Golden ticket for Beerbaum in first leg of LGCT

Ludger Beerbaum earned victory in the first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Doha and has earned a golden ticket for the LGCT Super Grand Prix. 

Related article: Peder Fredricson takes on LGCT and GCL titles 

Beerbaum and Mila finished over half a second ahead of the horse and rider combination of Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward while Jur Vrieling ended third with Long John Silver. They received a standing ovation under the Longines Arena at Al Shaqab.

“I have had a few wins in my career but this one is probably one of the most emotional ones and also not really expected one. I cannot tell you how much I enjoy this moment.” -Ludger Beerbaum

Only 8 combinations managed to keep all the fences up in the first round of Uliano Vezzani’s 1.60m course. First to go in the jump-off was Irishman Michael Pender with HHS Calais, however he collected 4 faults although posting a fast time of 37.01. 

Pieter Devos and Mom’s Toupie de la Roque came 3 seconds slower than Pender but on a clear. This paid off as he earned a 4th place overall. Christian Ahlmann would have won the fastest time with 35.18 seconds with Dominator 2000 Z but tumbled down 4 faults. 

Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward, winners of last LGCT Super Grand Prix wanted to secure the golden ticket, but although producing a flawless double clear, they were not fast enough for Ludger Beerbaum and Mila. 

Favourites win GCL in Doha

Stockholm Hearts, composed by Peder Fredricson and Malin Baryard-Johnsson, nailed their debut in Doha in GCL. The Swedish duo rode Hansson Wl and H&M Indiana and won on 0 faults. 

Hamburg Giants secured the second place on the podium while bronze went to Madrid in Motion’s combination. 

“There was a lot of pressure today but having the world number one coming behind me feels good. It is a long season ahead of us but it is a very good start and we are super happy.” -Malin Baryard-Johnsson.

The course proved to be hard as last year’s season champion Valkenswaard United pushed themselves further away from the podium as John Whitaker and Marcus Ehning added 12 faults, totalling at 20 faults. 

2021 GCL Super Cup Winners, London Knights, scored 4 faults. Berlin Eagles ended in fourth place after Ludger Beerbaum with Mila and Christian Kukuk with Mumbai finished clear but not fast enough to catch the podium. 

The Championship race heads to the famous LGCT and GCL Miami Beach from the 12th-14th April to see who will rise to the top of the show jumping competition.