GCL 2023 - Show Jumping’s Greatest Team Challenge
An exciting 2023 is underway, with GCL again welcoming 16 teams to the 16-event series set to battle it down in the championship race. .
In the months leading up to the kick off of the 2023 season, strategy for success has been front of mind for Team Owners and Managers, who have been refining their approach to kick off what is set to be a highly charged year ahead.
This year sees a change in the GCL series with the introduction of a new weekend format, designed to benefit both horse, rider and team strategy. The biggest change will see Round 1 and Round 2 of the GCL team series now take place on the same day with again no drop score.
A BRIEF GUIDE TO GCL
Launched in 2016, the GCL brings together the world’s best horse and rider combinations from across the world from different nationalities riding on the same teams, rather than decided by country. Each team must feature an U25 rider, providing young talent of today, and future world champions of tomorrow, a launchpad of opportunity to ride, train and build camaraderie amongst their idols and the best in the business.
Each stop on the tour sees the teams compete in two rounds. In true championship style, the team’s combined scores from Round 1 are taken through into Round 2. The easy format of no drop score makes it simple for new audiences in each destination to follow the team competition.
Round 1 of the GCL will see riders faced with a CSI 5* 1.55m class, with team managers strategizing for their best approach for a day of intense competition.
A short break between Round 1 and Round 2 could see strategic changes from Team Managers, who can swap in horses and/or riders between the back to back rounds, ultimately producing a highly competitive Round 2.
Round 2 of the GCL takes place straight after Round 1, is a CSI 5* 1.60m class. In Round 2, teams will be represented by two riders from their team, with scores and points at the end of the competition ultimately going towards their overall team score, and series standing.
Throughout the year teams earn points to the overall total and series standings which comes to a head in the Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The teams placed in the top four after the Final will be granted a fast track place at the GC Prague Playoffs for the GCL Super Cup Semi Finals, the ultimate final show-down.
GCL: 6 QUICK FACTS
My vision is clear. Only the best for the best.