Hall of Fame: Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco

As the stars of show jumping prepare to compete in the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco, we take a look back at the past winners at one of the most iconic stages on tour.

A fixture on the LGCT calendar since its inception, the LGCT Grand Prix of Monaco is renowned for being one of the most challenging arenas on tour due to its compact size. The first rider to emerge victorious was Belgium’s Ludo Philippaerts aboard Parco in 2006. The Belgian rider won by an impressive margin, claiming the top spot by almost three seconds. In 2007, Jessica Kürten of Ireland expertly piloted her mount Castle Forbes Libertina to victory in Monaco. 2008 and 2009 saw impressive back-to-back wins by American jumping icon Richard Spooner aboard Cristallo. In 2010, Bernardo Alves of Brazil took the top spot aboard Bridgit under the lights in Monaco.

Sweden’s Rolf-Göran Bengtsson claimed the win in 2011 riding Casall ASK. That year there was no jump off in the Port d’Hurcule as Bengtsson was the only rider to come home on a clean sheet. In 2012, Kevin Staut of France took the top spot aboard his mount Reveur de Hurtebise H D C. 2013 saw the trophy handed back to Richard Spooner and Cristallo for an impressive third time, as Spooner was the only rider to go clear in the jump off.

In 2014, Bassem Mohammed of Quatar was one of only two riders in the jump off, claiming the win aboard his mount Victoriain a tough field. British show jumping star Scott Brash took the top spot in 2015 aboard Hello M'Lady. In 2016, Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano claimed the win aboard Caspar 232. 2017 saw the trophy go to fellow Italian rider Alberto Zorzi riding Cornetto K.

In 2018, the trophy was handed back to Ireland as Shane Breen narrowly claimed victory aboard Z7 Ipswich. Maikel van der Vleuten of the Netherlands took the win in 2019 aboard Beauville Z N.O.P., winning by less than a tenth of a second in a large jump off of ten riders.

Following a brief break due to Covid-19, the tour was back in Monaco in 2021. That year Ireland’s Darragh Kenny was victorious aboard his mount Idalville d'Esprit. After placing second in 2021, Austrian show jumping sensation Max Kühner soared to victory aboard Eic Coriolis Des Isles to claim the win in 2022.

Last year, Julien Epaillard of France took the top spot aboard Donatello d'Auge to emerge victorious in Monaco. Epaillard will be looking to defend his title in Monaco this weekend.

With a host of past LGCT Grand Prix of Monaco winners competing this weekend, the riders will be eager to secure another win in the Port d’Hercule. Don’t miss a moment as we eagerly await to learn who will emerge victorious. Can Epaillard secure back-to-back wins, or will a new rider add their name to the history books in Monaco?