The first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of the year didn't result in a "three-for-three" for Abdel Said; instead, victory went to German rider Katrin Eckermann. The German athlete had previously won in Miami in 2022 and 2023... "Welcome to Miami," the rider laughed afterward. "This is truly my favorite show. I am so incredibly grateful to my mare because she jumped just fantastically! I owe everything to her!"
Time played a significant role for many riders in the first round of this 1.60m CSI5 Grand Prix*. Abdel Said, who won the first Grand Prix of the year for the past two consecutive years, qualified for the jump-off once again.
"I am super happy with my mare. After last year's great Grand Prix, she was given plenty of rest, and the Longines Global Champions Tour was our goal. Riding 'Bonnie' is like driving a bus with a Ferrari engine through the streets of Monaco. But she continues to amaze." — Abdel Said
In the end, 13 combinations made it to the jump-off. Katrin Eckermann and Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS (Diarado's Boy) were by far the best in this Grand Prix. Joining them on the podium were Jack Whitaker with his 1.60m debutant, Izara des Dames (Emerald), in second place, and Piergiorgio Bucci with Pallieter vd N.Ranch (Cornet Obolensky) in third.
A Jump-Off Full of Suspense
Danish rider Zascha Nygaard was the first to start with the 13-year-old Com'On Drako de Maugre (Kannan). The pair focused heavily on speed, setting the initial mark at 12 faults in 49.10 seconds.
Maikel van der Vleuten followed with his 16-year-old Zangersheide gelding, Beauville Z N.O.P. (Bustique), finishing clear in 46.85 seconds. That performance was immediately matched by Piergiorgio Bucci and the BWP stallion Pallieter vd N. Ranch (Cornet Obolensky), bred by Dirk Nevejant. However, their lead was short-lived as Katrin Eckermann and the 13-year-old Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS (Diarado's Boy) stopped the clock at a blistering 44.15 seconds.
Abdel Said and the 13-year-old mare Wathnan Bonne Amie (A Big Boy) had a fault at the rollback obstacle. Abdel gave it his all, maintaining high speed through the turn on the approach. Pieter Devos followed with his self-bred BWP gelding, Primo DV (Vigo d'Arsouilles), jumping clear in 46.96 seconds. Devos frequently took the inside lines and successfully executed the round he had envisioned.
Irish rider Cian O'Connor and the 11-year-old KWPN, Kentucky TN (Verdi TN), followed with a clear round in 46.53 seconds. Zoe Conter and her 15-year-old mare, La Una (Chacco-Blue), encountered the same mistake as Abdel Said, followed by another rail later in the course.
The relatively new combination of Jack Whitaker and Izara des Dames (Emerald) made a highly successful 1.60m debut. The Brit and his 13-year-old sBs mare finished in 45.68 seconds, jumping into a provisional second place. This ramped up the pressure on the next rider, Jur Vrieling. The Dutchman had saddled Cornet Blue Ps (Chacco-Blue) for this Grand Prix; with a jump fault on the rollback, Vrieling landed in a provisional eighth place.
Ciaran Nallon also chose this Grand Prix for his mare’s 1.60m debut. Together with Casalla Blue PS (Casallco), he proved the mare's potential. The wall, with its short approach, proved to be the ultimate challenge, resulting in a total of 5 faults. "He took the risk, and it looked like they were going to be the heroes of the show!" — Carlos Hank reflecting on the Irishman's round.
