Press release from Global Champions Tour

The GCL Super Cup quarter finals will kick off in just under a month with 12 international teams fighting for survival in the thrilling knockout competition.

The quarter finals act as a spectacular curtain raiser to the GC Prague Playoffs where the GCL Super Cup and the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix will take centre stage, with over €8 million in prize money up for grabs during the event.

The dozen teams fighting for glory on Thursday 17 November at the O2 Arena in Prague to win a place in the semi finals the following evening are:

The GCL opening ceromony and GCL Super Cup quarter finals will kick off at 6.30pm CET on Thursday 17th November, where equestrian fans around the world will be able to watch live on GCTV and enjoy a series of stunning opening ceremonies and entertainment shows in the indoor arena in the Czech Republic’s beautiful capital city.

Show jumping legend Christian Ahlmann spoke about the phenomenal Playoffs concept saying: "It is a show one step more than all the others. Unbelievable everything about it."

Here is how the rest of the sporting action will unfold:

The eight top teams from the quarter finals will live to fight another day. They go straight into the semi finals on Friday night, up against the top four ranked teams from the regular season who won the advantage of not having to compete in the quarter finals. All scores will start at zero, with only the top six making it through to the final of the GCL Super Cup on Sunday. 

The top four ranked teams for 2022 are:

15 riders will go into battle for the ultimate individual showdown in the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix. The 15 riders are winners of each LGCT Grand Prix during the 2022-season or runners-up if the winner was already qualified. The 1.65m competition is held over two rounds with a high pressure jump-off. 

The formidable line up of riders qualified are:

Ludger Beerbaum (GER)
Katrin Eckermann (GER)
Denis Lynch (IRL)
Sanne Thijssen (NED) 
Malin Bayard-Johnsson (SWE) 
Christian Ahlmann (GER)
Daniel Deusser (GER)
Henrik von Eckermann (SWE)
Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRZ)
Max Kühner (AUT)
Pieter Devos (BEL)
Michael Pender (IRL)
Christian Kukuk (GER)
Mclain Ward (USA)
Harrie Smolders (NED)

Pressure will reach fever pitch as the victorious six teams from the qualifying stages go into combat for the GCL Super Cup final on Sunday afternoon. The world’s top riders and serious horsepower will be in action providing thrilling sporting drama for fans worldwide. Speculation is mounting about team strategies and which rider and horse combinations will be fielded in the quest to take the prestigious title.