The Global Champions League has announced the full 2017 team line up. According to their announcement, reigning Champions
Valkenswaard United will be looking for a repeat of their debut success after the team made history by taking the inaugural GCL Championship crown. This season will see star striker
Bertram Allen return alongside top Italian athlete
Alberto Zorzi (ITA). New to the squad will be the legendary
Marcus Ehning (GER),
Janika Sprunger (SUI) and U25 rider
Sanne Thijssen (NED).
Bertram, who once again is part of the reigning Championship team Valkenswaard United, is looking forward to taking part in the GCL again this year:
-
It’s a game-changer, and I think brilliant for our sport and the future of show jumping. It was an honour
and a bit of a dream to compete in
a team with John [Whitaker] last season, and I’m really looking forward to riding with my new teammates to try to keep the title. I think what Jan has done to develop and innovate show jumping over the years is exceptional and I’m very happy to be part of the future and progress of our sport, Bertram says in today's GCL press release.
VIEW THE VALKENSWAARD UNITED TEAM The destinationsThe 15-leg Championship will kick off in Mexico City this April, stopping off at some of the most iconic and unique locations in the world including Paris, Miami Beach, Shanghai, Rome, London, Berlin, Monaco, Cannes and Doha.
18 teamsGCL announces 18 teams to take part in the league:
The sport’s leading athletes such as Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Christian Ahlmann (GER), Simon Delestre (FRA), Marcus Ehning (GER), Eric Lamaze (CAN) and World Number 1 Daniel Deusser (GER) have all joined teams for the 2017 season, adding to the top names returning for a second year such as Kent Farrington (USA), Scott Brash (GBR), Bertram Allen (IRL), Laura Kraut (USA), Roger-Yves Bost (FRA) and John Whitaker (GBR).
With an increased 18 teams on the starting grid - this year’s line up welcomes a mix of top talent and show jumping’s rising stars, as almost 50% of the top 100 riders in the world prepare to take part in the GCL Championship this season.
VIEW ALL THE TEAMS
More informationReference: Press Release by GCL/ www.globalchampionsleague.com.
Photo credit: GCL