I attended the Longines Global Champions Tour in London on Saturday, August 17th, and Sunday, August 18th, 2024. The showjumping event which travels around the world, made a stop in London for three days.
Although I wasn’t initially familiar with all the showjumping terminology, I quickly picked up the lingo by listening to discussions about the classes and jump heights, such as 1.3m and 1.8m. It was fascinating to watch the riders in the warm-up ring, observing their techniques and the strong bond they shared with their horses.
While browsing the stalls, I was pleasantly surprised when a lady from the Newmarket 875 booth recognized me and asked, “Are you Esther the Equestrian?” Blushing, I admitted that I was. She mentioned that she had seen my videos online and loved that I had started riding, which led to a delightful conversation about horses, racing, and more.
Later in the day, I came across the Longines mascots! Though they couldn’t speak, they were incredibly entertaining, dancing and interacting with the crowd. I couldn’t resist joining in, and their playful antics left me laughing—it was definitely a memorable moment!
DAY 3 – 18/08/2024
I arrived at the grounds around 3 PM and headed straight to the hospitality lounge area for lunch. I enjoyed a protein-packed meal featuring salmon, followed by a scrumptious dessert of waffle ice cream and fresh fruits.
After lunch, I returned to the warm-up ring to see my friend’s horse, Envoy, who was ridden by a British eventer. It was heartwarming to witness the strong connection between Envoy and his owners.
The jump-off was particularly exciting, with riders being judged by their time to complete the course. It was great to watch Harry Charles win his division, especially with a British rider taking the victory on home soil.
Though I’m still learning about the intricacies of equestrian events, the Longines Global Champions Tour was a fantastic experience!
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