London has been dropped from this year’s Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) and replaced with Mexico City.
Return to London
The London capital has hosted the prestigious showjumping tour for the past three years, however the 2016 series will not be coming to Britain. Previous venues were Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Horse Guards Parade and Syon Park near Kew Gardens.
A spokesperson from GCT told H&C they currently have a maximum of 15 events.
“Our goal is to return to London, to a central venue that is as accessible as possible to as many fans as possible,” she said.
“Our priority is also to achieve a multi-year agreement so we have a consistent location which is important for fans, as well as all our stakeholders, and we look forward to returning to the UK.”
Mexico City
Mexico replaces London, with the event being held at Campo Marte on 14-16 April. The equestrian venue is in Chapultepec Park in Mexico City, which previously hosted Olympic Games dressage and individual jumping events.
The series kicks off on Miami Beach, USA on 7-9 April. This is followed by Mexico City, Antwerp, Shanghai, Hamburg, Madrid, Chantilly, Cannes, Monaco, Paris, Estoril, Valkenswaard, Rome, Vienna, and the final in Doha.
Paris has a new venue this year with the historic park La Plaine de Jeux de Bagatelle on the banks of the River Seine hosting the event.
In 2017 it will return to its original setting of the Champs de Mars next to the Eiffel Tower, but this year it is the official site of the UEFA Euro 2016 fan zone.
Global Champions League
The GCT is now in its 11th year and will be joined by the Global Champions League for the first time after months of legal battles with the FEI.
The new event will see teams competing in a league competition, with riders from different countries joining forces.