Elite Field Assemble for the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai CSI 5*

Shanghai, China – April 28, 2026 –The Longines Global Champions Tour returns to Shanghai for stage 3 of the championship race with unmistakable intent – a convergence of the sport’s leading names, proven champions and rising contenders, all set to collide at one of the most dynamic stages on the calendar.

As the 2026 season gathers momentum, Shanghai once again draws a field defined not just by depth, but by narrative. At the centre of it all is defending LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai winner and world number one Scott Brash, who returns to the arena where he delivered a decisive performance in 2025. He is joined by a formidable group of returning contenders, including Gilles Thomas – victorious here in 2024 – alongside Eduardo Álvarez Aznar (ESP), Andreas Schou (DEN) and Nadja Peter Steiner (SUI), completing a full top five from last year’s LGCT Grand Prix of Shanghai back to contest the title once more.

That continuity sets the tone for a weekend where margins will be razor thin and experience at this venue could prove decisive.

Beyond the returning podium, the broader field reflects the full spectrum of the sport at its highest level. Former world number one Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) leads the charge, joined by LGCT Champion in 2024 Max Kühner (AUT) and three-time series champion Ben Maher (GBR). Names synonymous with consistency and championship pedigree such as Marcus Ehning (GER), Philipp Weishaupt (GER) and Peder Fredricson (SWE) add further weight to a line-up that leaves little room for error.

Across the start list, proven winners and established forces continue to build the competitive picture – Simon Delestre (FRA), Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Marlon Zanotelli (BRA), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Victor Bettendorf (LUX) all arrive with the credentials to challenge deep into the competition.

At the same time, the next generation continues to assert itself. Riders like Thibeau Spits (BEL), Sophie Hinners (GER), Jeanne Sadran (FRA) and Sanne Thijssen (NED) represent a growing wave of talent capable of disrupting even the most established order, while combinations such as Ines Joly, Pim Mulder and Antoine Ermann continue to build momentum on the global stage.

The strength in depth is undeniable, extending further through athletes including Denis Lynch (IRL), Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP), Emanuele Camilli (ITA), Oliver Lazarus (RSA) and Janne Friederike Meyer Zimmermann (GER) – each bringing their own trajectory, experience and ambition into the mix.

Set against the striking backdrop of the Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Center, the event continues to reflect the city’s blend of innovation, scale and spectacle. Purpose-built and positioned within Expo Park, the venue offers a stage where sport and setting combine to elevate every round, every jump, and every second against the clock.

Shanghai has established itself as a defining stop on the calendar – not just for its atmosphere, but for the level of performance it demands. Technical precision, tactical decision-making and absolute trust between horse and rider will once again determine who rises above the rest.

With a returning champion, a complete top five back for redemption, and a field stacked with global contenders, the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour of Shanghai is set to deliver another chapter of elite sport at its most compelling.

Stay tuned for full coverage, exclusive content and behind-the-scenes access on GCTV.

Source: Press Release from LGCT – Longines Global Champions Tour

Photos: © LGCT / Stefano Grasso

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