After the second individual competition of the Global Champions Tour, the riders put on their team jackets to fight for the first GCL victory of the season. Stockholm Hearts consisting of Peder Fredricson, Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Olivier Philippaerts proved why they are the crowd favourites and took the first GCL win of the season.
As the last riders in the ring, the Stockholm Hearts delivered strong clear rounds. The two riders on duty for the team were Peder Fredricson and Malin Baryard-Johnsson. Malin was able to count on fourteen-year-old H&M Indiana (by Kashmir van het Schuttershof) to get her over the finish line clear and within the time limit. Peder sent Hansson Wl (by Hip Hop) also in a fast and clear round over the finish line. With zero penalty points they received the gold to kick off this GCL season.
Hamburg Giants surprised at the start of this season by putting in a strong performance. The two Dutch riders Jur Vrieling and Bart Bles showed strong talent and settled for silver. In the saddle of Long John Silver (by Lasino) Jur Vrieling rushed clear over the finish line, followed by Bart Bles and Comme-Laude W (by Comme Il Faut 5) who also left the wood in the spoons. The team finished with a total time of 146.96 seconds.
On third place is Madrid In Motion. The team put in Jack Whitaker and Maikel van der Vleuten today. Whitaker could count on the thirteen year old grey Equine America Valmy De la Lande (by Mylord Carthago) to finish within the time limit with only one jumping fault. So the pressure was on Maikel van der Vleuten and his top horse Beauville Z (by Bustique). The task was clear: stay clear and within the time limit to secure the last place on the podium. Van der Vleuten understood that task well and delivered a clear round with a sharp time. With a total time of 141.32 seconds, Madrid In Motion finished third.
Photo: © GCT
