St. Tropez, France – September 14, 2019 – In a storyline fit for a Hollywood blockbuster, Madrid in Motion’s Eric and Maikel van der Vleuten stole the show in Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez to take a sensational second win on the French Riviera.

In a dramatic shake up of the rankings,  the St Tropez Pirates have now taken the overall lead with the Finals in New York next on the agenda – the team now lead on a tally of 304 points so far. With their strong second place today the Shanghai Swans have now moved up to 2nd overall, just 2 points behind the leaders on 302 points so far. After a weekend to forget for the London Knights, they slip down to third with 296 points, and Madrid in Motion creep up to the top four with their win today, now on a score of 290 points overall.

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) & Beauville Z

With tension to the very last moment, Madrid in Motion powered to victory with their horses Wunschkind 19 and Beauville Z, after the final rider to go – Valkenswaard United’s Alberto Zorzi (ITA) had two poles (8 penalty-points) to drop the team to third today. Second went to the Shanghai Swans, after Peder Fredricson (SWE) and Daniel Deusser (GER) put in a formidable performance to secure the only other double clear of the day.

Eric van der Vleuten (NED) spoke after the team’s win: “We’re very happy about this as it’s the second time we win here in the south of france. It’s the second time our owner Marta Ortega is with us so it’s a nice performance.”

His son Maikel emphasised the importance of this strong result as the teams head to the final furlong in just two week’s time; “New York is the last leg of the season and with this victory we’ll move up the ranking, so it’s important we do well in New York to finish the season very well. All the riders are really looking forward to the [GC Prague] Playoffs as it was a wonderful event – but our goal is to go for it!”

As glamorous guests and VIPs walked the picturesque white decking  the arena, the world’s top teams gave a class display of top sport and entertainment just moments from the sparkling waters of Pampelonne Beach.

After a tough first round on Thursday, which saw many teams on high faults, Uliano Vezzani put together another technical track, testing the best in the world. His course showcased a delicate Dolce & Gabbana vertical, a formidable Longines double with an oxer coming out, a light to touch Athina Onassis Horse Show vertical, and a challenging GCL triple set down the long-side of the bustling grandstand which featured an oxer in before two light verticals. The final line required power at a wide Cavalleria Toscana oxer before total control as it was quickly followed by a delicate white wavy plank – the final fence which again claimed plenty of victims.

Here’s how the action unfolded…

Hamburg Giants

Following their 22 penalty-points on Thursday, the Giants mixed up their complete horse and rider line up. First to go Simon Delestre (FRA) brought out his top horse Hermes Ryan, the experienced 14-year-old gelding rocketing around the arena. But another fence dropped the Giants to 26 faults, with Mathilda Karlsson (SRI) swapping in on Chopin VA. Another early pole would put the team on the back foot, before it started to unravel – Mathilda retiring and the team eliminated in consequence.

Monaco Aces 

Another team to change up their players were the Monaco Aces, U25 rider Jos Verlooy (BEL) opting to ride Igor for the second round of action in Saint Tropez. They put in a strong performance but agonisingly had the final wavy plank down – the team dropping to a total of 21. Julien Epaillard (FRA) came off the bench in place of Laura Kraut today, and brought out his 11 year old mare Queeletta. But the GC oxer fell, as did the Cavalleria Toscana fence – the team would finish on a score of 29 overall.

London Knights

Overall ranking leaders London Knights had everything to do today to keep a chance of maintaining their overall lead. With no changes to their line up, Ben Maher (GBR) was first to go with his 9-year-old mare Concona. Ben kept a flowing rhythm throughout the course, giving the horse as much time as possible to the fences, but the second part of the Longines double fell, as did two parts of the GCL triple. But it went from bad to worse, every fence thereafter falling and the team plummeting to a score of 40. Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) brought back H&M Legend of Love but there was drama after the Cavalleria Toscana pole fell before Olivier could approach it. The judges rang the bell to stop Olivier, who had to pull up wit his grey mare. They restarted, but both the final fences fell, the team finishing on a score to forget of 48 overall.

Chantilly Pegasus 
Rene Lopez (COL) made a horse change to Twig du Veillon, but they were another victim of the GCL triple, and the troublesome wavy plank to add another 8 faults to their score of 16. Brother Carlos Lopez (COL) kept his ride of G&C Arrayan and they flew around the arena – leaving all the fences up to keep their total of 28 faults.

Miami Celtics 

Another team to make no horse or rider changes were the Miami Celtics, the team fielding Jessica Springsteen (USA) first with RMF Zecilie. The 12 year old mare jumped her heart out for the American rider and they finished clear, keeping the team on their score of 13 faults. U25 rider Harry Charles (GBR) brought back ABC Quantum Cruise, but the first part of the GCL triple came down to put the team on a total of 17 overall.

