Vienna, September 28, 2026 – Nearly 20,000 spectators: 180 riders from 37 nations and 350 horses: The second edition of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn came to an end on Sunday with the Grand Prix of Vienna. For the first time, the competition combined jumping and international dressage in the Ehrenhof of Schloss Schönbrunn – two Olympic equestrian disciplines at an international level. Around 400 children at the first Children’s Day, the dressage premiere, a charity foal in support of the Lichtblickhof children’s hospice and a continuously full tournament venue made it clear how strongly the event has evolved since its debut year.
„From the premiere, we have created a tournament with a clear signature of its own,“, The organizers are making a balance sheet Sonja Klima and Helmut Morbitzer after four tournament days in the courtyard of Schloss Schönbrunn, where the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna took place for the second time this year.
Four days of international equestrian sport, for the first time two Olympic disciplines and a diverse program of events: Nearly 20,000 visitors watched the competitions in the Ehrenhof of Schloss Schönbrunn; the open-access village in front of the tournament grounds also attracted around 50,000 visitors. 180 riders from 37 nations were competing with 350 horses. The sporting highlight of the weekend was the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna on Sunday evening, which was won by the German show jumper Sophie Hinners with Iron Dames Combella ahead of Peder Fredricson (Sweden) and Olivier Philippaerts (Belgium).
Two Olympic disciplines in the Hall of Fame
The biggest sporting innovation of the second edition was the international dressage competition. In addition to the show jumping at the highest international competition level, a 4-star competition was held for the first time. With Isabell Werth, the most successful Olympic rider in history won both the first international dressage Grand Prix and the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna show jumping competition. This marked the first time that show jumping and dressage – two Olympic equestrian disciplines – were featured together in the honor courtyard of Schloss Schönbrunn.
Over four days, the sporting spectrum ranged from international junior sports to the Global Champions League to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix on Sunday evening. With the new dressage competition, the U25 competitions, and the high-profile show jumping competition, the program was significantly expanded compared to the inaugural year.
From the first contact with the horse to the Grand Prix
The second edition not only saw success in top-level sports. Around 400 students took part in the first-ever Children’s Day event and learned about horses, professions, and areas of work related to the animal at more than 15 stations. At the same time, Austrian equestrian tradition was also part of the opening day with the Lipizzans from the Spanish Riding School.
For Sonja Klima It is precisely this combination that defines the unique profile of the tournament: „Vienna shows itself here as Vienna: as a city that is associated worldwide with culture, history, and tradition and that can also host top international sports. When world-class equestrian sports, the Lipizzans, young riders, and children come together in the same place within just a few days, something is created that cannot simply be transferred to another tour stop. It is this connection that we want to further develop.“
Great response from the audience
The full stands underscored the great public interest. In addition to long-time horse racing fans and families, numerous personalities from sports, culture, business, and the media also watched the competitions in the grandstand.
„Four days like these show that a historic place doesn’t have to be static. Schönbrunn can preserve its history while also providing space for international events. What is crucial is that an event respects the place and fits into it. The response to this weekend shows that this connection works,“, says Klaus Panholzer, Managing Director of the Schönbrunn Group.
Once again, the victory ceremony after the Grand Prix demonstrated how naturally sport and culture can intertwine in this place: Paolo Scariano sang Puccini’s „Nessun Dorma“. From the balcony of Schloss Schönbrunn, the Austro-Sicilian tenor thus put the musical final touch on four days of tournament.
LGCT Vienna goes into its 2027 continuation
Since 2025, Schloss Schönbrunn has been part of the Longines Global Champions Tour and has established itself as a standalone venue on the international calendar. In 2027, the tour will return to Vienna from September 23 to 26.
„Our goal is not simply to grow bigger every year. We want to carefully consider what fits Vienna, this venue, and an international tournament at this level. The second edition has given us a very good foundation for this. We want to build on that,“, so Climate and Morbitzer.
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
Strong Austrian performance in Schönbrunn: Katharina Rhomberg from Vorarlberg was one of the most successful domestic riders at the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna this weekend and convincingly won in the competitions of the highest international category on several occasions. © HORSIC photography
Great finale in Schönbrunn: The award ceremony of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Vienna after the 1.60-meter jump. © HORSIC photography
Full stands LGCT Vienna: Nearly 20,000 visitors watched the competitions in the courtyard of Schönbrunn Palace; the free-access village in front of the tournament grounds attracted an additional 50,000 visitors. © Andreas Tischler
Large sum for a good cause: The charity horse Kaiser Franz Joseph was auctioned off in the honor courtyard of Schloss Schönbrunn as part of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna for 24,000 euros. In the photo with initiator and co-organizer Sonja Klima, Franz Alexander Kollitsch, who bid the highest price, and the team of the Lichtblickhof children’s hospice around Managing Director Roswitha Zink. © Andreas Tischler
Schloss Schönbrunn as an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage site: The organizing duo Sonja Klima and Helmut Morbitzer with Klaus Panholzer, Managing Director of the Schönbrunn Group. © Andreas Tischler
A special Viennese moment to start off: The Lipizzan horses of the Spanish Hofreitschule presented classical equestrian art in the honor courtyard of Schloss Schönbrunn, thus marking the opening day of LGCT Vienna. © HORSIC photography
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