Thursday, 24 January 2013 Olympic, World and European Champions

Equestrian star parade at the GHPC

The international season start to be staged at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER from 31 January to 3 February is drawing the crème de la crème of the riding scene. World famous riders from 28 nations will be taking part, much to the delight of local equestrian sport enthusiasts.

No fewer than three World champions, two Olympic champions, five European champions and three World Cup winners will be competing. Also high on the list of big names will be the runner-up World and European champions, silver and bronze medal winners at Olympics, World and European championships.

Austria’s Hugo Simon and the UK’s John Whitaker have international reputations as living legends. In addition to countless international successes and ten national championship titles, Hugo also has some special trophies at home. In 1974, aged 31, he won bronze at the World Championships in Hickstead, in 1980 individual gold and team bronze at the alternative Olympics in Rotterdam and in 1992 team silver in Barcelona at his fifth Olympics (!). John Whitaker has amassed an unbelievable collection of one Olympic silver medal, two World Championship silvers and three bronzes, two World Cup wins, four European Championship golds, four silvers and two bronzes.

The two Germans Lars Nieberg and Franke Sloothaak each have two Olympic golds to their names. Nieberg is also World and European champion and Sloothaak three-time World champion and vice-European champion.

Another CSI3* contender is World champion Jos Lansink. The Belgian took his title in Aachen in 2006 and has not only chalked up many Grand Prix wins but also World Championship bronze, European Championship gold, silver and bronze.

Aachen also saw the Dutchman Gerco Schröder being crowned Team World Champion in 2006. Furthermore, topping his list of successes are European Championship gold in Mannheim (2007) and two silver medals at the London 2012 Olympics in the individual and team events. The star-studded Dutch team includes the two world-famous show jumpers Marc Houtzager and Jur Vrieling, who will also both be coming to the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER.

The youngest gold-winning rider hails from Switzerland, will be competing in the GLOCK Grand Prix on 3 February to defend his title and is regarded as the shooting star of show jumping: Martin Fuchs. Swiss show jumping Rookie of the Year in 2012 and European Young Rider Champion in 2012, the 20-year-old trains with Olympic champion Steve Guerdat. Despite his youthful years, he already has a gold medal at the 2010 Olympic Youth Games, a European Championship gold, four silvers and a bronze to his credit.

From Thursday, 31 January 2013 you can see the stars in action at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER and the best news is that admission is free!