are looking forward to the inaugural Children's Day of the Longines Global Champions Tour
Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn, which has been completely sold out for weeks prior to the event.
@ Andreas Tischler
City of Vienna supports new offer for around 400 children in front of Schönbrunn Palace
Vienna, August 12, 2026 – Even weeks before the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn, it is clear that the new Children's Day on Thursday, September 24, is generating immense interest. Around 400 children from Vienna and Lower Austria are expected in the cour d'honneur of Schönbrunn Palace to experience horses up close, get active themselves, and spend a morning filled with movement, play, and exciting insights into the world of equestrian sports. Due to high demand, registration for school classes had to close early.
The first Children's Day of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn is made possible with the support of the City of Vienna. A total of 20 school classes from numerous Viennese districts as well as two classes from Lower Austria are participating. The organizers are particularly pleased with the participation of a class from the Lorenz-Kellner-Gasse school, which cares for children with autism. The diversity of the participating schools underlines the inclusive character of the project.
„Inspiring children to embrace physical activity and enabling them to experience new things is an important investment in their future. Children's Day uniquely combines sports, nature, education, and responsible interaction with animals. I am very pleased that we are supporting this project together and can make such a special day possible for so many children in Schönbrunn“, says Peter Hacker, City Councilor for Social Affairs, Health and Sports.
Even the organizers from LGCT Vienna were surprised by the high demand. Through the Vienna Education Hub of the Directorate of Education and WienXtra, the available spots were filled in a very short time. Even during the summer holidays, further registrations kept coming in. A significant part of this was due to the dedicated teachers who, even during the school-free period, clarified organizational questions, were reachable, and enabled their classes to participate in this special day.
„Horses have captivated people around the world for centuries. With our Children's Day, we want to pass on this fascination to the youngest as well. Not every child has the opportunity to come into contact with horses. That is precisely why it is important to me to create a day where children can experience these wonderful animals up close while getting to know the unique connection of equestrian sport, culture, and history against the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage site Schönbrunn Palace.“ says Sonja Klima, Co-organizer of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn.
One of the highlights of Children’s Day is 10-year-old show jumper Diana Schoenberg. At the end of July, she won a show jumping competition in Stadl-Paura with an outstanding score of 8.2, making her one of the most promising young talents in Austrian equestrian sports. At Children’s Day, she hopes to share her enthusiasm for horses with the children and show them just how much joy spending time with these animals can bring.
A varied program awaits the students: In addition to free pony rides, ASKÖ’s activity stations feature Blazepods, sprint stations, and games of skill; hobby horsing with official Longines timing; Gut Aiderbichl; the Lichtblickhof; health stations; and hands-on insights into the work of veterinarians and farriers. A station dedicated to honey and horses, creative gingerbread decorating, a bouncy castle, and a magician round out the program.
Even after Children's Day, the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna remains an experience for families. From Friday to Sunday, free pony riding, face painting, the Longines Trail, the Lichtblickhof, the Railway Museum, and many other activities provide a diverse supporting program.
Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schönbrunn Palace
September 24-27, 2026
For enquiries, please contact:
Julia Kent +43 664 246 90 55 | julia@komma4.at
Image index
Helmut Morbitzer, young equestrian rider Diana Schoenberg, Sonja Klima, and Peter Hacker are looking forward to the inaugural Children's Day of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn, which was completely booked out weeks before the event.
The reproduction of the image for press purposes is free of charge, provided the copyright „Angelo Poletto“ is stated.