Oct 25, 2021
The Swedish rider has made his dream come true in equestrian sporting and proclaimed himself as champion in both the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League this weekend in Samorin.
The pair of world number one Peder Fredricson on H&M All In and Edwina Tops-Alexander with Fellow Castlefield secured Valkenswaard United victory. They ended in a podium place at the last competition of the season, finishing ahead of Shanghai Swans.
The team has become the most successful GCL team over the competition’s 5-year span. They dominated, finishing 13 points ahead of Shanghai Swans with a total of 309 points this year. Paris Panthers were third in the Championship with 276 points.
After winning with his team in the Global Champions League, Peder Fredricson went on to repeat his success in the LGCT. The rider led the overall ranking going into the Final Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of the season. Ben Maher would have to win with Fredricson in 11th place or lower for the British rider to claim his 3rd consecutive win.
“I am very very happy, I will remember 2021. It has been a fantastic year. It is one thing to win a competition but to win this proves you have to be good over the whole season.” -Peder Fredricson, Swedish equestrian
Henrik von Eckermann won the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Slovakia, catapulting him to the silver position of the 2021 season championship. The well deserved Bronze medal went to Olivier Robert who ended in 232 points, 2 points behind Von Eckermann.
The battle for the Championship between Ben Maher and Peder Fredricson was over before the jump-off. Fans filled the arena to see riders taking Uliano Vezzani’s technical course. Ben had to go clear to be in the jump-off.
Despite being confident with Explosion W. and completing the first part of the course with ease, he knocked down a pole before two more poles fell. This left him on 12 faults and the falling fence crowned Fredricson the 2021 Title winner before even jumping.
Peder Fredricson wanted to finish the season on a high, and wearing the LGCT championship leader and world number one armbands, he flew into the double a little forward, meaning he did not make it to the jump-off either. He stopped the clock with 8 faults.
Henrik von Eckermann claimed the final ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs that will take place from the 18th to the 21st of November 2021. If you want to relive the magic of this incredible show jumping season, then stay tuned to HorseTV! We broadcast highlights of all the legs of the GCL and LGCT championship.