Season 28 January – 21 November 2026
Source: https://www.gcglobalchampions.com/en-us/schedule
The 2026 equestrian jumping season is a landmark year, highlighted by the FEI World Championships in Aachen and the 20th anniversary of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT).
Below is the calendar of major international jumping events scheduled for 2026.
Q1: Winter & World Cup Series
The beginning of the year is dominated by the conclusion of the 2025/2026 FEI World Cup Western European and North American Leagues.
- January 28 – February 1: Longines FEI Jumping World Cup — Thermal, USA
- March 4–7: LGCT Season Opener — Doha, Qatar
- March 17–22: CSI5* Saut Hermès — Paris, France
- March 24–29: CSI5* Winter Equestrian Festival (WEF) — Wellington, USA
Q2: The World Cup Final & Spring Tour
The indoor season concludes with the prestigious World Cup Final before the sport moves entirely outdoors.
- April 3–5: LGCT Miami Beach — USA
- April 8–12: FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final — Fort Worth, Texas, USA
- April 16–19: LGCT Mexico City — Mexico
- May 1–3: LGCT Shanghai — China
- May 15–17: LGCT Madrid — Spain
- May 22–24: CHIO Aachen “TSCHIO” — Aachen, Germany (Note: In 2026, the traditional CHIO Aachen is held in May to accommodate the World Championships in August).
Q3: Summer Majors & World Championships
This is the peak of the season, featuring the most significant event of the four-year cycle.
- June 4–6: LGCT Cannes — France
- June 11–13: LGCT Ramatuelle / Saint-Tropez — France
- June 19–21: LGCT Paris (Eiffel Tower) — France
- July 2–4: LGCT Monaco — Monaco
- July 16–19: LGCT Riesenbeck — Germany
- August 7–9: LGCT London — United Kingdom
- August 11–23:FEI World Equestrian Championships — Aachen, Germany
- Jumping Qualifier: August 19
- Team Final (Medals): August 20–21
- Individual Final (Medals): August 23
- September 4–6: LGCT Valkenswaard — Netherlands
- September 24–27: LGCT Vienna — Austria (TBC)
Q4: The Grand Finale
The season winds down with the debut of new venues and the high-stakes Playoffs.
- October 9–11: LGCT Rome — Italy
- October 22–24: LGCT Cairo (Debut at the Pyramids) — Egypt
- October 30 – November 1: LGCT Finals — Rabat, Morocco
- November 18–21: GC Playoffs — Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Major Series at a Glance
| Series / Event | Period | Key Location |
| FEI World Cup Final | April 8–12 | Fort Worth, USA |
| CHIO Aachen (Spring) | May 22–24 | Aachen, Germany |
| FEI World Championships | August 11–23 | Aachen, Germany |
| LGCT Season | March – November | Global (17 Stages) |
LGCT stands for the Longines Global Champions Tour.
It is the world’s premier five-star (CSI5*) show jumping series, often referred to as the “Formula 1 of Equestrian Sport.” Founded in 2006 by Olympic gold medalist Jan Tops, it brings together the top-ranked riders in the world to compete in iconic locations.
Key Features of the LGCT
- Elite Competition: Only the top 30 riders in the FEI World Rankings are gain automatic invitation to the tour, ensuring the highest level of sport.
- Unique Venues: Unlike traditional equestrian events held in rural showgrounds, LGCT events take place in the heart of major cities, such as:
- Paris: At the foot of the Eiffel Tower.
- Miami Beach: Directly on the shoreline.
- Rome: In the historic Circus Maximus.
- Monaco: Alongside the yacht harbor.
- Global Champions League (GCL): Running alongside the individual tour (LGCT) is a team-based competition called the GCL. Owners and sponsors form teams of riders who compete for points throughout the season.
- The GC Playoffs: The season concludes with the Global Champions Playoffs, featuring the “Super Grand Prix,” where the winners of each individual leg compete for one of the largest prize purses in the sport.
Why it Matters
The LGCT changed the landscape of show jumping by introducing significant prize money and global media coverage, moving the sport toward a more commercial, high-profile spectator format.
