From Paris to Monaco: Inside the 2026 LGCT Season — Results, Riders, and the Arab World's Biggest Equestrian Moment

The most glamorous show jumping circuit in the world just completed its most emotionally charged stage of 2026. Under the lights of Port Hercule, with superyachts lining the harbour and Paul Pogba among the celebrity crowd, a 37-year-old Brazilian rider climbed off his horse and ran to embrace his groom — tears streaming — after claiming the first five-star Grand Prix victory of his career. The location: Monaco. The rider: Stephan de Freitas Barcha. The horse: Dinozo Imperio Egipcio.

Eight stages into its 20th anniversary season, the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour is delivering the kind of drama that has made it the world's premier equestrian circuit. This is everything you need to know — the full picture, stage by stage, rider by rider, and why this season matters more than ever to the Arab world.

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The Circuit: 20 Years of LGCT

Founded in 2006 by Dutch Olympic gold medallist Jan Tops, the Longines Global Champions Tour brings together the top 30 riders in the FEI World Rankings at CSI5* events — the highest classification in civilian show jumping — across some of the world's most iconic locations. Prize funds reach €500,000 per Grand Prix. Points accumulate into a Championship, with the season-ending GC Playoffs in Riyadh determining the champion.

The 2026 season marks the tour's 20th anniversary, celebrated with 17 stages across four continents, its most ambitious calendar to date, and — for the first time — an event in Egypt, bringing elite show jumping to the Arab world outside the Gulf.

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How It Works: Format and Rules

Every LGCT Grand Prix is contested over two rounds at 1.60 metres — the maximum height in competitive show jumping outside the Olympic Games. In the first round, riders attempt to jump all obstacles clean within a time allowed. Those who finish with zero faults proceed; if there are enough clean rounds, a jump-off decides the winner. In the jump-off, speed is everything: riders take the same course but optimise every turn, every stride, every angle to shave tenths of a second. A single knocked rail means four faults and, usually, a place off the podium.

The Championship is decided by accumulated points across the season, with a rule that only 50% of a rider's best results count toward the total — meaning consistency matters as much as peak performance.

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The Full 2026 Season: Stage by Stage

Stage 1 — Doha, Qatar (4–7 March): CANCELLED

The season's opening act was silenced before it began. The LGCT confirmed that the Doha event at the world-class Al Shaqab arena would not proceed due to the situation in the region, citing airspace restrictions and operational limitations. All horses and personnel on site were confirmed safe. The cancellation was a significant loss for the tour's Arab world profile in its milestone year, though the LGCT reaffirmed its long-term commitment to Al Shaqab and Qatar.

Stage 2 — Miami Beach, USA (3–5 April)

The season found its opening rhythm on the sands of Miami Beach, with the Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop. The 2026 season opened at the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab, but following the Doha cancellation, Miami Beach effectively became the season opener, setting the early championship shape.

Stage 3 — Mexico City, Mexico (16–19 April)

The tour moved to the iconic Campo Marte in Chapultepec Park. Italy's Piergiorgio Bucci claimed the Grand Prix aboard Pallieter vd N.Ranch — a victory that would prove to be the foundation of a remarkable season for the Italian veteran.

Stage 4 — Shanghai, China (1–3 May)

Belgium's Nicola Philippaerts won the Shanghai Grand Prix aboard Moya vd Bisschop, adding an Asian dimension to the early championship battle and beginning the European push.

Stage 5 — Madrid, Spain (15–17 May)

The tour returned to the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, a venue known for its technical demands and partisan Spanish crowds.

Stage 6 — Cannes, France (4–6 June): Abdel Saïd Takes Charge

In the unique setting of the Stade des Hespérides, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop and luxury yachts lining the bay, Abdel Saïd found the perfect balance between calculated risk and absolute precision, claiming victory in the €500,000 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cannes.

Riding Wathnan Zasou vom Claashof, a 12-year-old Hanoverian mare, the Belgian stormed through the jump-off in 39.44 seconds — more than enough to leave Ireland's Michael Pender and HHS Cyprus almost two seconds behind.

