Vienna, September 28, 2026 – Sophie Hinners (Germany) has decided on the sporting highlight of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn. In the Grand Prix over 1.60 meters, the pair prevailed in the final on Sunday evening in front of sold-out stands in the Ehrenhof of Schloss Schönbrunn. Earlier, the decisions in the CSI2* Grand Prix and the U25 Grand Prix had already been made – with strong Austrian performances. Above all, Katharina Rhomberg ensured a strong final day: The Vorarlbergerin was already the best Austrian in the CSI5* competition over 1.45 meters and entered the final with a flawless round and the best time in the basic round. Earlier, Austrian victories had also been recorded in the CSI2* Grand Prix and the U25 Grand Prix.
Eight pairs reached the final round, and in the end, a hundredths separated the top three: Sophie Hinners She won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna with Iron Dames Combella. With a flawless ride in 43.13 seconds, she took the lead on Sunday evening. Peder Fredricson (Sweden) with Alcapone of Carmille and Olivier Philippaerts (Belgium) with Hipster SV.
Katharina Rhomberg From an Austrian perspective, this was the final day at Schönbrunn. Eight pairs remained faultless in the Grand Prix main race and qualified for the final round – the Vorarlberg rider was one of them and completed the 1.60-meter course in the fastest time of the entire main round. As a result, she became the best Austrian and went into the final with a strong starting position. In the final, she finished in seventh place as a result of a mistake. Max Kühner from Tyrol finished 13th as the second best Austrian.
„A Grand Prix over 1.60 meters doesn’t forgive much. In the basic round, the main focus is on staying technically clean and error-free. In the heats, the risk comes into play. When 40 pairs are fighting for tenths of a second, you can clearly see what makes this sport what it is,“, So former Olympic rider and co-organizer of the LGCT Vienna Helmut Morbitzer.
The Grand Prix was the sporting conclusion of four days of competition at the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna | Schloss Schönbrunn. The course featured obstacles up to 1.60 meters and was worth 308,600 euros. As the competition for the highest international tournament category, it also counts towards the individual ranking of the Longines Global Champions Tour.
Katharina Rhomberg twice the best Austrian
As early as the late afternoon, Rhomberg had delivered a strong result. In the CSI5* competition over 1.45 meters, she finished fifth and was thus the best Austrian rider here as well. She won the victory. Sanne Thijssen (Sweden). The competition, which was awarded 28,200 euros, was the final event before the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in the evening.
Böhm-Hungarian double victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix
As early as lunchtime on Sunday, the decision was made in the CSI2* Grand Prix over 1.45 meters – with a strong red-white-red result as well: the two Burgenland riders Josefina Goess-Horstmann and Kevin Kazda They took the first two places in the CSI2* Grand Prix: Goess-Horstmann prevailed with Ja Belle Stability, while Kazda finished second with Centa Girl. Third place went to the German rider. Brianne Beerbaum with Kiss Mee. The competition was endowed with 25,000 euros.
Salzburger wins U25 competition
Subsequently, in the MEHR LEBEN CSIU25 Grand Prix powered by Finanzfuchsgruppe over 1.45 meters, the Salzburg rider prevailed. Tobias Pfingstl With Idiaal Special H.J. through. Second place went thanks to Corinne Sweeney to the USA, third place Ava Ferch (Germany). For the young riders, the Grand Prix was the sporting highlight of a U25 series that was a constant part of the program throughout the entire tournament weekend.
Four days, a sporting development
The Grand Prix concluded on Sunday the second edition of the Longines Global Champions Tour Vienna. For the first time, the tournament was held over four days. In addition to international show jumping, U25 sports and, for the first time, an international dressage tournament at 4* level were also on the program. The Vienna leg thus united show jumping and dressage for the first time as two Olympic equestrian disciplines in the Ehrenhof of Schloss Schönbrunn.
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
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
Big victory at the end: German show jumper Sophie Hinners won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Vienna over 1.60 meters, securing the most important individual victory of the tournament weekend in the Ehrenhof of Schloss Schönbrunn. © HORSIC photography
Strong end of day for Katharina Rhomberg: The Vorarlberger was fifth in the 1.45-meter CSI5* competition and was thus the best Austrian. In the subsequent Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix over 1.60 meters, she made it through with a flawless round and the fastest time of the opening round, finishing seventh in the end. © HORSIC photography
Strong U25 success for Austria: Tobias Pfingstl won the MEHR LEBEN CSIU25 Grand Prix powered by Finanzfuchsgruppe with Idiaal Special H.J. over 1.45 meters. © HORSIC photography
Josefina Goess-Horstmann: Win the CSI2* Grand Prix over 1.45 meters with Belle Stability.
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© HORSIC photography
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