Numerous international top riders
Vienna, September 15, 2025. From 26. - 28. september 2025 will Vienna become the center of international equestrian sport. Then the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), the premier class of equestrian sport, in the federal capital – and transforms the ceremonial courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace into a unique tournament venue for the first time. The field of participants is strong for the premiere: 15 of the current top 30 riders will compete in Vienna. „We are extremely pleased to welcome our guests at the premiere with such a strong starting field. The high density of top international athletes shows our commitment to combining top-level equestrian sport with a unique tournament setting.“ says Sonja Klima, initiator and co-organizer of LGCT Vienna.
Against a historic backdrop, a total of 60 of the world's best riders from 23 nations will compete against each other in exciting competitions. Visitors can expect an exclusive experience that promises not only top athletic performance but also a diverse program. The starting list is now finalized two weeks before the tournament begins, and it includes numerous show jumping superstars such as Christian Kukuk, Marcus Ehning, Ben Maher, Henrik von Eckermann, and Austria's Max Kühner.
The Top Riders at a Glance
CChristian Kukuk, secured the gold medal in the individual competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics with Checker 47. Last year, he also took second place in the overall Longines Global Champions Tour standings and celebrated great success as part of the Riesenbeck International GCL team, with which he has already won the championship twice.
Marcus Ehning, who also competes for Germany, is considered one of the most influential figures in international show jumping, with titles at the Olympic Games, World and European Championships, as well as multiple wins in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix. His extraordinary career is based not only on technical skill but also on his feel for horses and strong family support.
The British show jumper Ben Maher is a three-time LGCT champion and won the individual gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics with his horse Explosion W. In 2024, he secured gold again – this time in the team competition.
Henrik von Eckermann ranks among Sweden's most successful show jumpers. He has competed in the Olympic Games four times – in 2012, 2016, 2020, and 2024. In Tokyo 2020, he won the gold medal with the Swedish team, and again at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. In 2022, he became World Champion in Herning – in both the team and individual competitions – with King Edward. He also held the top spot in the show jumping world rankings for a long time.
Max Kühner is one of Austria's most well-known show jumpers. Last year, he won the Longines Global Champions Tour and has already proven himself at several World and European Championships. This season, he is part of the GCL team, the Shanghai Swans.
Home tournament – eight Austrians will compete
At the premiere at Schönbrunn Palace, alongside Katharina Rhomberg and Max Kühner, Bianca Babanitz, Thomas Himmelmayer, Julia Kogelnig, Gerfried Puck, Alessandra Reich, and Markus Saurugg will be competing in the CSI5* category.„I am particularly pleased that as many as eight Austrian athletes will be present in Schönbrunn. To represent the red-white-red colors in this unique setting is a big stage for them – and a great opportunity for the audience to experience our local talent up close.“, so Helmut Morbitzer, Sports Director of LGCT Vienna.