Factfile

JAN Tops, founder and president of the Longines Global Champions Tour, is one of the most well-recognised and experienced figures in world show jumping. Born in 1961, Tops won numerous individual and team championship titles throughout his career.

He competed in four consecutive Olympic Games for the Netherlands, starting in 1988. In 1992, he rode Top Gun to win an Olympic team gold medal in Barcelona, alongside Piet Raijmakers, Jos Lansink and Bert Romp.

Shortly after winning Olympic gold, Jan launched CSI Valkenswaard and turned it into one of the best horse shows on the international equestrian scene.

But his vision and goal was to raise standards comprehensively across the whole sport, so in 2006 he launched the Global Champions Tour and transformed the world of international show jumping.

TOPS THE TRAINER

Tops rarely misses a warm-up for any of his pupils and stands at the practice fence quietly advising on each course, as well as overseeing the running of each show with an eagle eye.

When his wife Edwina is competing in a Grand Prix, Tops is by her side from a half hour before the start time until the last fence is jumped.

As a trainer, there are not many course builders that can outwit him with their tracks. Scrutinising the performances of the early riders on the course, their strides and timing enables him to advise his pupils on the pitfalls and opportunities of each individual track. Tops is devoted to his job, and doesn’t leave a main arena until the last presentation of the day is concluded.