think that the riders have now totally embraced the concept of the Global Champions Tour that embodies excellence in sport, top events and significant prize money. These three ingredients are at the base of the success and I am glad that the Global Champions Tour keeps growing event by event, with the focus on being the top show jumping circuit in the world.”

Spectators and horse sport fans can be satisfied that the Global Champions Tour will furnish the best of the best for the events in terms of venues, prize money, courses and riders to showcase the most exciting show jumping.

The Global Champions Tour acceptance list for Valencia includes; Kevin Staut (FRA), Eric Lamaze (CAN), Rolf-Goran Bengtsson (SWE), Marcus Ehning (GER), Pius Schwizer (SUI), Billy Twomey (IRL), Denis Lynch (IRL), Edwina Alexander (AUS), Simon Delestre (FRA), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Marco Kutscher (GER), Steve Guerdat (SUI), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), Penelope Leprevost (FRA), Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Laura Kraut (USA), Harrie Smolders (NED), Daniel Deusser (GER), Lauren Hough (USA), Marc Houtzager (NED), Pablo Barrios (VEN), Richard Spooner (USA), Eric van der Vleuten (NED), Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP), Gerco Schroder (NED), Alvaro de Miranda Neto (BRA), Werner Muff (SUI), Lars Nieberg (GER)

LIve television coverage of the Grand Prix will be broadcast on Eurosport on Saturday 7th May from 8pm to 9:30pm CET, while nationally the event will be relayed on Teledeporte and Televisio Valenciana.

Live streaming of all the Global Champions Tour events each day will be available on the dedicated website www.globalchampionstour.com The latest news and information can also be obtained online. Join the Global Champions Tour on their designated Facebook and Twitter social media platforms.

Global Champions Tour 2011 Top 18 Ranking 1. Alvaro de Miranda Neto (BRA), 2. Pius Schwizer (SUI), 3. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum(GER), 4. Luciana Diniz (POR), 5. Denis Lynch (IRL), 6.Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), 7. Gerco Schroder (NED), 8. Lars Nieberg (GER), 9. Edwina Alexander (AUS), 10. Philip Weishaupt (GER), 11. Steve Guerdat (SUI), 12. Kevin Staut (FRA), 13. Janika Sprunger (SUI), 14. Geir Gulliksen (NOR), 15. Vincent Voorn (NED), 16. Sheikh Shakhboot Bin Nayhan Al Nayhan (UAE), 17. Daniel Deusser (GER), Ludger Beerbaum (GER).

The Global Champions Tour ranking is updated after each leg of the tour based on the scores derived from the rider’s performances.

The Global Champions Tour 2011Events Doha, Qatar March 17-19 Valencia, Spain May 6-8 Hamburg, Germany June 1-5 Cannes, France June 9-11 Monte Carlo, Monaco June 23-25 Estoril, Portugal July 1-2 Chantilly, France July 22-24 Valkenswaard, The Netherlands August 12-14 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil September 2-4 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, November 10-12