Crowd cheers Peder Fredricson and Shanghai Swans in London

The Swedish rider has beaten the British sensation John Whitaker by just 0.14s at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

“London is fantastic, the course designer was great, the footing was perfect, the backdrop is amazing and finally we had a lot of people watching and the atmosphere couldn’t be better. [...] Having already qualified for the LGCT Super Grand Prix it didn’t really lessen the pressure because I want to win anyway.” - Peder Fredricson

Riding Catch Me Not S, Peder Fredricson has delivered a breathtaking performance ahead of John Whitaker and Niels Bruynseels. As Fredricson has already won a Grand Prix, Whitaker now joins the lineup of show jumping riders who will compete at the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs. 

Thanks to this performance, Fredricson is again back in the lead of the season championship on 189 points. Edwina Tops-Alexander sits in second place with 179 while Sergio Alvarez Moya drops to the third spot on 175. 

The course was designed by Uliano Vezzani - with a full height at the maximum 1.60m six riders made it to the jump-off: Gregory Wathelet, Nicola Philippaerts, Christian Ahlmann, Niels Bruynseels, Peder Fredricson and John Whitaker. 

“I could have beaten him, my horse jumped perfect. To come to a show like this with the best  riders in the world and be holding my own with them is great for everything.” -John Whitaker

You might like: Ben Maher’s performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics 

Shanghai Swans at the top of the GCL London show

In the Global Champions League, the Shanghai Swans delivered an incredible performance with Christian Ahlmann and Max Kühner reigning at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

“It’s a special location, it’s a lot of fun to ride here. So many people, we are not so used to it anymore. To ride in front of so many people feels very good.” -Max Kühner

This is the third time this season the team steps up to the top of the podium. This means the Shanghai Swans have finally closed the gap, but Valkenswaard United still lead the overall ranking with 195 points, followed by Shanghai Swans on 180 points and Paris Panthers who moved to third with 164. 

The 9th leg of the Global Champions League saw top sport arrive in London in a course designed by Uliano Vezzani. Shanghai Swans was the last team to go and they were the favourites of the crowd. Christian Ahlmann and Solid Gold Z had an early fault, meaning Max Kühner had to go clear. 

However, Kühner and Up Too Jacco Blue delivered and crossed the finish line clear. They were followed by Paris Panthers and in third place London Knights. 

You might like: Sweden’s performance at the Olympic Games

Now, the Longines Global Champions Tour and the Global Champions League return to Valkenswaard, in The Netherlands, for the 10th leg of the competition. 

Images from GC Global Champions