Pender's runner-up finish in Cannes represented a breakthrough moment for the 23-year-old Irishman, confirming his arrival as a genuine championship contender.

Stage 7 — St Tropez, Ramatuelle, France (11–13 June): Youth Shocks the Establishment

Pampelonne Beach delivered the season's most shocking result. The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Ramatuelle, St Tropez delivered exactly the kind of drama the French Riviera has become famous for — a star-studded field packed with championship contenders arrived at Pampelonne Beach chasing a share of the €500,000 prize fund, but when the dust settled it was two U25 riders left standing.

In a remarkable twist, just two combinations found the answer to a demanding first-round track, setting up a head-to-head jump-off between Monaco's Anastasia Nielsen and Belgium's Thibeau Spits.

Recently celebrating her 20th birthday, Anastasia Nielsen delivered one of the standout performances of the season to secure the second Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory of her career.

Nielsen reflected on the victory: "I honestly love this place. I love this show. Back in 2021, I won the one-star Grand Prix here with my horse Zero. I remember how happy we were then, and to be back here five years later and win the five-star LGCT Grand Prix is just amazing."

The battle for the 2026 LGCT Championship took another dramatic twist in St Tropez as Abdel Saïd jumped into the overall lead, sitting on 133 points after a remarkable run of consistency that included victories in Cannes and St Tropez.

Stage 8 — Paris, France (19–21 June): Kühner's Masterclass Under the Eiffel Tower

The Longines Global Champions Tour returned to one of its most iconic venues — the Champ de Mars — from June 19–21, with the Eiffel Tower as the unmistakable backdrop.

With the Eiffel Tower standing proudly over the iconic Champ de Mars arena, Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue produced a performance worthy of the Paris stage to claim victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Paris 2026.

In front of packed grandstands and under immense pressure, the Austrian rider delivered a superb double clear, stopping the clock in a blistering 38.36 seconds in the jump-off to secure his first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix win of the season. The victory not only earned Kühner the coveted golden ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Riyadh Playoffs, but also propelled him to second in the overall Championship standings, just five points behind leader Abdel Saïd.

Only six combinations had managed to answer every question posed by the course designer. Championship stars Peder Fredricson and Henrik von Eckermann both exited with four faults in otherwise impressive rounds.

Kühner reflected: "Fantastic. Quite a long time ago I won my last one, so I'm always happy when it happens again. The main difference was the horse. He's a naturally fast horse, so I just needed to use this flow and then I knew we would be quite quick."

Championship standings after Paris:

Position	Rider	Nation	Points
1	Abdel Saïd	Belgium	140
2	Max Kühner	Austria	135
3	Katrin Eckermann	Germany	127
4	Simon Delestre	France	118.67
5	Edwina Tops-Alexander	Australia	118.67

Stage 9 — Monaco (2–5 July): A Brazilian Makes History

Monaco delivered the season's most emotionally resonant moment. Competing beneath the lights at Monaco's iconic Port Hercule, de Freitas Barcha and Dinozo Imperio Egipcio held their nerve during a thrilling nine-horse jump-off to claim victory by just two-tenths of a second. The Brazilian pair stopped the clock in 35.40 seconds, edging out Italy's Piergiorgio Bucci aboard Pallieter vd N.Ranch, who finished second in 35.60 seconds. Germany's Christian Ahlmann completed the podium with Untouched LB after another faultless performance in 36.18 seconds.

The Monaco Grand Prix, held under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Longines Global Champions Tour in the Principality, with packed grandstands overlooking Port Hercule providing one of the sport's most recognisable backdrops.

The jump-off drama, stride by stride:

Forty combinations tackled Uliano Vezzani's demanding first-round course, but only nine produced the clear rounds required to progress to the jump-off. Among the notable casualties: championship leader Abdel Saïd, whose challenge ended with a single rail and the fastest four-fault time of the round.

Bucci was first to return for the jump-off and immediately laid down a formidable target with a quick double clear in 35.60 seconds. Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann looked capable of eclipsing that time before a rail at the penultimate fence ended his chances, while Belgium's Thibault Philippaerts also paid the price for an attacking round.

