Premier Jumping League (PJL) - new multi-million series in show jumping

US billionaire Frank McCourt (not to be confused with the Pulitzer Prize winner) wants to invest 100 million dollars in show jumping in the 2026/2027 season alone. He has pledged a total budget of 300 million. The money is to be distributed as part of a newly founded tournament series, the Premier Jumping League (PJL).

By way of comparison, the Global Tour distributed 22 million euros last year, including the prize money for the Global Champions League. That sounds like competition for the Global Champions Tour, and that’s probably what it means. Until 2022, McCourt was still a shareholder in the Global Champions League and ran his own team, the Miami Celtics.

Format? Unclear

A team competition is also to become a pillar of the PJL, as can be seen from the website. 16 teams, made up of the 250 best riders in the world, are to ride in the league. It remains unclear exactly what the competition format will look like. This also applies to the tournament locations. There is vague talk of “14 legendary international venues spanning Europe, North America and the Middle East”.

Who is there?

Even though it is not yet public who is taking part in the series, social media is providing clues. Sophie Hinners, for example, posted today that she is on her way to Miami, where the project was launched.

Laura Kraut (USA) is quoted on Instagram as saying: “An Olympic gold medal is priceless. But it doesn’t pay the bills.”

Nina Mallevaey (FRA) says: “The course is not about who you are, but how you ride.”

Ben Maher (GBR) says: “It has taken years of absolute dedication to be here today.”

And Scott Brash explains in the press release on the founding of the PJL:

“With horses – and especially in our sport – the learning never stops. One of my biggest goals is to move the sport forward and create a better environment for athletes, horses, everyone involved and those who follow. I believe the PJL gives us a meaningful platform to have these important conversations. Competing at the highest level comes with huge costs, and for most riders, securing financial support while giving up the necessary time for the sport is a constant balancing act.

What makes the PJL so effective is that it rewards riders in a way that allows us to really prioritize both our own wellbeing and that of our horses – allowing for full-time training and proper rest.”