INTRODUCING THE 2023 GCL TEAM - Valkenswaard United

The Global Champions League (GCL) is a team competition in show jumping, which takes place over several legs throughout the year at different locations around the world. Here's how it works:

Teams: Each team consists of two to five riders (and once again every team will field a U25 rider as part of GCL’s commitment to the development of talented youth at the top level of show jumping) who represent a particular city or region. There are usually around 16 teams that compete in each leg of the competition.

Format: The competition is held over two rounds, with each rider jumping one round. The team's overall score is the total of the best three scores from the two rounds.

Scoring: Points are awarded for each placing in the round, with the winner getting 30 points, second place getting 28 points, and so on down to 1 point for 30th place. The team with the most points at the end of the competition is the winner.

Prize Money: The prize money is shared between the riders on the winning team. In addition, each rider earns points towards the individual rankings of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT).

Final: At the end of the season, the top 16 teams in the overall standings qualify for the Global Champions League Super Cup, which is a two-round final held at the end of the season. The winning team is crowned the Global Champions League Champion - This year team spirit, team tactics and the strongest combinations are what’s needed to win. Only the top teams will survive the ultimate showdown in the GCL Super Cup at the season-closing GC Prague Playoffs where a stunning €10 million will be up for grabs in just one weekend this November.

Team Valkenswaard United 

Crowd favourites and Championship contenders in the Valkenswaard United team return for another season, looking to up their results from 2022. 

Returning to the team, Marcus Ehning, Edwina Tops-Alexander, and U25 Gilles Thomas, John Whitaker and Andre Thieme are joined by a fresh face in Oliver Lazarus in 2023, who will be hoping to build on their experience and continue their successful run from last year.

Gilles Thomas Competing for: Belgium Age: 24

As a newcomer in the GCL team competition in 2020, Gilles made a very promising start with a double clear in his first appearance for Miami Celtics in Doha. This year he re-joins the mighty Valkenswaard United team for a third season and will be one to watch alongside an impressive list of experienced names for the team.

Edwina Tops-Alexander Competing for: Australia From: Monaco Age: 48

Edwina was a newcomer to the Valkenswaard United team in 2021, but definitely not to the GCL team competition, as she competed with the Shanghai Swans in 2016, followed by a season with the Moscow Bears and two seasons with the St Tropez Pirates. Her 2019 season was marked with two-second place finishes in Paris and Valkenswaard, and in 2021, Valkenswaard United were crowned overall season champions.

Edwina rides for Valkenswaard United once more in 2023, alongside some top names including Marcus Ehning and John Whitaker, and the team will be bidding to bring back their championship crown!

Oliver Lazerus Competing for: South Africa Age: 36

Andre Thieme Competing for: Germany Age: 47

John Whitaker Competing for: United Kingdom Age: 67

Legend of show jumping John Whitaker joins Valkenswaard United for the 2023 season again, alongside several other top names of the sport. The team have recruited some exciting talent to help them in their bid for a third championship title, with John riding alongside the likes of Marcus Ehning and Edwina Tops Alexander and U25 rider Gilles Thomas.

Marcus Ehning Competing for: Germany Age: 48

Marcus is entering his 6th consecutive year riding for Valkenswaard United. As a pillar of the team, Marcus was part of the team finishing second Cascais, Chantilly and London 2019, bringing his experience of years competing at the top level of the sport. He joins a lineup of icons of show jumping on the team for 2020, including Edwina Tops-Alexander, John Whitaker and Laura Kraut. Valkenswaard United were crowned season champions in 2021 - will they be able to do the same for 2023?