Exciting chase after points for EC and WC

Anyone active in today’s international show jumping sport is literally spoilt for choice. Practically every weekend there’s a large choice of lucrative top events around the world. So what criteria do the professionals use to decide where to travel with their four-legged partners? It’s clear: events offering  large prize pots, and as many World Ranking list tests as possible, are highly sought after. If a contender can also qualify for championships at these tournaments, the run on places at the start line is even greater. At the CSI5* International Show Jumping at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria from 15th – 18th June 2017, precisely these criteria are met, making it correspondingly attractive to professionally active riders.

Five chances for points
Alongside prize money totalling 601,000 euros, at the GHPC Austria it’s about five tests with important points for the Longines World Ranking. Collecting these is an important goal for these athletes. Because only those contending near the top of the World Ranking list get invited to the top events in this world. Similarly, it’s only there that the most points are available to chase.

The international federation for equestrian sports, the FEI, classifies events into 14 ranking groups, in each of which there are distinct systems of points. The higher the level of a tournament, the more World Ranking points are allocated. Alongside the category, the prize money also plays a decisive role. For example, if a test carries prize money of at least 24,600 euros, it falls within the lowest regular ranking group D, in which the winner earns 50 points on his or her account. In the highest regular ranking group AA, at least 268,800 euros of prize money must be allocated to a test. Correspondingly, beckoning the winner are 150 points for the World Ranking list. So with a prize pot of 345,000 euros, GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix is at the maximum and the contest for victory will be correspondingly thrilling.

Check on form & chance to qualify
Results in GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix will also be of enormous significance for the 2017 European Championships in Gothenburg and the 2018 World Equestrian Games in Tryon. Because the test counts as a qualification test for both championships. Just 21 five-star event venues worldwide were selected for these important qualifications and, thanks to the outstanding conditions for both riders and horses, once again GHPC Austria counts among these elite events.

In order to qualify in the hard contest for starting places, it’s necessary to finish the GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix with no more than eight penalty points. Because this is the minimum requirement in order to receive a so-called “Certificate of Capability” for participation in World and European Championships. The better the result, the more likely the athletes will be considered by their chefs d’équipe. As to who can ultimately secure themselves tickets to the championships, that remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: a victory in GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix at GHPC Austria is guaranteed to raise the odds.

INFOBOX
What: International Show Jumping 
When: June 15th – 18th 2017
Where: GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria 
VIP day tickets: for requests please call +43 664 8873 4401
Free entry to all competition events
www.ghpc.at

Daniel Deusser (GER) has kept himself among the top ten in the world of show jumping and has already led the World Ranking list several times. How important tournaments with opportunities for World Ranking points are – that’s something this German rider knows only too well. © Michael Rzepa

As best Irishman in the World Ranking list, Bertram Allen has the option to select the top tournaments this world has to offer. In that context, the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria is right at the top of the list. © Michael Rzepa

Austria’s Max Kühner is currently the best red-white-red show jumping rider in the World Ranking and, in the CSI5* International Show Jumping, he might well win his guaranteed ticket to the European Championship in Gothenburg. © Nini Schäbel