The first CSI5* class of the Longines Global Champions Tour at Miami Beach was claimed by Great-Britain's Ben Maher. Last weekend Maher already won the WEF $500,000 GP, this time he returned home with the victory of the 1.45m CSI5* opening class. A total of 25 horse-rider combinations produced a double clear. Aboard the 12-year-old Aristo Z (by Andiamo) Maher stopped the clock in 25.39 seconds. Belgium's talented young rider, Jos Verlooy followed in a second place. Aboard Farfelu de la Pomme (by Vigo d'Arsouilles) Verlooy took some short turns and forward pas, even in the first round, riding towards fence number two and three. Nevertheless the pair couldn't beat Maher's time, finishing in 26.93 seconds. Bassam Hassen Mohammed and the 10-years-old Argelith Squid (by Salito) followed in a third place. The top five was completed by USA's Ali Wold (Artemis) and Great-Britain's Laura Renwick (by MHS Washington) in a fourth and fifth place. Quentin Judge and HH Whisky Royale made the crowd cheering up, finishing faultless in 28.22 seconds, he finished sixth. With his victory Maher takes home the first 11,550 euro-win of the season.
