After a thrilling round 1 of the Global Champions League, the top individual riders in the 1.50/1.55m CSI5* class went through to a fast-paced jump off where riders took to the track to fight for the €62,000 prize purse. Last to go, and flawless from the off, Jane Richard Philips (SUI) put in a stunning display to win the class overall and delightedly said; “it’s really special. All my family are here to watch, so it’s really special to win here in Miami Beach.” The jump off saw seven riders return to the stage, all raring to go for the first jump off of the event weekend. Top Italian rider Alberto Zorzi (ITA) was the first to go clear, setting the time to beat at 42.26s with Cornetto K as the pair cruised their way through the tight and fast paced course. Simon Delestre (FRA) and Chesall put in a speedy round, flying the course in 35.34s - a full seven seconds faster than Alberto’s time, however one pole down dropped them down the order despite the Frenchman’s typically fiery performance and breath-taking turns. Columbia’s Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo looked set to to take over the lead, until the rider cut back a little too sharp to the vertical, rolling the pole to the groan of the crowd and putting him down in fourth place. The crowd hushed with expectation as Bertram Allen (IRL) and Hector van d’Abdijhoeve leapt into the lead, after a steady round saw them buck their way over the finish line in 42.13s. The expressive pair took over the lead, much to the delight of the crowd, for whom Hector has become a firm favourite across the world. But it was a case of saving the best for last as Jane Richard Philips (SUI) and Dieudonne de Guldenboom flew around the arena, with her large striding horse eating up the strides and agile on the turns. The Longines Ambassador of Elegance rode a precision perfect round to stop the clock in 40.86s, pipping Ireland’s top rider to the top spot and taking her first CSI5* win of the year.
After a thrilling round 1 of the Global Champions League, the top individual riders in the 1.50/1.55m CSI5* class went through to a fast-paced jump off where riders took to the track to fight for the €62,000 prize purse. Last to go, and flawless from the off, Jane Richard Philips (SUI) put in a stunning display to win the class overall and delightedly said; “it’s really special. All my family are here to watch, so it’s really special to win here in Miami Beach.” The jump off saw seven riders return to the stage, all raring to go for the first jump off of the event weekend. Top Italian rider Alberto Zorzi (ITA) was the first to go clear, setting the time to beat at 42.26s with Cornetto K as the pair cruised their way through the tight and fast paced course. Simon Delestre (FRA) and Chesall put in a speedy round, flying the course in 35.34s - a full seven seconds faster than Alberto’s time, however one pole down dropped them down the order despite the Frenchman’s typically fiery performance and breath-taking turns. Columbia’s Carlos Enrique Lopez Lizarazo looked set to to take over the lead, until the rider cut back a little too sharp to the vertical, rolling the pole to the groan of the crowd and putting him down in fourth place. The crowd hushed with expectation as Bertram Allen (IRL) and Hector van d’Abdijhoeve leapt into the lead, after a steady round saw them buck their way over the finish line in 42.13s. The expressive pair took over the lead, much to the delight of the crowd, for whom Hector has become a firm favourite across the world. But it was a case of saving the best for last as Jane Richard Philips (SUI) and Dieudonne de Guldenboom flew around the arena, with her large striding horse eating up the strides and agile on the turns. The Longines Ambassador of Elegance rode a precision perfect round to stop the clock in 40.86s, pipping Ireland’s top rider to the top spot and taking her first CSI5* win of the year.