Release date: 25/05/2011 |    

In 2011, to celebrate the 80^th anniversary of Reverso, the winner of the GCT Grand Prix of Hamburg  will be presented with a Reverso watch especially engraved by the manufacturer for this occasion.

Three lady riders who were on the podium at the 2010Grand Prix of Hamburg  return this year for the GCT Grand Prix that will take place on Saturday 4th June at 13h40.

USA rider Lauren Hough, who won this event in 2010 is set to start Quick Study as Australian Edwina Alexander, who was runner up last year, elects to start Itot du Chateau in the 2011 Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Germany.

Popular US rider Laura Kraut,is optimistic about the GCT season ahead as she has a new horse to compliment the talent of her hugely successful grey gelding Cedric.

Speaking in Valencia on the second leg of the GCT 2011 Laura said: “I am really fortunate to have a new horse that will help Cedric so I’m looking forward to the year ahead and doing the Global Champions Tour.”

Laura, an Olympic gold medallist in 2008, spent the winter in Florida where she lives and brought her horses to Europe about a month ago for the season ahead.

She bought Cedric and Dona Evita to Valencia and said: “I’ve been here several times in Valencia and it’s great, really wonderful. GCT has really raised the standard and shaken up show jumping a bit.

“Now it’s a new goal as a rider to stay in the top 30 to get to these shows. It is the best of the best.” On the opening day of the Valencia leg, Laura and bay mare Dona Evita finished sixth in the 1.45 m CSI5*.

And she finished fourth in the Grand Prix in Valencia on Cedric (pictured above)only just missing out on a podium place. Laura currently stands equal 14th on the GCT ranking.

Heading to Hamburg for the third round of the 10 event series over 9 countries Laura will be out to secure some of the €285,000 prize money on offer for the GCT Grand Prix and improve on her 2010 third placing.