Red-white-red start in Schönbrunn: Four Austrians in the top ten

Vienna, September 25, 2026 – Strong start for Austria at the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn: Four domestic riders managed to make it into the top ten in the first test of the highest international category on Thursday. Christoph Obernauer rode Kleons Jana to third place, Bianca Babanitz took fifth place with Dakato. Julia Kogelnig finished seventh, the 21-year-old Vienna native Lena Binder a strong tenth. Also Katharina Rhomberg placed 13th and Max Kühner 16th in the front row.

Austria’s show jumping riders delivered a strong performance in the first CSI5* competition over 1.45 meters in front of Schloss Schönbrunn – and that was with intermittent rain. Christoph Obernauer from Tyrol secured third place with Kleons Jana, while Bianca Babanitz from Burgenland came in fifth with Dakato. The victory was won by the Australian Thomas McDermott with Shqely, ahead of the Dutch rider Sanne Thijssen with Jopie Amazing JR.

With the Carinthian Julia Kogelnig in seventh place and the 21-year-old Vienna native Lena Binder in tenth place, two more Austrian riders made it into the top ten. Especially Binder's placement stands out: As one of the youngest participants in the field, she thus secured one of the strongest Austrian junior results of the opening round.

Austria was also strongly represented behind them: Katharina Rhomberg from Vorarlberg finished in 13th place, while Max Kühner from Tyrol, Austria’s number one, finished in 16th place. Thus, the home squad already showed remarkable breadth in the first competition of the highest international tournament category.

37 nations in the honor courtyard of Schloss Schönbrunn

The event in Vienna is part of the Longines Global Champions Tour, which is one of the most important international series in show jumping. In 2026, the tour already visited Shanghai, Paris and Monaco. After Vienna, Cairo will be the first stop in October, with the pyramids as the backdrop. The Ehrenhof of Schloss Schönbrunn has been one of these special venues since 2025.

In Schönbrunn, the sporting program ranges from the CSI2* and junior competitions to the tests of the highest international category. For the first time, international dressage at the 4* level is also included in the program. The sporting highlight on Sunday is the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna.

An overview of the upcoming tournament days

Friday, September 25: CSI2*-competitions over 1.20 and 1.25 meters, the first international dressage Grand Prix in Schönbrunn, foal presentation and the decision in the Global Champions League in two rounds over 1.55 and 1.60 meters.

Saturday, September 26: CSI2*-competitions over 1.20 and 1.40 meters, U25 jumping over 1.40 meters, as well as CSI5*-competitions over 1.45 and 1.50 meters. In addition, there is Working Equitation, foal auction and the dressage competition.

Sunday, September 27: CSI2*-competition over 1.30 meters, CSI2* Grand Prix over 1.45 meters, U25 Grand Prix over 1.45 meters, a CSI5*-jumping over 1.45 meters and as the sporting highlight of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna Grand Prix over 1.60 meters with the staccato. In addition, there is Working Equitation and young talent in the course.

Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schönbrunn Palace
September 24-27, 2026
www.lgct-vienna.com

For enquiries, please contact:
Julia Kent +43 664 246 90 55 | julia@komma4.at

Image index
International equestrian sport in a historic setting: In the first CSI5* competition over 1.45 meters, the Australian Thomas McDermott prevailed. The Austrian team also performed strongly, including Christoph Obernauer, who finished in third place, and Bianca Babanitz in fifth place.

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