With only two riders remaining, Stephan de Freitas Barcha entered the arena aboard Dinozo Imperio Egipcio. Every stride counted as the Brazilian edged 0.20 seconds ahead of Bucci's split time before producing a breathtaking clear to stop the clock in 35.40 seconds.

The final drama came from France's Kevin Staut, who crossed every timing beam ahead of de Freitas Barcha — only for the last fence to fall in heartbreaking fashion, confirming the Brazilian as champion by the finest of margins.

De Freitas Barcha's reaction:

Speaking after the biggest win of his career, an emotional de Freitas Barcha said: "The last fence felt a long way away, but it's incredible. This is my first five-star Grand Prix win, and to do it here in Monaco, such a historic and special place, means so much. I'm really emotional because I'm doing this for a lot of people. To win my first five-star Grand Prix here is something very, very special."

On his horse: "He's unbelievable. He's a fighter. He always wants to jump clear and do his best. He's one of the really special ones, and I'm so lucky to have him."

The horse behind the victory:

Dinozo Imperio Egipcio is a 13-year-old stallion by Diamant de Semilly out of Urbain du Monnai. The pair had been building toward this moment through a strong 2026 season that included wins at the Sunshine Tour CSI4* in Vejer de la Frontera and a blazing qualifier in Rome before the Monaco crown. Aboard the 13-year-old stallion, Barcha took every risk, slicing through the turns with razor-sharp precision.

Championship standings after Monaco (Stage 9):

Abdel Saïd continues to lead the standings on 167 points, ahead of Max Kühner on 159, with Edwina Tops-Alexander third.

Position	Rider	Nation	Points
1	Abdel Saïd	Belgium	167
2	Max Kühner	Austria	159
3	Edwina Tops-Alexander	Australia	—

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The Riders Defining the 2026 Season

Abdel Saïd (Belgium) — The Consistent Champion

The Belgian rider is the model of what championship riding requires: not necessarily winning every stage, but almost never falling outside the top results. His victories in Cannes and St Tropez, combined with consistent point-scoring at every other stage, have built a lead that has survived a missed jump-off in Monaco. The championship now heads into its mid-season break before resuming at Riesenbeck for Stage 9, with the title race remaining closely contested after eight rounds.

Saïd rides under the banner of the Qatar-backed Wathnan stable, which has been one of the most significant investors in elite show jumping over the past three years. His primary horse Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z has been a consistent performer throughout the season.

Max Kühner (Austria) — Speed Incarnate

Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue have been the season's most explosive combination when they hit their stride. The Chacco-Blue son is, as Kühner himself says, naturally fast — the kind of horse whose jump-off speed doesn't require risk, just the intelligence to channel it. His Paris win at 38.36 seconds was one of the season's defining performances.

Piergiorgio Bucci (Italy) — The Veteran Challenger

The Italian veteran has been one of the season's most compelling storylines. His Grand Prix win in Mexico City opened the scoring for his campaign; his Monaco runner-up finish — going first in the jump-off and laying down 35.60 seconds that almost nobody could beat — demonstrated why riders with decades of experience still dominate this circuit. Bucci reflected: "I knew my time could be beaten because I wasn't quite tight enough to the vertical after the combination, but the rest of the round was very fast."

Anastasia Nielsen (Monaco) — A Star is Born

At 20 years old, Nielsen's St Tropez victory against the full field of LGCT championship riders was one of the most significant results for young equestrian sport in recent seasons. Riding for the Iron Dames team and trained by Cameron, she represents the next wave — the generation that will take over this circuit in the coming decade.

Henrik von Eckermann & King Edward (Sweden) — The Greatest Show

The world's most celebrated horse-rider partnership continued to captivate audiences even in stages where the scoreboard didn't fully reflect their presence. In Paris, Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward delivered Paris' must-watch moment — a performance that transcended results and reminded the packed grandstands why they came. In Monaco, von Eckermann led the jump-off at the intermediate split before a single rail denied him victory by a fraction.

