Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and her feisty 13 year old bay mare Lintea Tequila rode a stunning class to claim the top spot in the 2016 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Miami Beach. Set against the backdrop of the iconic Miami Beach, equestrian enthusiasts and beach-goers packed the grandstand and lined the arena to watch the stars of show jumping battle it out as the 2016 season got underway. International guests included Elle Macpherson, Sir Michael Caine, business tycoon and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Senator Marco Rubio, and singer Iggy Azalea. The event is fast becoming a prestigious fixture on the local calendar with hundreds of guests, business leaders, and high class personalities enjoying chic hospitality and spectacular ocean views. The 50 strong class fielded eight of the world’s top ten riders, promising a spectacular start to the Tour circuit. Italy’s Uliano Vezzani created a challenging first round course, set to test the very best in the sport. Questions were asked throughout, with riders caught out across the course. Despite the challenges, a total of 17 clears went through to the second round, with Kevin Staut (FRA) the fastest of those with four penalties rounding out the top 18. Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT), Jerome Guery (BEL), Doda de Miranda (BRA), Jane Richard Philips (SUI), Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), John Whitaker (GBR) and Jos Verlooy (BEL) were just some of the riders through, with David Will (GER) continuing his fine form with his CSI5* class winning horse Mic Mac du Tillard. First to go Kevin Staut and Elky van het Indihof HDC jumped clear and in an impressive time of 59.69s. Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Epleaser van’t Heike were the first to jump double clear in the intense second round, wriggling out of trouble to the last fence to clear the full 1.60m height fence. Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) and First Devision were soon to join Christian after a brilliant round, ensuring an exciting jump-off would ensue. Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Arera C showcased a classy round to earn their place in the final, bringing the tally to three. The rest of the field took their chances, with the square oxers and final fence causing a few problems for the world’s top combinations. Home favourite Kent Farrington (USA) and Voyeur were caught out by the triple combination, while experienced duo John Whitaker (GBR) and Argento, and young star Jos Verlooy (BEL) were also unable to make it into the jump-off. If there had been a roof it would have been sent sky-high as the crowd went wild watching home rider McLain Ward (USA) and his beautiful bay 10 year old mare HH Azur jump a cool and impressive clear. He was joined by compatriot Georgina Bloomberg (USA) with her bay mare Lilli after a beautifully ridden round much to the delight of the watching spectators. Finally Edwina Tops-Alexander and Lintea Tequila who had looked on consistently good form throughout made it six for the nail-biting final round. The jump-off was a fast paced course, with plenty of gallops, including a flat out race to the last which consisted of imposing planks. First to go Christian Ahlmann (GER) went a steady clear in 37.38s - a shake of his head as he exited the ring confirmed the potential for more speed, and the next competitors readied themselves to do battle for the final top positions. Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) put in another excellent round with First Devision, however had one down, crossing the line in 37.10s which would have put him straight into the lead. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) was also caught out by a rail midway through the course, as was local rider Georgina Bloomberg who despite the four faults rode a stunning round with her horse Lilli. McLain Ward’s mare HH Azur had a ground covering stride, eating up the distances between fences, and McLain rode a clever round to cross the line clear in 35.78s - a full two seconds faster than former leader Christian. But it was last to go Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and her brilliant plucky mare Lintea Tequila who jumped their hearts out against the backdrop of the stunning Miami Beach. Light on her feet and quick around the corners Lintea Tequila showed exactly what she was capable of with Edwina riding her perfectly around the challenging course to maximise the little horse’s agility and speed. They crossed the line a full second ahead of McLain in 34.59s, as the crowd erupted from the grandstands and along the packed edge of the arena. Edwina now leads the 2016 LGCT rankings, as the Tour looks ahead to event two, the debut for Mexico City.
