Spencer Smith soars to the top of LGCT in Samorin

Smith denied Christian Ahlmann the win by 0.02s and won the penultimate golden ticket for the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs in November. 

In one of the most competitive show jumping events of the 2021 Longines Global Champions Tour, Spencer Smith and Theodore Manciais soared into the first place of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in the arena of Samorin. Second place went to Christian Alhmann and Dominator 2000 Z while bronze was for Jur Vrieling and Fiumicino van de Kalevallei. 

With less than 1 second between the top five placed riders in the jump-off, the world’s best rider and horse combinations tackled Uliano Vezzani’s track. The competition kicked off with British Scott Brash securing a clear blistering time of 40.56s. 

Despite trying their best, both Henrik von Eckermann on King Edward and Daniel Deusser on Bingo Ste Hermelle had a fence down. It was Spencer Smith’s time to shine and the pair gave it their all, soaring to the top of the leaderboard with a time of 39.57s. 

Peder Fredricson stays at the gates of the Championship

Peder Fredricson only had to finish 6th or better to win the Longines Champions Tour 2021 Season Championship, however, a fence fell midway and he was not fast enough, settling for an 8th place. 

This means the Championship has never been this close before as there is no defined winner. Peder Fredricson leads the Championship again heading into the Final round on 249 points, followed by Olivier Robert on 232. Ben Maher sits third on 228 while Edwina Tops-Alexander is on 223 points. 

Doha Falcons win for their first time in GCL

In the Global Champions League Doha Falcons won at the beautiful setting of X-Bionic Sphere in Samorin during the penultimate leg of the season. Bassem Mohammed and Caletto Cabana teamed up with Yuri Mansur and Vitiki for the only double clear of the weekend. 

This helps Valkenswaard United stay strong on the top of the overall ranking. Berlin Eagles claimed the second spot while Shanghai Swans clinched the third spot. However, Shanghai Swans have it very hard to beat Valkenswaard United as they are 11 points away. 

“My horse really jumped well again, everyone has the chance to win, we were just the best this weekend. This weekend we were just the best.” -Bassem Mohammed, Doha Falcons equestrian rider. 

Current world number one Peder Fredricson brought his top horse H&M All In to redeem after their shock 14 faults in round 1 and tackle Uliano Vezzani’s 1.55m course. He proved his skills again in a flawless clear round before passing the reins to Gilles Thomas who replaced Tops-Alexander. 

Thomas delivered with his stunning 9-year-old stallion Feromas van Beek Z, keeping Valkenswaard United on 14 faults. 

Competition for the Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL heads to its last week of the 2021 season finals next week from the 21st to the 23rd of October, where the champion will be crowned in Samorin.