All roads lead to GHPC – human and equine stars at the CSI3*

Equestrian sports fans have something to look forward to. The starter’s list of riders and horses for the Season Opening taking place at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria from February 1st till 4th, 2018 is a veritable line-up of stars. Numerous leading athletes from approximately 14 nations have enrolled for Austria’s first international show jumping this year. Fans will have the chance to see the stars, accompanied by around 170 horses, up close at the GHPC Austria.

The elite line-up is headed by current number 13 worldwide, Martin Fuchs. This 25-year-old rider from Switzerland is in top shape and, in mid-January, celebrated a spectacular home victory at the CSI 5* World Cup Grand Prix in Basel (SUI). He has already taken gold at the Youth Olympic Games, team bronze twice at the European Championships and secured the Glock’s Grand Prix twice. In February 2012 he was victorious in the GLOCK’s 3* Grand Prix and, in June 2017, ex aequo with his compatriot Steve Guerdat in the GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix. His objective? Quite clearly to win the GLOCK’s 3* Grand Prix. That would be the perfect hat-trick. 

Also competing for Switzerland is Pius Schwizer, winner of the 2015 GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix. This Olympic bronze medal winner and European champion currently ranks 68th in the world ranking list and is equally keen to know the outcome at the GHPC Austria. 

GLOCK Rider Gerco Schröder (NED) will also be coming to his second home for the Season Opening. The two-times world and five-times European champion as well as silver medal winner in the Olympic Games will be attending his ‘home tournament’ with three GLOCK horses participating in all three CSI3* competitions. Gerco Schröder will be strongly supported by participants from his home country, including Olympic silver medal winner, world and European champion Jur Vrieling, Olympic silver medal winner Marc Houtzager and 19-year-old Sanne Thijssen, who has already represented The Netherlands in the Nations Cup and is said to be the shooting-star in the realm of show-jumpers.

Also to be seen as fierce competition are the experienced Belgian rider Wilm Vermeir (World’s No. 65) and many-times victorious German rider Marco Kutscher.

Local heroes of the likes of Christian Rhomberg (V), Julia Houtzager-Kayser (T) and Roland Englbrecht (OÖ) are hoping for support. 

Those who would like to witness the “Battle of Titans” live will be able to do so from February 1st  till 4th at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER. Free entrance to the indoor tournament grounds. 

INFOBOX
What: International Show Jumping
When: 01–04/02/2018
Where: GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER Austria
VIP day tickets: call +43 664 88 73 44 01
Free entry to all competitive events

www.ghpc.at

After his GLOCK‘s 3* Grand Prix victory in February 2012 and victory in the GLOCK’s 5* Grand Prix in June 2017, successful Swiss rider Martin Fuchs has a good chance of achieving triple victory in the Season Opening at GHPC Austria. © Nini Schäbel

Many-times Championat rider Gerco Schröder succeeded in winning quite a few top tournaments with GLOCK’s Zaranza. In 2018 the Dutch GLOCK Rider also strives to be top-ranking in his ‘home-event’. © GHPC / studiohorst

At the European Championships in Gothenburg (SWE) 2017, Vorarlberg-based rider Christian Rhomberg was the best Austrian rider, ranking 16th in the individual competition. In February he will visit the GHPC Austria with his best horses. © Michael Rzepa