Release date: 26/08/2011 |    

The Athina Onassis International Horse Show

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Guanabara Bay and Sepetiba Bay, Rio de Janeiro is one of the few places that have such diverse nature such as mountains, seas, forests, beaches and rock walls.

The Global Champions Tour’s 9th round will be held at the Sociedade Hipica Brasileira under the watchful eye of the famous statue of Christ, Corcovado, which is now one of the Seven Wonders of the World.

The event is characterised by the large sand arena, many trade stands and of course a Brazilian festive ambiance.

Photo's above: credit photostationonline

The popular event attracts the best Brazilian riding identities Bernardo Alves, Alvaro, Andre & Bartholomeu Bueno de Miranda, Karina Johannpeter and Rodrigo Mesquita Marinho who are just some taking Brazilian Federation wild cards for the event.

Last year's Grand Prix Winner in Rio de Janeiro..Marcus Ehning and Noltes Kuechengirl. (photo www.photostationonline.com) above and below

In 2011 the Global champions Tour, Rio de Janeiro prize-money is exceptional to say the least. One could only wish to be an in-form leading show jump rider heading to Rio.  €1,300,000 euro has been laid on the table to entice the best of the best to make their way to Brazil.

In fact, those who do make the trip will have the opportunity to take home some of the cool 1 million euro on offer for the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Brazil class alone.

The Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Brazil will commence on Sunday 4^th September at 16h00 (Brazilian time) or 9pm (CEST).  Live Streaming will be available at www.globalchampionstour.com.  Eurosport will provide delayed broadcast on Monday 5^th September at 14h15.

In all 122 horses are expected to partake in the International classes some of which are homeland starters whilst the majority are being flown from Europe to Brazil. The first flight of horses leaves European shores on Friday 26^th August with the first competition set to start at 14h00 on Friday 2^nd September.

As the Global Champions Tour crosses the globe to Brazil for the second-last round of the 2011 season, it is interesting to take a moment to see how Athina Onassis’ year of show jumping on tour  has unfolded so far.

After spending the better part of the 2011 season forging the partnership with her new Grand Prix horse AD Crosshill, Athina turned out a very positive performance at the recent Global Champions Tour in Valkenswaard. (pictured below)

Sixth placing was brought about due to their final three time penalties seeing them sit in the final placings just behind Marcus Ehning who completed with one time fault with Plot Blue. Solid rounds were also put in with AD Welcome du Petit Vivier in the 1.45m 5* classes in Valkenswaard.

Athina, who shy’s away from the limelight and is more comfortable crafting her equestrian business with husband Brazilian Alvaro de Miranda Neto, has facilitated the Global Champions Tour partnership in Brazil since 2007,  firstly positioned in Sao Paulo before moving to the famous landmark in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.

Above Photo credit: Stefano Grasso/GCT