Global Champions Tour cancelled for 2020

THE 2020 Longines Global Champions Tour and League, which boosts €35 million in prize money, has been cancelled due to the unprecedented impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Just one of the 17 legs went ahead this year in Doha, Qatar, before the international show jumping world was brought to a halt. The series finale was due to take place in New York in late September before the Playoffs in Prague in November, where the €1.25m Super Grand Prix and the €6.4 million Super Cup team showdown were due to be held.

A statement from GCL this week said it is not realistic to plan for the rest of the season. “In these exceptional circumstances it is not realistic to safely stage our global championship circuit this year. We must follow the laws of national Governments and public health authorities, which change regularly and at short notice, having a major impact on international planning.

“Restrictions on travel vary around the world, so not all riders will have the freedom to compete. There is also the risk of a second wave later this year, in the absence of a cure or vaccine, which further complicates logistical planning. In this complex environment, the responsible decision is to start the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL top-level show jumping championship series afresh in 2021.”

Britain’s Ben Maher was the overall champion in 2019, as well as winning the Super Grand Prix, and finished 2019 with a total of €1.3 million in prize money from series. Ireland’s Darragh Kenny earned a total of €667,085 in 2019, including the €250,000 for finishing runner-up in Prague.