...The Who’s Who of Show Jumping Arrive in New York for Stage 12 of the LGCT Championship Race

The Longines Global Champions Tour makes its long-awaited return to New York this week, with Liberty State Park set to stage a show like no other. Against the glittering lower Manhattan skyline and the watchful gaze of the Statue of Liberty, Stage 12 of the championship race promises high drama, elite sport, and an atmosphere only the Big Apple can deliver.

The home squad, New York Empire powered by Lugano, will carry the pride of the city on their shoulders. Team owner Georgina Bloomberg fields a powerful trio with Scott Brash aboard Hello Chadora Lady, the mare who carried him to victory in the LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai earlier this season, Denis Lynch with proven horsepower, and mid-season transfer Trevor Breen making his Tour debut with Highland President.

But the Empire will face fierce opposition. LGCT Championship leader Gilles Thomas headlines the Belgian charge with two outstanding rides – his LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai-winning mare Luna van het Dennehof and his rising star Qualista DN, who has already impressed time and again on Tour. Thibeau Spits brings his 2024 LGCT Grand Prix of Riesenbeck-winning partner Impress-K van ’t Kattenheye Z, while Jérôme Guery adds further firepower with Careca LS Elite. Emilie Conter joins a wave of female contenders including Zascha Nygaard, Anna Kellnerová, Sophie Hinners and Ines Joly, each set to light up the New York stage.

The star power doesn’t stop there. Former LGCT Champions and household names line the start list – Marcus Ehning with Flower Girl, the Weishaupt brothers Philipp (Oreo D.R.) and Maximilian (Zuccero HV), and the Philippaerts brothers Nicola, Olivier and Thibault, bringing their dynasty strength to New York. It’s a rare moment that underlines the extraordinary family connections at the highest level of the sport. Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, Duarte Seabra, Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and Jur Vrieling also add their names to an already jaw-dropping line-up.

Henrik von Eckermann returns to action with his proven winners Iliana and Glamour Girl, while Britain’s Oliver Fletcher partners his consistent sidekick Hello William. The depth of international talent gathering in New York makes this one of the most competitive fields of the season.

The USA contingent will have the crowd firmly behind them. Jessica Springsteen returns with her LGCT Grand Prix-winning partner Don Juan van de Donkhoeve, Spencer Smith brings his top mount HHS Seattle, while Natalie Dean and Mimi Gochman bolster the Stars and Stripes’ presence on home soil. Adding a heartfelt storyline, Nayel Nassar makes his return to the Longines Global Champions Tour following the birth of his children with his wife Jennifer Gates, bringing with him a wave of excitement and support.

In total, an astonishing 20 former LGCT Grand Prix winners are confirmed for New York, including legends Marcus Kutscher, Rodrigo Pessoa, Gregory Wathelet, Ben Maher and Michael Duffy. With the championship race at a critical stage, every stride in Liberty State Park will count towards glory.

New York has always been a city of dreams, and this weekend it becomes the epicentre of world show jumping. With the skyline glittering in the background and the greatest names in the sport chasing victory, the stage is set for an unforgettable clash.

If you can’t join us in person, watch every second live and on demand on GCTV.

FULL RIDERS LIST