The 2018 Longines Global Champions Tour ranking battle could be in for a major shake up this weekend, as reigning LGCT title holder Harrie Smolders (NED) returns to the third leg in Shanghai. 

Less than one week after Formula 1 hit town for the Chinese Grand Prix, fans will be treated to a very different display of horsepower as the world’s best athletes fly in to for a weekend of top sport. Both two-time LGCT Champions Scott Brash (GBR) and Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) will be back at the most Eastern destination on Tour, both hoping to keep their dream of a historic third win alive. Britain’s gold medallist Brash leads the charge in the overall ranking, with Tops-Alexander just 13 points behind - and with 40 points for a LGCT Grand Prix win there is everything to play for as the first part of the 2018 season unfolds.

The Tour welcomes back an electric mix of showjumping stars, with some of the most respected names in the sport hitting the fast-paced city. 2017 LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai winner Lorenzo de Luca (ITA) will return for a second bite of the apple, as will top French rider Simon Delestre (FRA) who has a history of success in Shanghai. John Whitaker (GBR) will return to the Tour, alongside multiple Olympian Ludger Beerbaum (GER) - who makes his return to the CSI5* showjumping scene following time out from an injury last year.

Jur Vrieling (NED), Michael Whitaker (GBR), Daniel Deusser (GER), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Alberto Zorzi (ITA), Ben Maher (GBR), Gregory Wathelet (BEL), Pius Schwizer (SUI), Marlon Zanotelli (BRA), Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) and Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) are another few of the names in action from 20th - 22nd April.