Tops International Arena Opens
By Paula Parisi August 15, 2015
Looking out over the reception entrance and across to the 512 stables at the Tops International Arena, which includes grass and footed competition areas, and includes space for shopping, dining and cultural activities.
The spectacular new Tops International Arena sport horse venue in Holland opened its doors to the public this month, hosting the Longines Global Champions Tour from 13th – 16th August.
Jan Tops, the Olympic gold medalist and businessman who founded the Global Champions Tour in 2006, is married to show jumping champion Edwina Tops-Alexander. The Tops’ have positioned their new venue as a European destination for sport, entertainment and cultural activities.
The state-of-the-art facility welcomed international high profile guests, including members of Royal Families and global business leaders, for the official opening ceremony. The official opening ceremony was Friday, August 14 and featured 11-year-old opera singer Amira Willighagen, who stunned judges in April on “Holland’s Got Talent,” as well a full orchestra and choir. Equestrian team competition followed. The event marked the 10th anniversary of the Global Championship series, fittingly, at the founder’s own arena.
Spectators and guests experienced exceptional surroundings ushering in a luxurious new era for the sport in this prime location in Europe. A beautiful and dramatic raised wooden walkway leads VIP guests to a range of stunning hospitality boxes and lounges with exclusive interior design featuring high quality luxury materials. Bespoke wood and stone structures will include the breathtaking “Spider” reception area where guests can admire art and sculptures. There are panoramic views of the immaculate competition arena from the elevated Sky Box hospitality suite where guests can reserve seats to enjoy Michelin-standard catering.
Fans of show jumping will be able to enjoy the spectacle from two grandstands overlooking the main competition arena, which feature gravity-defying free-standing wooden roofs and will seat around 3,000 people. In the elegant Place de Concours visitors can experience fashionable shopping, a champagne bar and a wide variety of food and beverages.
Tops’ vision was to create a beautiful and ground-breaking destination for sport, lifestyle and entertainment attracting people from all over the world. “Sport, entertainment and lifestyle are the core elements of Tops International Arena and I am proud that a lifelong vision and aspiration has become reality,” Tops said.
“I’ve ridden for maybe 15 years at Jan’s arena [Stal Tops] and it was already beautiful, even before this new development. But if you can see what he built. Wow! We have to be very proud to have such a great arena in Holland. It will for sure be one of the nicest places in Europe,” show jumper and GCT competitor Maikel Van Der Vleuten said.
“This new facility is about sport, whether it is world class sport at the highest level or about training the talented stars of the future,” Tops added, concluding, “But it is also about entertainment and fun, culture and art, haute cuisine and style and a great day out for families and friends. I hope everyone will come and enjoy this special place in Europe.”
Edwina Tops-Alexander and Lintea Tequila do their victory lap after winning the Valkenswaard 2015 CSI5* 1.55m, August 16.
View of the public entrance, reception and main grass ring at the Tops International Arena, which had its grand opening this month.
Bruce Springsteen attended the grand opening of the Tops International Arena Holland, Aug. 15, 2015, and signed an autograph for 11-year-old opera singer Amira Willighagen, who performed at the event.
The shopping mall offers many shopping and dining options.
The Maybach boutique is among the permanent retail installations at the Tops International Arena.
Section of the VIP Lounge at the Tops International Arena.
The upper VIP area offers dine-in seating.
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