Heavyweights set for epic points battle at LGCT Vienna

New LGCT Ranking leader Rolf-Göran Bengtsson heads into the penultimate leg of the Championship with a slim five points lead ahead of two-time LGCT Champion of Champions Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) as the high stakes battle between the two top riders accelerates with both confirmed to compete in Vienna and Doha. The top Swedish rider now sits on a tally of 272 points overall with Edwina on 267 points - so far this season Rolf has two Grand Prix wins under his belt with the formidable Casall ASK (Paris and Valkenswaard), and Edwina has one (Miami Beach).

From the 15th - 18th September, Vienna, the 'City of Music', will once again host the Longines Global Champions Tour for the 5th year in a row. Situated in a new venue this year, and famous for its love of the horse, Trabrennbahn Krieau will welcome the Tour for another round of thrilling action.

LGCT Vienna proved to be a pivotal point in last year’s Championship race, with Luciana Diniz (POR) clinching the Grand Prix win with her stallion Winningmood, and setting herself up perfectly for the final in Doha. The top Portuguese rider will return to Vienna this year, where she will be looking for her first win of the season. Scott Brash (GBR) will also be in action for the penultimate leg of the Tour, with the former two-time LGCT Champion of Champions hungry to be back on the LGCT podium after his win in Cannes earlier this year.

World Number 3 Simon Delestre (FRA) will be looking to carry through his LGCT Silver Medal momentum from the Grand Prix Rome, and will once again be competing at Vienna. He’ll be joined by compatriot, Olympic Team Gold winning rider and World Number 8 Kevin Staut (FRA), as well as last weekend’s winner Harrie Smolders (NED), both of whom achieved podiums in Vienna last year.

Germany will field their top riders, including Olympic Team Silver medallists Ludger Beerbaum (GER), Daniel Deusser (GER) and Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER). Former winner Marcus Ehning (GER) will also rejoin the Tour for the penultimate Grand Prix, alongside Marco Kutscher (GER), Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), John Whitaker (GBR), Lauren Hough (USA), Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), Bertram Allen (IRL) and Michael Whitaker (GBR).

One of the glittering destinations which make up this showjumping series, Vienna is home to many high-profile organisations, including the United Nations and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. This centre of European music has been voted one the most world's most liveable cities and consistently ranks highly as a world centre of cultural innovation. The city of Vienna has over 27 castles and more than 150 palaces, including Empress Sisi's baroque former summer residence, Schönbrunn Palace. Away from the excitement of the horse show, there are museums, exhibitions, architecture, amusement parks and the famous giant ferris wheel, Riesenrad. The four day festival of equestrianism in Vienna will feature live music, equestrian displays, food and entertainment, and of course, world class show jumping.

The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna will take place at 18:30 on Saturday 17th September, with the Global Champions League set to kick off on Sunday 18th September at 15:15 local time.

For the full rider list, please click here.