Reigning Champions Valkenswaard United -this week led by Alberto Zorzi and Bertram Allen – powered to victory in the first leg of the Global Champions League after an electrifying second round which went down to the wire in Mexico City.
While fans enthusiastically packed the grandstands, dancing to the team theme music and cheering on their favourite combinations, many of the world’s best joined forces and once more took centre stage to decide the highly anticipated first round of the 15-leg Championship.
Top riders hailed the new format, and with the likes of Christian Ahlmann (GER), Daniel Deusser (GER), Simon Delestre (FRA), Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Jérôme Guery (BEL) all joining the GCL for the new season, the anticipation and excitement around the Global Champions League continues to grow.
Eric Lamaze on Fine Lady 5. PC: Stefano Grasso/GCL
Speaking during an interview with CNN World Sport, World Number 3 Daniel Deusser (GER) said: “For me it’s the first time that I’m in a [GCL] team, in the team of the Shanghai Swans with Alexandra Thornton, Jessica Springsteen, Roger-Yves Bost and Janne-Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann. To be honest I’m really excited. In my opinion we have a very good team.”
Talking about the innovative competition, Daniel said: “It’s a new format, and not easy to bring it into the world of show jumping – a new format to make it straight away very famous. But I think for the second year it’s already very famous, a lot of riders are really, really excited to do that this year. The format changed a little bit compared to last year, which in my opinion is much better like that.”
Daniel Deusser and Equita van. PC: Stefano Grasso/GCL
Top British rider Scott Brash (GBR) of team Miami Glory agreed: “It’s great to have a difference in the sport. I think that when you do something for the first time you’re going to need some tweaks and I’m happy to see how the format has changed this year. It’s going in the right direction and the whole sport is moving in the right direction which is really exciting for all the riders, the fans and viewers.”
Christian Ahlmann (GER) spoke of his excitement of joining the GCL and new team Mexico Amigos, “I’m really looking forward to the whole season – I’m really proud to be in the team. I think we have a strong team and we are really, really motivated.”
Top French rider Simon Delestre spoke during the press conference of the opportunity to ride alongside fellow top riders from different countries. Speaking about St Tropez Pirates teammate Jerome Guery, he said: “I know Jerome since we were juniors together and it’s really fun to jump with him.” Jerome agreed: “Simon is my best friend, to make a team with him it’s really nice for me. I’m also really lucky to be in the team with him because he’s one of best riders in the world.”
Leading going into today’s second leg of the competition by just one penalty ahead of the St Tropez Pirates, the Valkenswaard United team of Alberto Zorzi (ITA) and Bertram Allen (IRL) soon found themselves down in second place after four faults from Alberto and Cornetto K handed the lead to their closest rivals, whose first rider Simon Delestre (FRA) and Hermes Ryan produced a copy book clear.
Alberto Zorzi on Cornetto K. PC: Stefano Grasso/GCL
Bertram Allen and Hector. PC: Stefano Grasso/GCL
Pressure was then heaped onto the shoulders of the penultimate combination, Jerome Guery (BEL) and Grand Cru van de Rozenberg, who had the chance to secure the win for the Pirates. Agonisingly, an exuberant performance from the 11-year-old chestnut gelding saw them collect eight faults, including knocking down the final fence, to put Valkenswaard United back in front.
Final competitors Bertram and Hector van d’Abdijhoeve showed nerves of steel during their round, which included a hairy moment when the grey gelding bucked going into the final line which caused them to have the penultimate fence down, but the unflappable Irish rider managed to successfully negotiate the one remaining fence and claim victory for Valkenswaard United.
Chantilly Pegasus and Miami Glory both completed on 12 faults but it was the Chantilly Pegasus team – which boast the youngest rider combination of all the 18 teams – with Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and Martin Fuchs (SUI), who claimed third spot due to their quicker time.
Paris Sellon and Cassandra. PC: Stefano Grasso/GCL
Miami Glory couldn’t have done any more after both their riders, Paris Sellon (USA) and Scott Brash (GBR), produced clear rounds to help them climb the order from sixth to fourth. It was an impressive turn around in fortunes for the American rider and her stunning grey Cassandra as they improved on their 12 faults in Thursday’s opening round to leave the arena fault free today. Scott Brash and the flamboyant Hello M’Lady then produced a masterful display in the quickest time of the day to win the individual competition.
Harrie Smolders (NED) and Emerald NOP didn’t look quite at their brilliant best around the vast grass arena at Campo Marte, eight faults from them plus a gut wrenching four from Eric Lamaze (CAN) and Fine Lady 5 at the final fence, put pay to Hamburg Diamonds chances in this opening leg.
London Knights shot up the leader board after Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and Quintol and Enrique Gonzalez (MEX) and Chacna both produced fault free performances to add nothing to their first round score of 16 to move from ninth to fifth.
But it was reigning Champions Valkenswaard United who stole the show, throwing down the gaunlet to the rest of the field ahead of the 14 remaining legs. All eyes are now on Miami Beach, where home team Miami Glory will hope to enthrall their home crowd.
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Mexico City Results, Top Five Scores:
Team Rankings After Round 1:
