Release date: 21/06/2011 |    

The Global Champions Tour of Monaco is certainly the most preferred destination for the world’s FEI top ranked riders.  Every one of the 10 Global Champions Tour events in the 2011 calendar is special, but Monaco somehow manages to surpass even that. 

Not just the competition itself, but everything surrounding it is just fantastic.  It is why the majority of riders comment that it is the jewel in the Global Champions Tour crown and all are organized for the event that will take place this week 23-25^th June, 2011.

Spectators can be assured of seeing the top ranked riders competing at this glitzy and glamorous destination back dropped by the Principality of Monaco. The population of Monaco stands at 35,986 as of 2011 and boasts the world's highest GDP nominal per capita at $215,163 and is the most densely populated country in the world.

Many more thousands of people are presently flocking to Monaco for the impending wedding of Prince Albert and Charlene Wittstock set to take place on the 2^nd of July, the following weekend after the Global Champions Tour of Monaco.

The Principality is abuzz with visitors, many of whom have arrived by luxury boats to take in the Formula 1 and the Global Champions Tour prior to the wedding festivities.

Brazilian rider Alvaro de Miranda Neto (Doda) will be out to avenge his relegation from 1st to 4^th position on the GCT Ranking following the Cannes event. Doda held the prime position on the GCT Ranking for the first three rounds of the 2011 season. 

Ludger Beerbaum competing in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes, France (Photo credit: Stefano Grasso)

German rider Ludger Beerbaum has taken the number one ranking position after placing 2^nd in three of the four rounds to date. “I have been very pleased with each of the GCT rounds,” Ludger said. “With the exception of the problem in the second round of the GCT event in Doha, that kept me from the top place of the GCT ranking earlier in the season. Things happen and you just re-group and keep going.”

Ludger was eliminated in the second round in Doha. “It is all about being consistent and I am certainly giving it all to be there at the top at the end of the season with the last event in Abu Dhabi.”

German Frank Rothenberger, who has course designed the first four out of five events this season is back to design in Monaco for the 3^rd year.

There are particular challenges in building at the Monaco venue as it is a very small arena. Frank has closely followed all of the horses and riders since the first GCT event in Doha and has a very strong sense of how they are jumping and developing over the 2011 season so far. 

So, who wants to be the first Global Champions Tour millionaire?  The race is still on for the title with Australian Edwina Alexander just €3,461 shortfall (€996,539) after winning the GCT Grand Prix of Cannes, France last week. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) who didn’t ride at the Cannes event, due to a back complaint, sits just behind Edwina with €976.982 earnings collected since the first GCT event in 2006.

Jessica Kurten (IRL) has earned €945,451, however, she will not be participating in Monaco.  Marco Kutscher with €900.001 will also be aiming to take a chunk of the €285,000 prize money on offer for the Grand Prix on Monaco to add to his pot.

Pictured Below: Edwina Alexander riding Mel d'Argences in Cannes (Photo credit Stefano Grasso/GCT)

Edwina, who will marry Jan Tops, her long-term partner and founder of the Global Champions Tour, in Monaco this coming September is looking forward to the competition in Monaco this next weekend.

“I really wasn’t aware of the amount of prize money I had actually won after the GCT Cannes event until it was brought to my attention.  I would be honoured to be the first GCT rider to reach the million euro mark,” commented Edwina.  “And winning the GCT Grand Prix of Monaco on the side would be fine!”

In addition to the Global Champions Tour program of top international show jumping, “Jumping Monaco” will, for the second year, present the Pro-Am Cup: a competition which welcomes different teams consisted of professional riders together with amateur riders, ending with a party on the Friday evening.

The Masoni Pony Cup is the latest addition to the Global Champions Tour in Monaco, as 10 ponies and riders battle it out for the spoils.  This is a unique chance for ‘riders of tomorrow’ to be part of a GCT event alongside the best riders in the world. With one competition each day at a height up to 1.15m the final winner takes home the Masoni Cup of Monaco.

Global Champions Tour selected events are available via Live Streaming at www.globalchampionstour.com

Designated classes and times for live streaming can be viewed online include:

Thursday 23^rd June: International 1.45m/1.50m Table A on time at 18h30, 1.50m, International 1.50m Table A with jump-off

Friday 24^th June: International 1.45m/1.50 Table A against the clock at 17h15, Monaco Pro Am Cup Special Class at 21h00

Saturday 25^th June: International 1.50m Table A with one jump-off at  14h45, The Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Monaco – first round only at 17h30.