A competition that attracts the best riders and takes the sport to a new level – but it’s also staged under dictatorships and criticized for being only for the rich.
The World Champions Tour divides the equestrian world.
Malin Baryard Johnson says you have to pay before the best is never a positive, but it’s great competition.
“The world’s best riders and horses are guaranteed in every competition. Great crowd experiences. Great hospitality. Great sporting experience and ground-breaking finals. Highest prize money in the jump. Unique destinations around the world.”
The sales yard for the World Champions Tour isn’t holding up. Nor does the founder, former elite racer Jan Tops, who started competing in 2006.
Tops didn’t return to requesting a Sportbladet interview, but on the website, one of his quotes was drawn heavily: “My vision is clear. Only the best is for the best.”
GCP is doing its best to keep its promise. Earlier in the season, venues for competition included Miami Beach, Mexico City and Saint-Tropez. After the competitions at Stockholm Stadium, the tour moves to Paris with the Eiffel Tower as the backdrop.
Unique destinations around the world – check.
1 of 2Photo: Pontus Lundal/TT
Compete with Springsteen
The competition attracts royalty, society and celebrities to the events. At the Stockholm stadium, a red carpet leads to the VIP stand where tables are covered with white tablecloths, pink flowers and champagne in glasses. It is luxurious, exclusive and luxurious.
Only the best for the best.
1 of 3Photo: JESPER ZERMAN / BILDBYRÅN
Swedish big stars like Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Peder Fredrickson And the Henrik von Eckermann In his place (best racer in the world – check).
Other known names can also be found in the list of participants. In Stockholm, she was scheduled to compete with Jessica Springsteen, the daughter of the King of Rock Bros., but was settled at the last minute. However, Georgina Bloomberg, daughter of American billionaire and former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, competed. Like Athena Onassis, granddaughter of Greek ship magnate Aristotle Onassis, and one of the richest women in the world.
Greek ranks 2149 in the world. So it’s not just the best riders in the world that are participating. The competition consists of two parts, a team part (World Champions League) and an individual part (World Champions Tour). A total of 16 teams with six riders in each post. The best riders in the world are invited and a number of wild cards are dealt, but it is also possible to purchase a seat. The prize pool for any team in the competition is just over SEK 20 million and all teams are owned by the sponsors who choose their riders. There are examples where rich parents bought a team and then let their children be part of it.
And that’s exactly what prompted former world playmaker Steve Guerdat to boycott the competition.
I don’t want to leave behind a sport only for the rich. GCT isn’t what I want my sub to be, I believe in true heart-to-air sports, he told SVT previously.
“Getting the penalty on the right track”
The new team for this year is “Stockholm Hearts”, which is largely owned by H&M heir Charlotte Soderstrom. Among them are Malin Baryard Johnson and Peder Fredrickson. Swedish stars agree that the GCP has given the sport a boost.
– I think he was incredibly good for the world’s jumping sport. He took it to a new level. High prize money and competitions in beautiful places, which is what makes it so nice to us in the sport, to the public and to horse owners, says Fredrickson.
The positives outweigh the negatives?
– I don’t think it’s negative. The more rounds, the higher the chances of other riders getting in. I understand the criticism and those who worry about what could happen, but it didn’t really happen. Those who win here don’t win because they bought, they win because they are good riders on good horses.
Henrik von Eckermann is on the same path.
– The sport is very challenging in itself, so it doesn’t matter if you buy it, you will be chosen on the right track anyway. If you are not good enough, you will receive the punishment in court.
“Everyone wants money”
Google Certified Partners attract more prize money than any other competition.
Nearly nine million kroner will be awarded over the weekend in Stockholm and in the singles Grand Prix on Saturday, the prize screening for winners exceeds one million kronor.
“It’s a great sport in every respect, and that’s because everyone wants that money,” says Baryard Johnson, who sees the advantages and disadvantages of competition.
– It’s tough. The advantage is that the best in the world are participating, plus you have to have a U25 rider on every team. It opens up the sport to young people who have a very difficult time reaching the highest level. Being paid before those who are better is never a positive thing, but I think it straightens out. Those who have nothing to do here will not stay long.
‘You must take responsibility’
The World Champions Tour began in Qatar in March. In October, the competition is held in Saudi Arabia. Two countries often criticized for violating human rights.
Going there and competing isn’t clear for Baryard Johnson, and the star wants to see a clearer stance on the union.
– Of course you have to think about human rights. I was in Qatar and Doha and participated in the competition. It is very difficult to decide whether to boycott or not, but as athletes we also come head to head and have to take responsibility, she says and continues:
We can certainly do more than we already do, and maybe it’s a discussion you’ll have in the national team, how to help and influence. But this is something that the union must decide.
biggest joy
Henrik von Eckermann sees opportunities to make an immediate impact.
Always in life you have to weigh the pros and cons. When we talk about these countries that are a bit behind in the equestrian sport itself as well, we can actually do a good thing. We can show good riding, good horse keeping etc. I think this could give more than that, and I, Henrik von Eckermann, say that I will not come to Qatar. Someone cares as much as a bag of rice crumbles in China.
The Swedish rider had some tough competition behind him. But during the first day of competition at the Stockholm stadium, he was riding flawlessly and as fast as in the rain. It’s serene when the Olympic golden horse King Edward beats mightily over obstacles, as if the entire stadium is holding its breath.
But when the crew goes to the finish line, they knock down the evening’s biggest cheers from the home crowd.
Ultimate sports and great audience experiences – check and check.
1 of 3Photo: JESPER ZERMAN / BILDBYRÅN