YEAR IN REVIEW: Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL of 2022

As 2022 draws to a close, we look back on some of the biggest moments of the season.  

In a year that has taken the top show jumping horse and rider combinations to all corners of the globe, from the Middle East to Mexico, Miami Beach to Monaco, the LGCT and GCL season were full of thrilling highs as riders fought it out for the highest of prize money, over the most technical courses in the most breathtaking of locations.  

Crowds filled the grandstands, cheered on as rivals took to the arena, and celebrated photo-finish jump offs all while enjoying top-class hospitality and indulgent shopping in unique and culture infused venues.  

From impressive U25 riders securing their positions on the world stage, with three of the sixteen LGCT Grand Prix’s won by the outstanding Michael Pender (LGCT GP of Valkenswaard and Riyadh), and Sanne Thijssen (LGCT GP of Madrid), the collection of impressive talent well and truly cemented themselves as superstars of the future.  

As the year reached the closing stages, the ever-consistent Ben Maher showed his class in the season Final, hosted for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Taking the title of the Longines Global Champions Tour Champion of Champions for 2022, Maher made history by taking the title for no more than the third time.  

Also reaching for the trophy in the Finals in Riyadh, the Berlin Eagles powered by Fundis stormed to the top of the leader board. Ultimately earning themselves the 2022 GCL Championship title, the ultra-consistent and competitive team took home the lion's share of over €6 million prize money. 

To the final event of the 2022 season, the GC Prague Playoff’s, with a full-house crowd lifting the roof as the stars of today and tomorrow took to the arena.  

Daniel Deusser aboard his incredible Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z were the ultimate individual champions, taking top podium position in the LGCT Super Grand Prix, coupled with an incredible line-up of young talent in the Miami Celtics raising the GCL Super Cup trophy who pocketed their share of the €4.5million prize purse. 

As 2022 wraps up, all eyes now look ahead to the New Year, with the bell ringing on a big season of show jumping, kicking off for the fifth year at the world-class Al Shaqab Equestrian Centre in the Longines Global Champions Tour of Doha, Qatar.