About Victor Bettendorf
Victor Bettendorf has had a very active start to his 2026 equestrian season, highlighted by several high-profile victories and a consistent presence in the European jumping circuit.
Based on recent competition data for early 2026, his program has focused on the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) and the Longines FEI World Cup series.
Key Events & Victories (Jan – March 2026)
- Oliva Nova, Spain (Spring MET I): One of his biggest early successes came in late January, where he won the CSI3 1.50m Grand Prix* riding Encore Toi du Linon. He was also highly successful in the ranking classes during this tour.
- Valencia, Spain (Moura Tours): Throughout February, Bettendorf participated in the Spring Tour in Valencia with a large string of horses, including Just A Dream Star, Charabia de La Roque Z, and Champion de La Roque Z.
- Leipzig, Germany (Partner Pferd): In mid-January, he competed in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ leg, securing a top-5 finish in the Speed Cup with Cancun Torel Z.
- Paris, France (Saut Hermès): Just this past weekend (March 20–22, 2026), he competed at the prestigious Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais, riding Doha de Riverland.
Current Horse Roster for 2026
His 2026 program relies on a mix of established stars and developing talent:
- Encore Toi du Linon: Currently one of his most consistent Grand Prix mares.
- Doha de Riverland: His primary mount for 5* events like the Saut Hermès.
- Cancun Torel Z: Used for high-speed classes and World Cup qualifiers.
- Foxy de la Roque: The horse he famously rode to victory in the 2024 LGCT Super Grand Prix, remaining a key part of his top-level strategy.
Upcoming 2026 Outlook
- Global Champions League (GCL): Following his historic win in the LGCT Super Grand Prix, he is expected to be a major player in the 2026 GCL season. The season will conclude at the GC Playoffs in Riyadh (November 18–21, 2026).
- FEI World Cup: Having earned points in the Western European League (Leipzig, etc.), he is tracking for potential qualification for the World Cup Finals.
Victor Bettendorf has had a remarkably successful first quarter of 2026, maintaining his reputation as one of the fastest riders on the circuit. His season has been characterized by several wins and high-podium finishes across major European tours.
Major Wins & Top Results (Jan – March 2026)
- Oliva Nova, Spain (Spring MET I):
- 1st Place: CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix (January 25) riding Encore Toi du Linon. He was one of only three riders to go double clear, finishing with a lightning-fast jump-off time of 38.86 seconds.
- St. Tropez, France:
- 1st Place: CSI3* 1.45m Grand Prix Qualifier (March 13) riding Qwando Van De Rispen.
- 2nd Place: CSI2* 1.45m Qualifier riding Champion de La Roque.
- 10th Place: CSI3* 1.55m Grand Prix; despite having the fastest time in the jump-off (39.84s), a single rail down dropped him out of the top spots.
- Saut Hermès, Paris (March 20–22):
- 2nd Place: CSI5* Prix du Grand Palais (1.45m) riding Cancun Torel Z, finishing just 0.10 seconds behind Martin Fuchs.
- Participation: He competed in the prestigious Grand Prix Hermès (1.60m) with Encore Toi du Linon.
- FEI World Cup Standings:
- As of late January 2026, he holds a solid position in the Western European League standings (currently 52nd) after picking up points in legs like Leipzig and Amsterdam.
Key Horses in 2026
His performance this year has relied on a diverse string of horses, each suited for different types of classes:
| Horse | Primary Role | Recent Highlight |
| Encore Toi du Linon | Grand Prix / World Cup | Winner of the Oliva Nova 3* GP |
| Doha de Riverland | 5* High-Level Sport | Top-tier performances in Paris and London |
| Cancun Torel Z | Speed Specialist | 2nd place at Saut Hermès (1.45m) |
| Qwando Van De Rispen | Rising Star | Winner of the 1.45m in St. Tropez |
What’s Next?
Bettendorf is currently listed for the upcoming outdoor season, where he is expected to be a heavy hitter in the Longines Global Champions Tour. Given his current form, he is a favorite for the speed classes in the upcoming April events.
