Every weekend, the best riders in the world meet on the most beautiful grounds of the planet to measure themselves against each other. Often, these high level competitions are part of circuits to reward the regularity of the riders once they have competed in all the stages. The international circuits are numerous, and it is sometimes difficult to find your way through all the stages and finals. To help you, Wiki-Horse presents the 5 best circuits in the world of equestrian sports, all disciplines included.
The Longines Masters
Organized by EEM World, the Longines Masters were created with the aim of reinventing show jumping, to bring the discipline to the forefront of the international scene. To achieve this, Christophe Ameeuw (CEO of EEM) and his team were inspired by the Grand Slam format in tennis.
After launching the Gucci Paris Masters in 2009, which takes place at the Salon du Cheval in Paris, EEM chose to internationalize its master’s and launched the Longines Masters in Hong Kong in 2013. After Europe and Asia, the Longines Master was exported to America in 2014, with the Longines Master of Los Angeles. In 2015, these three competitions were united under the “Longines Masters: Grand Slam Indoor of Show Jumping” circuit. Since then, each year, riders compete in three stages, now located in three of the world’s most influential cities: Paris, New York, and Hong Kong, to win this prestigious and exceptional circuit. The prize money for the Longines Masters is worthy of the event: €4,500,000 for the entire series. Bonus prizes are awarded to riders who achieve the Grand Slam feat: the rider who succeeds in winning three successive stages (on the three continents) of the Longines Master from one season to the next wins a bonus of €1,000,000. A bonus of €2,250,000 goes to the rider who manages to win the 3 Longines Grand Prix in one season, i.e., in the order of the three stages (Paris, Hong Kong then New York). In addition to the Grand Prix series, the Longines Masters is also the Longines Speed Challenge, speed events on each continent. Always ready to innovate in event formats and in search of excellence, EEM launched the Riders Masters Cup in the 2017/2018 season: an equestrian Ryder Cup where the United States and Europe compete on the principle of duel, a new format.
The Longines Masters circuit aims to be open to all nations, all generations, and all disciplines, which is why EEM welcomes dressage at these events (as in the custom demonstrations in Los Angeles) and why the organizer has relaunched polo in Asia at the Hong Kong Masters.
While show jumping is at the center of the circuit, the show and the art of living are not left out. It is an opportunity for many celebrities or business leaders to meet there to enjoy the show while ensuring public relations and network development.
In 2017, the circuit even won the Silver Trophy of the Grand Prix Strategies du Sport, in the “Event Operation” category.
The Event Rider Masters
Eventing riders and amateurs cannot do without the Event Rider Masters circuit, during which the world’s best CCE riders compete for the prestigious circuit title during 6 stages. In 2018, the circuit ran at Chastworth House, Wiesbaden, Arville, Barbury Castle, Haras de Jardy to conclude at Blair Castle in late August. The competition is held in the CIC3* format (CIC**** new format): two-day competitions where the cross-country is held after the show jumping and where two of the three tests are held on the same day. Only forty riders are accepted per competition, to keep the schedule, except in Wiesbaden where only 30 entries are allowed. The selection of the starters is made according to the FEI ranking, but two places are also reserved for Olympic champions and riders who have won a CCI 4* (CCI ***** new format) in the last ten years: the Event Rider Masters is therefore a magnificent line-up of riders gathered in superb locations. Because the ERM also aims to promote CCE, two places are reserved for riders from countries where the discipline is developing.
Another strong point of the circuit is the amount of prize money, which is historic for Eventing: The Event Rider Masters is the richest circuit in the world: £350,000 spread over the 6 competitions, i.e., £50,000 per stage and a £50,000 bonus for the winner of the circuit.
Created by British Eventing, the institution in charge of eventing in Great Britain and under the leadership of Chris Stone, the Event Rider Masters is a recent circuit, it was born in 2016, only two years ago. Originally, all the stages were held in England and Scotland, but the circuit was able to export the concept so that in 2017 two stages were created on the European continent: Jardy (in France) and Wiesbaden (in Germany). The circuit then had 7 stages. In 2018, Arville in Belgium also integrates the ERM calendar, but it is a return to 6 stages since Blenheim and Gatcombe, two stages in Great Britain disappear.
The Event Rider Masters is therefore an innovative circuit, which promotes eventing and excites both riders and spectators by offering world-class sport.
The Global Champions Tour
Bringing together the world’s best riders in the world’s most beautiful cities, in spectacular locations, was the goal of Jan Tops, founder of the circuit whose motto is “Only the best for the best”. Created in 2005 and today composed of 17 stages, the Global Champions Tour aims to promote the best of show jumping.
