Release date: 18/10/2011 |    

There is certainly no time for cruising into the finale for the world’s leading show jumping riders Australia Edwina Tops-Alexander and German Ludger Beerbaum, (below) as they are set to battle it out for the coveted Global Champions Tour 2011 title.

For these two A-listers sit at the head of the Global Champions Tour Ranking, one and two respectively, well abound from the rest of the field.  The top two cheques €300,000 and €180,000 are significant calling cards to ensure a heavy assault at the finale in Abu Dhabi.

The battle for best of the rest is also taking place as riders are hoping for Grand Prix spoils and to be in the top 18 ranking positions to take a further piece of the additional 1 million Euros.

Of course there is the total prize money of €400,000 for the Grand Prix class alone that will highlight spirited competition.

Jaeger-LeCoultre, in their second year as official timekeeping sponsors, will present a Reverso watch to the winner of the Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi.  The Swiss watchmaker have also declared an additional Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos watch to be presented to the winner of the 2011 series.

Ranking standings changed constantly throughout the season, with a steady battle between Edwina and Ludger taking place. The season has been, and here is how a quick look back on the events before heading into the final in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Brazilian Alvaro de Miranda Neto led from the outset with the win in Doha, Qatar riding AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan (pictured left) and he remained GCT ranking leader after the first three legs of the tour.

Irishman Billy Twomey won the second leg of the tour in Valencia, Spain with Je t’Aime Flamenco and Swedish rider Rolf-Goran Bengtsson the Hamburg, Germany leg with Casall La Silla.

Although Edwina Alexander  won the Cannes, France round with Itot de Chateau, Ludger Beerbaum claimed the ranking lead with a 3^rd place on Gotha adding to his solid placings in Valencia (2^nd) riding Gotha and Hamburg (2^nd) riding Chaman.

Monte Carlo, Monaco, saw a second win of the season for Rolf –Goran Bengtsson riding Casall La Silla posting the only double clear rounds.

After a mixed bag of performances by the top ranked riders at the Monaco event (Edwina 7^th, Ludger 14^th) these two still remained at the top end of the GCT Ranking ladder at this stage.

Edwina re-acquired the GCT Ranking leader armband eclipsing Ludgers ranking score by just 4.5 points.

It was not held for long as the following weekend in Estoril, Portugal, where German Christian Ahlmann claimed victory in the Grand Prix with Taloubet Z. (pictured right)  Ludger placed 3^rd and Edwina didn’t get on the scorecard thus handed the armband back to Ludger. She remained in 2^nd position and Portugese rider Luciana Diniz moved up to 3^rd rank position after a resounding second place to sit just 6 points adrift of Edwina.

Victory to Edwina and Itot de Chateau in Chantilly, France restored the GCT armband. In fact, her trusty Itot de Chateau has been her steadfast horse helping her earn top GCT ranking points this season.

Beezie Madden (USA) won the Grand Prix in Valkenswaard, The Netherlands with Cortes C and these were her first points on the ranking as she had not competed on the GCT circuit prior to this event.

With a great cache of extra prize money on offer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, most top listed riders headed across the globe.  Dutch rider Gerco Schroder was the only rider to jump double clear with Eurcommerce London resulting in the win without a jump-off ensuing.

Taking a 4^th place in Valkenswaard and 3^rd in Rio de Janeiro Edwina (left) lands at the final in Abu Dhabi at the top of the ranking list with 238 points.

Ludger did not add to his scorecard in Chantilly or Valkenswaard, however, a very tidy 5^th place in Rio de Janeiro saw him keep his 2^nd placed ranking slot with 218.50 points. With 40 points for a win it will be a pressure point Grand Prix.

No other rider can eclipse theses two, however others will be jockeying for positions themselves for the best spoils to be handed out down the ranking list as follows:

1^st € 300,000, 2^nd € 180,000, 3^rd € 120,000, 4^th € 80,000, 5^th € 60,000, 6^th & 7^th € 33,750,  8^th -11^th € 20,000, 12^th -15^th € 10,000, 16^th -18^th  € 7,500. Prizes won by competitors who are tied are added and divided equally. 

The final round to be held at the Al Forsan International Sports Resort in Abu Dhabi, UAE – November 24-26 will be surely an impressive finale.

All in all, this season may prove that it will be as good as the last one that says it all. 

Photo credits: Stefano Grasso/GCT