Star-studded riders head to GCT Estoril - 12 to 14th July

For the seventh year running Global Champions Tour returns to the exquisite Cascais showground on Portugal’s Estoril coast. The eyes of the equestrian world will be focused on the Manuel Possolo Hippodrome where a star-studded line-up will compete in the GCT Grand Prix.

Home rider Luciana Diniz will head a fantastic field of show jumping talent including Christian Ahlmann, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, Penelope Leprevost, Denis Lynch, Sergio Alvarez Moya, Pius Schwizer, Ludger Beerbaum, Steve Guerdat, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Billy Twomey, Marco Kutscher, Michael Whitaker, Lauren Hough, Gregory Wathelet, Philippe Rozier and Ben Maher.

GCT is the world’s premier show jumping circuit and travels throughout the year to special destinations which also host other elite international sports including Formula One, ATP Tennis and America’s Cup Sailing. Estoril has been the stage for all these events and from July 12 - 14 it will be the setting for the seventh leg of the Global Champions Tour series of 2012.

Duarte Nobre Guedes, President of the competition in Portugal, said: “This year, Cascais will once again receive those recognised as the world’s elite of equestrian sport – European and World Olympic champions. I am pleased to confirm that five Portuguese riders will join this notable array, amongst them, Luciana Diniz.”