Berlin Eagles 

First to go for the Eagles, Christian Kukuk (GER) piloted his formidable stallion Limonchello NT – the pair just collecting 1 time fault after their round on Thursday. They looked to be on song again, until they took the turn to the Longines Athina Onassis Horse Show vertical a touch too tight, the pair finishing on 4 faults. Ludger Beerbaum (GER) made a strategic horse change to ride Casello, his experienced 16-year-old chestnut gelding. But the GC Prague Playoffs fence fell, the team would finish on 21 penalty-points this weekend.

Scandinavian Vikings 

Following their foot-perfect clear on Thursday, Evelina Tovek (SWE) and Winnetou de la Hamente Z looked determined to repeat their performance today as they set off. But the Longines Athina Onassis Horse Show vertical fell again, putting the team onto a score of 16 faults. Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) came off the bench for the team today, replacing Christian Ahlmann. He rode Best Boy 2, the 11-year-old chestnut gelding – the pair attacking the course with clear focus. But a late leg coming out of the triple combination cost them, the team finishing on 20 faults.

Paris Panthers

Darragh Kenny (IRL) made a tactical horse change, opting to ride his 9-year-old gelding Classic Dream for the second round of action. They put in a flawless round to keep the Panthers on their overnight score of 12. There was heartache for Nayel Nassar (EGY) and Lucifer V after the first fence fell – despite this they finished the rest of the challenging course with ease, the team closing Saint Tropez with a score of 16.

Shanghai Swans

The Shanghai Swans fielded star striker Peder Fredricson (SWE) and Zacramento for the crucial second round of action. The 14 year old gelding took the course in his stride, Peder making it look effortless as they delivered the much needed clear for the team. Daniel Deusser (GER) kept his ride of Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z, the small but powerful chestnut stallion enthusiastic to the fences. They cruised around the track, first of the teams to finish double clear today and keeping the Swans on their tally of 9 faults. Only time would tell if it would be enough to see them rise up the results.

Prague Lions

The Lions made no changes to their horse or rider line up this weekend, with Niels Bruynseels (BEL) first in on Gancia de Muze. With team manager Jessica Kurten watching on, they took an extra stride to the triple combination to try keep all the fences up. Their plan worked, and they kept the team on their Thursday score of 9 faults. Marc Houtzager (NED) brought back Sterrehof’s Dante, the 11-year-old mare clearing the fences with a flick of her tail. But the first part of the GCL triple fell, just 4 faults added to their score to put them on 13 overall.

New York Empire

Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) came off the bench for the team, riding the 11-year-old Prinz. But the Dolce & Gabbana fence fell before it all started to unravel for the pair, the duo collecting a total of penalty-points to put the team on total 20 overall. Scott Brash (GBR) kept his ride of Hello Mr President, the feisty 10 year old bay gelding keen to take on the track. They delivered the clear, keeping the team on their tally of 20.

Cannes Stars 

U25 rider Maurice Tebbel (GER) was first to go for the Stars, his debut appearance for the team this weekend. He piloted Don Diarado clear on Thursday, and kept the ride for today – the day horse leaping effortlessly over the fences. They delivered once again, keeping the team on their total of 8 faults. Abdel Saïd (EGY) brought back Jumpy van de Hermitage, but the middle part of the GCL oxer fell, the team finishing this weekend on 12 faults.

Eric van der Vleuten (NED) & Wunschkind 19 

Madrid in Motion

Father and son duo of Eric and Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) returned for the team today, with Eric first go on Wunschkind 19.

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) & Beauville Z

They worked hard, but kept all the fences up, handing the baton to son Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and Beauville Z. They 9 year old horse responded beautifully to Maikel’s requests, Madrid in Motion securing the second double clear of the day and keeping the team on a score of 6 and guaranteed a podium this weekend.

St Tropez Pirates 

On home turf, and with a chance to take over the GCL Rankings, the St Tropez Pirates had all the pressure on their shoulders today. First to go Olivier Robert kept his ride on Tempo de Paban, but they came a little deep to the GCL triple, the first oxer falling and putting the team on a score of 8 so far. Pieter Devos made a tactical horse change, bringing out Claire Z for today’s competition. They flew around the course, but the final element of the GCL triple came down, the team finishing on a total of 12 but crucially ahead of the London Knights.

Valkenswaard United 

With no changes to their horse or rider line up, Valkenswaard United fielded Marcus Ehning (GER) with his experienced chestnut gelding Pret A Tout first. They opted for a careful round, keeping perfect balance around the corners and finding the perfect stride to the fences. They produced a clear, loading the pressure onto the shoulders of teammate Alberto Zorzi (ITA). The Italian rider brought out the dark bay stallion Cinsey, but the GC Prague Playoffs plank fell, as did the water-tray lined vertical set by the in-gate. The team would finish on a score of 12 faults overall, slipping into third position.

For full results, please click here.

Source: Press release from GCL – Global Champions League

Photos: © GCL / Stefano Grasso