Shanghai's back in the saddle

A decade of effort

The LGCT Grand Prix on Sunday marked 10 years since it began bringing international show jumping to China.

Jan Tops, founder and president of Longines Global Champions Tour, is glad that the tour is making its return to China, and has seen the nation's passion for show jumping continue to accelerate since the first groundbreaking LGCT event in 2014.

His wife, Edwina Tops-Alexander, riding Fellow Castlefield, took second place in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Shanghai.

"She did very well, I remember that, ten years ago, she was also the runner-up in the Grand Prix," he said.

"We are thrilled to present the very best of show jumping in such an incredible new venue as the Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Centre. The state-of-the-art venue offers exceptional facilities for horses, riders, fans, sponsors and guests," he said.

Tops is impressed by the new permanent facility, noting that he thinks it's not only horse friendly, but also quite convenient for the public.

Shanghai's new venue has positioned the city as China's sole destination for premier international equestrian events. This signals a significant milestone in the evolution of equestrian sports within China.

The three-day competition also bore witness to the popularity of equestrianism in China. Enthusiastic Chinese fans filled the stands, adorned in their most elegant attire, turning the event into a prominent social affair.

During the night sessions of the first two days, as the sun dipped below Shanghai's iconic skyline, the excitement soared, as the arena played host to a mesmerizing light show, captivating both spectators and competitors.