Aussie Riders headed to Valkenswaard ahead of all-important Olympic Qualifier

Aussie jumping athletes will be out in force at this weekend's Valkenswaard (NED) round of the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT), using the event to prepare for the Rio 2016 regional qualifier in which Australia will compete on 25 August.

More than a dozen Australians have entered the Valkenswaard leg, which will be held at the new Tops-International Arena at Stal Tops, the training base of Australia's leading jumping rider Edwina Tops-Alexander.

The two-time Olympian, who is also the Australian Jumping Team Captain, will play a crucial role in Australia's preparations for the regional qualifier and has pledged support to the Aussie athletes competing at Valkenswaard.

Olympians James Patterson-Robinson, Julia Hargreaves and Scott Keach as well as World Equestrian Games representatives Jamie Kermond and Amy Graham are among the Australians who are lining up to compete at the event – see below for the full Australian contingent taking on Valkenswaard LGCT.

The new state of the art facilities at Stal Tops and its close proximity to Hagen will provide a favourable environment for the Australian team to fine tune its preparations ahead of the regional qualifier.

Australia's team for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games regional qualifier in Hagen will be confirmed prior to 25 August.

Australians competing at the Valkenswaard Longines Global Champions Tour

Edwina Tops-Alexander
James Paterson-Robinson
Jamie Kermond
Julia Hargreaves
Scott Keach
Amy Graham
Evie Buller
Jamie Winning
Georgie Harvey
Hilary Hinde
Paige Jardine
Eliana Dery
Kristie Clark
Susannah Willis