Mexico City, Miami (on the beach), Shanghai, Madrid, Hamburg, Saint Tropez, Cannes, Estoril, Monaco, Paris (at the foot of the Eiffel Tower), Chantilly, Berlin, London, Valkenswaard, Rome, Doha, and Prague: so many dream destinations where the circuit stops. All competitions are CSI 5* since 2007 and the circuit is official with the FEI since 2013. The first 15 stages constitute the Global Champions Tour, Doha, 16th stage, the final of the circuit and, new in 2018, Prague hosts the Playoffs. The GCT is meant to be spectacular and is among the most highly rated circuits.
Since 2016, the Global Champions Tour has hosted the Global Champions League, a new competition format inspired by the most popular sports leagues (closed leagues such as the NFL or the NBA). The teams are composed of 4 to 15 riders, with a maximum of 2 in the world’s Top 30. The teams are not constituted by nationality, which creates a mix of cultures and horse riding. As in high level team sports, there is a season of transfers and team managers in the GCL. At each stage of the circuit, two riders from each team are designated to compete in two rounds with a time trial and a jump-off. The prize money for each competition amounts to 200 000€ for the League alone, to be added to the prize money of the Tour stage.
The GCT attracts the best competitors in the world, notably thanks to the generous prize money it offers, but it is also criticized because its format, where participants pay an entry fee to be part of a team, maintains the very elitist aspect of horse riding, by putting money before talent. In addition, some competitions fall at the same time as Nations Cup events and some riders are forced to choose between racing for their country or racing for bigger paydays.
The FEI World Cup Circuit
The FEI World Cup Jumping Circuit is a winter indoor circuit that has been held every year since 1978. Each of the 16 leagues organizes a circuit and the participating riders accumulate points in the hope of qualifying for the finals. Many of the European stages are well known and in France we are lucky to host a stage in Lyon (during Equita Lyon) and a stage in Bordeaux (Jumping de Bordeaux). The final changes location every year and welcomes the 40 best riders of the circuit, including 18 for the Western European League.
In 1985, dressage also saw the birth of its FEI World Cup. Each year, divided into 4 leagues (Western Europe, Central Europe, North America, and Pacific) and during 10 months of competition, the riders compete for the qualification for the final where only the 18 best riders are invited. They will compete on a compulsory test and a free test to music.
And because equestrianism is not limited to the Olympic disciplines, the FEI also organizes its world cup circuit for driving and vaulting, both launched for the 2010-2011 season. In driving, it is an indoor circuit with a 4-horse carriage which is contested over 7 or 8 stages, and which is decided in a final. In acrobatics, there are 3 distinct categories: individual men, individual women, and pas de deux.
Also launched in 2010, the FEI World Cup Eventing series was finally suspended in 2013 following the 2012 FEI General Assembly in Istanbul. The FEI website states that the circuit was stopped to review and redefine its concept.
The FEI Nations Cup circuit
Another circuit managed by the FEI, the Nations Cup was created in 1909, which makes it the oldest team challenge in equestrian sports. Old but no less prestigious with time, teams from all over the world compete to win the Cup each year. The three Olympic disciplines have their Nations Cup and the young show jumpers are not left out since the FEI also reserves them a nations circuit. The objective is to unite countries and to create a real craze for horses around the world.
The competitions take place in teams of 4 but only the three best scores count at the end.
In show jumping, the circuit is composed of 6 leagues (Europe divisions 1 and 2, Central and North America, South America, Middle East, Asia/Australia, and Africa) around the world which allow to qualify for the Final which takes place in Barcelona, and which counts 20 teams. The competitions hosting the Nations Cups are CSIO 5*, France, which is in the European Division 1 group, is lucky enough to host one of the 8 stages of the circuit in La Baule, in May.
In 2012, the FEI decided to create a Nations Cup for the completists. Tried until 2015, the CCE circuit was a remarkable success and was therefore renewed in 2016 to become permanent. Open to all nations, this circuit is run on the short and long CIO formats. In 2018, the Eventing Nations Cup had 8 stages including 7 CICO 3* and one CCIO 3*. Only one of the competitions has been held across the Atlantic since 2016, with the rest of the circuit remaining in Europe.
In 2013, the FEI Nations Cup Circuit expanded and launched the Nations Cup in dressage. Little by little, this circuit is growing in 2019, the circuit will have 8 stages, including one on American soil, against only 4 European stages at its creation.
As for the Young Riders Nations Cup, it is divided into 4 categories: Ponies, Children, Juniors, and Young Riders. In 2018, it was run over 8 qualifying stages and a final with only European teams participating.
The Nations Cup circuit has thus diversified in recent years to reach more disciplines and arouse ever greater enthusiasm.
