Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping Back in Full Swing in French Capital

After a detour to the lovely Bagatelle park in the west of the city last year, the Paris Eiffel Jumping is back at the Champ-de-Mars for the eighth stage of the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League. Over the weekend, the best international riders and horses are in the City of Light to to do battle in an idyllic setting, with the world-renowned Eiffel Tower in the background. The team Global Champions League Classes have already been taking place, and will establish the top 25 qualifying duos for the 1.60m Global Champions Tour Grand Prix.

Like every year, many of the best riders on the planet have made the trip to the French capital, with nine of the current top 10-ranked riders on the LGCT leaderboard present. While Germany’s Christian Ahlmann will be looking to grab a maximum number of points in France in order to conserve his Tour leader’s armband, numerous other top riders will be looking to stop him. Among them: Great Britain’s Scott Brash, two-time winner of the circuit, the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders, who is only four points behind Ahlmann, and Italy’s Alberto Zorzi, in great form.

Also competing in Paris are Maikel van der Vleuten, Marcus Ehning, Ludger Beerbaum, Jérôme Guéry, and Bertram Allen — all with an excellent shot to come out on top. The home French contingent are also not to be underestimated, with a full complement of top riders: Pénélope Leprévost on Vagabond de la Pomme, Philippe Rozier on Rahotep de Toscane, Roger-Yves Bost on Sydney une Prince Treize, and Kevin Staut on Silver Deux de VirtonHDC and Ayade de Septon*HDC. Simon Delestre is also riding, on Chesall Zimequest and Hermès Ryan des Hayettes. They will be joined by compatriots Julien Épaillard, Olivier Robert, Matthieu and Patrice Delaveau, guaranteeing a great moment of sport. A full report will come after the competition. For viewing options, see here.