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The Courses: What Makes LGCT 5* Tracks Different

LGCT Grand Prix courses are designed by some of the world's most respected course builders, led at several key stages by Italy's Uliano Vezzani. What distinguishes a 5* track from lower-level competition:

Height and spread: 1.60m vertical height with spreads (oxers) that can reach 1.80–2.00m wide. At this dimension, horses require exceptional technique and power.

Time allowed: The time allowed in LGCT rounds is typically tight — in Paris, the 79-second time allowed caught multiple combinations who jumped clean but exceeded the clock. This is deliberate: the course designer uses time as an additional filter.

Technical complexity: 5* courses feature related distances between fences that require specific strides, tight turns that demand precision, and questions that punish any mistake in rhythm or approach. In Monaco particularly, the compact Port Hercule arena amplifies every technical demand.

The jump-off: When multiple horses go clear, the jump-off is a race where riders take the same course but find their own lines — cutting angles, shortening approaches, gambling on tight turns. Monaco's narrow arena made the jump-off a nine-horse spectacle where 0.20 seconds separated first from second.

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The Arab World Angle: Three Reasons This Season Matters

1. Cairo Makes History

A standout moment in the 2026 calendar is the debut of Cairo, marking the Longines Global Champions Tour's exciting expansion into Egypt. Taking place from October 22–24, this brings the world's top 30 riders to Arab soil for a full CSI5* event for the first time outside the Gulf.

The event was launched with the presence of Egypt's Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly — a signal that this is not a peripheral addition but a state-level investment in elite equestrian sport in the Arab world.

2. The GC Playoffs in Riyadh: Where Champions Are Crowned

The season's final act takes place November 18–21 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The GC Playoffs in Riyadh mark the ultimate showdown of the LGCT season. Every Grand Prix winner across the 2026 season has earned a "Golden Ticket" to the Super Grand Prix — the single highest-stakes class in show jumping — which takes place in Riyadh. De Freitas Barcha's Monaco win earned him exactly this ticket.

3. Doha's Commitment Remains

The cancellation of the Doha stage was disappointing, but the LGCT's statement was explicit: its long-term partnership with Al Shaqab remains fully committed. Qatar remains one of the most important venues in the tour's history, and a return in 2027 is widely expected.

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What Remains: The Road to Riyadh

The championship now heads into its mid-season break before resuming at Riesenbeck for Stage 9.

Stage	Location	Date
10	Riesenbeck, Germany	16–19 July
11	London, UK	7–9 August
12	Valkenswaard, Netherlands	4–6 September
13	Vienna, Austria	24–27 September
14	Rome, Italy	9–11 October
15	Cairo, Egypt	22–24 October
16	Rabat, Morocco (Finals)	30 Oct – 1 Nov
17	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (GC Playoffs)	18–21 November

The championship race has 8 stages remaining and Abdel Saïd holds an 8-point lead over Max Kühner. In a sport where a single rail ends a Grand Prix, that margin is nothing. London, where von Eckermann has historically excelled, and Rome, where Kühner has shown his best form, could reshape everything before the Arab world finale begins.

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Where to Watch

The LGCT is available live worldwide via GCTV (gcglobalchampions.com) from approximately €4.99 per month for a Live Pass Annual. Every Grand Prix is streamed in full, with additional content including behind-the-scenes access, rider interviews, and horse profiles. For the Cairo and Riyadh events, local broadcast arrangements are expected to expand regional coverage significantly.

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Final Word

Twenty years ago, Jan Tops had a vision: to take show jumping out of rural showgrounds and into the world's great cities, making it a spectacle worthy of the sport's greatest athletes. Two decades later, that vision has produced a circuit that visits Monaco's harbour, Paris's most iconic landmark, and — in 2026 — the shadow of the Pyramids in Cairo.

The 2026 season has already delivered a Brazilian's first five-star dream, an Austrian's Parisian masterclass, and a 20-year-old from Monaco defeating the world's best. What the second half delivers — including the Arab world's defining equestrian moment in Cairo and Riyadh — remains to be seen.

The championship is open. The stakes are the highest in the sport. And the best is yet to come.