LONGINES announced a new long-term partnership with the Global Champions Tour this week, further cementing their commitment to the top level of show jumping and the future growth of the sport.

The global agreement will see Longines renew and extend its status as title partner and official timekeeper of the Longines Global Champions Tour circuit as show jumping continues to expand its reach and popularity in the modern sporting era.

In 2018, the Longines GCT will expand to new destinations and a new GCT Super Grand Prix will take place on Saturday, December 15th in the Czech capital of, Prague along with the newly announced Global Champions League team Play Offs.

In the new Super Grand Prix, the winning riders of all the LGCT Grands Prix in 2018 will be eligible to compete for a further prize purse.

LANDMARK

Jan Tops, founder and president of Longines Global Champions Tour, said: “I am delighted to announce this new extended partnership with Longines, which is another landmark for our series and I want to thank Longines for their vision, passion and incredible commitment to show jumping and equestrian sport.

“Since we launched GCT in 2006 we have strived to raise standards in all aspects of show jumping to benefit all stakeholders and we are committed to driving this further in future years with this tremendous support from our long-term partner Longines.”

Since the launch of the partnership with the Swiss watchmaker in 2013, Longines Global Champions Tour has expanded to spectacular and unique new venues in some of the world’s most dynamic cities. Building together the partnership has seen expanded TV exposure, including CNN as well as Eurosport, and growth across digital and social media platforms with innovative new features for viewers.

Longines also signed a deal as the new title sponsor of the FEI Nations Cup series back in August.