What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
The Global Champions League (GCL) is the team competition associated with the Longines Global Champions Tour. In its published 2026 format, 17 multinational teams compete over 16 stages. Each stage has two same-day rounds: all teams ride Round 1, and the top 10 advance to Round 2. Penalties carry across both rounds, and the teams’ combined penalties and Round 2 time determine the result.
How a GCL team is put together
For the 2026 season, the league describes 17 multinational squads with six athletes apiece; every squad must include at least one under-25 (U25) rider. A team manager chooses three riders to travel to each stage, so the full squad is larger than the event-day group. Global Champions’ 2026 explainer sets out these roster details.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The team format makes selection part of the competition: managers decide which three riders represent their squad at a particular stage. The league’s 2026 team announcement also says managers can change riders or horses between rounds. It does not set out all eligibility restrictions for those changes in the cited description, so the practical scope of substitutions should not be assumed beyond what the event rules allow.
What happens in the two rounds
Round 1: the qualification test
All teams compete in a CSI5* class over 1.60m obstacles. The published format says the round is against the clock and has no jump-off; the starting order is drawn. The top 10 teams qualify for Round 2. The rest are out of contention for that stage’s final team result.
#1 Best Overall
- Every Show jumping competition needs an oxer!
- An oxer is a set of fences placed several feet apart giving width to a jump, and encouraging greater effort from the horse
- Beautifully painted wood fences in red and white, This jump is made for Breyer traditional (1: 9 scale) horses
- Set includes 2 painted fences – put them together to make an oxer, or place them separately for double the jumping fun
- Oxer measures 14.75"L x 5.5"H
Round 2: the final team score
The qualifying teams ride a CSI5* class over 1.55m obstacles. Faults from Round 1 carry forward, and there are no drop scores: every fault counting toward the team result remains part of its total. Managers may make rider or horse changes between rounds under the league’s published 2026 description.
The FEI’s London 2026 schedule lists separate GCL team competitions at 160cm and 155cm, illustrating the two heights used in the league format. The league’s explainer is the source for those heights as the general 2026 format.
Rank #2
- Soaring over fences across the world, Clooney 51 and rider Martin Fuchs took the show jumping circuit by storm.
How teams are scored and ranked
A team’s final classification combines its penalties across both rounds with the combined Round 2 time of its riders. If teams are tied, the faster Round 2 time wins. In practical terms, penalties are not reset after qualification: a team carries its Round 1 faults into the final round, while its Round 2 time can distinguish teams on equal penalties.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- Penalties: Round 1 and Round 2 penalties count together.
- Time: The combined time in Round 2 is used for classification and breaks a tie on penalties.
- No drop score: The team cannot discard a contributing fault under the published format.
Why the format matters to a viewer
Round 1 serves two purposes: it contributes to the team score and determines which 10 teams get another round. A team outside the top 10 does not ride Round 2. For those that advance, the second round is not a clean slate: carried penalties make accuracy important, while Round 2 time matters to the final ranking and to ties.
Rank #3
- Horse and Rider Figurine: Live the equestrian dream with this competition duo. Introduction to show jumping and horse passion
- Suitable for children from 3 years old, this PAPO toy encourages the pleasure of playing while developing imagination and creativity through toys designed for learning while having fun.
- This collectible figurine is equally suitable as a gift or as an everyday decorative element for the home.
- PAPO relies on French talent and craftsmanship and has joined the ACFJF (Association of French Toy Creators and Manufacturers). The creations are imagined, designed and developed in France.
- PAPO FIGURINE: Rich with 30 years of history, PAPO now offers more than 750 realistic and original figurines to fuel imaginative play and the discovery of the natural and imaginary world.
That combination also gives managers a tactical choice between rounds, since the 2026 announcement allows rider or horse changes. The league sources describe that option but do not enumerate every restriction on who or what may be substituted.
How the team event fits into the season
The 2026 GCL explainer describes a 16-stage championship that leads to the GC Playoffs. At the playoffs, the GCL Super Cup is contested through three knockout rounds. These are season-level stages beyond the two-round format at an individual league event.
Rank #4
- This charming wooden jump includes 2 standards, 3 brush boxes and 2 adjustable poles. Add flowers and greenery to make it your own!
- Horse, rider, brush and flowers not included
- HAND CRAFTED DETAIL: The world's 'most asked for' horses since 1950. Each individual Breyer model is prepped and finished by hand and then turned over to the painting department for hand painting and detailing. In all, some 20 artisans work on each individual model horse, creating an exquisite hand-made model horse that is as individual as the horse that inspired it.
- TRUE EQUESTRIAN ART: Breyer models begin as beautiful horse sculptures created by leading equine artists that are then cast into a copper and steel mold. Each model is created one at a time from the original mold, which is injected with a special resin selected by Breyer for its ability to capture the depth of detail, delicate feel and richness of color in our models.
At a glance: the published 2026 format
| Format detail | 2026 description |
|---|---|
| Teams | 17 multinational squads |
| Squad size | Six athletes per team, including at least one U25 rider |
| Stages | 16 |
| Event-day selection | Three riders selected by each team manager for a stage |
| Round 1 | CSI5*, 1.60m; all teams compete |
| Round 2 | CSI5*, 1.55m; top 10 teams advance |
| Scoring | Penalties carry over; no drop scores; Round 2 time ranks teams and breaks ties |
| Season finale | GC Playoffs and a GCL Super Cup contested in three knockout rounds |
These figures and rules are the league’s published 2026 format, not independent performance statistics. Team numbers, rosters, calendar details and playoff rules can vary by season.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Various beautiful horses, such as Hannoverians, English Thoroughbreds, Arabians, Palominos and Andalusians, are just waiting for you to care for them!
- A magical world is waiting to be discovered by you: experience magical moments with the unicorn on Fantasy Island.
- Design and build your very own jumping courses!
- Demonstrate your skills in the world’s biggest tournaments
- Customize your horses’ equipment and manes!
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
