Knokke Hippique is proud to once again welcome the world’s very best riders to its five-star event, that runs from July 6-9.

Out of the current Top 10 on the world ranking comes Daniel Deusser (GER, world rank no. 2), Lorenzo De Luca (ITA, world rank no. 4), Christian Ahlmann (GER, world rank no. 6) and Kevin Staut (FRA, world rank no. 8). Staut gets company from his gold medal winning team mates from the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, with Penelope Leprevost (FRA, world rank no. 22) and Philippe Rozier (FRA, world rank no. 85) both among the competitors for the 2017 edition of Knokke Hippique.

Other big names include living legends John and Michael Whitaker (GBR, world rank no. 39 and 104 respectively) as well as Ludger Beerbaum (GER, world rank no. 15), three of the most merited riders in the world. The USA sends their leading lady riders with Laura Kraut (world rank no. 16), Lauren Hough (world rank no. 33) and Lucy Davis (world rank no. 130) all entered for the event alongside young talents such as Eve Jobs and Jennifer Gates.

Among the Belgian riders on the entry list are 2016 Olympic participants Jerome Guery (world rank no. 27) and Nicola Philippaerts (world rank no. 25), as well as 2016 European Champion (team) for junior riders Zoe Conter. Other big Belgian names include Niels Bruynseels (world rank no. 12), Gregory Wathelet (world rank no. 19), Olivier Philippaerts (world rank no. 32) and Pieter Devos (world rank no. 34).

Together with Rolex, BMW, Ghelamco and Knokke-Heist, Knokke Hippique is proud to present a total of 22 Longines Ranking classes over the three weeks of competition on the circuit. 

For the five-star event this coming weekend, BMW will offer a BMW M4 to the winner of the CSI5* Grand Prix presented by Rolex, a BMW 1 Serie to the winner of the Top Series Grand Prix as well as a BMW X1 to the winner of Friday’s CSI5* Grand Prix qualifier.

A Golf Car presented by GARIA is also up for grabs, as is a STX 2 Horse Truck for one year at a lease value of 19.788,40 Euro for the 'Leading Rider' in the CSI3* over the three weeks of Knokke Hippique. On top comes a total of 810.000 Euro in prize money during Knokke Hippique and 525.000 Euro during the Knokke Hippique Summer Circuit.

In addition to top sport, comes an extensive Lifestyle Village, a flavourful Food Truck Court and an entertainment program second-to-none kicking off with The Magical Flying Thunderbirds and Belgium's Got Talent winner Baba Yega at the Stephex Club Friday 7th and Saturday July 8th.

Source: Press release from Knokke Hippique // Picture © Scoopdyga