Scott & Hello Sanctos win Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Miami
Saturday 04 April 2015
The opening leg of the 2015 Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami couldn’t have been any better this evening with some phenomenal competition taking place in the incredible arena located on Miami beach.
Course designer Uliano Vezzani played it out perfectly with his testing course seeing only twelve of the forty six starters achieving a clear in the first round. Having cut the field down by almost a quarter in terms of those coming forward for the second round carrying zero penalties it was then only a third of those that managed to achieve yet another clear and guarantee a third and final jump off.
The arena looked absolutely stunning with Miami beach as its backdrop and packed on every side with spectators, many of whom were still in their beachwear, enjoying the incredible competition that was being played out before them.
As the first of the four riders came forward for this four-way fight which would finalise how the $600,000 prize fund was going to be awarded the atmosphere was electric. It was first to go Bassen Hassan Mohammed (Qatar) with Palloubet D Halong who set the standard with a clear in the time of 39.74 seconds. Having put the pressure on from the outset the three to follow knew that they not only had to jump clear but also be fast if they were to claim the lead that had been set. Roger Yves Bost and Nippon D’Elle set off through the start making it obvious that they were going to cut as many corners as they could, however a turn back to a vertical was just a stride too tight for Nippon D’Elle who put in a stop resulting in a 4 penalties being accrued plus a time fault when they stopped the clock at 47.33 seconds.
Reigning Global Champions Tour title holder for the second consecutive year and World No.1 rider Scott Brash was definitely the one that most had their money on. As he came into the arena with the incredible Hello Sanctos on whom he won a Team Gold at the London 2012 Olympic Games all eyes were on them as ‘the one to beat’. Having jumped brilliant clears in the first two rounds, Sanctos who is owned by Lady Kirkham and Lord & Lady Harris looked incredibly fresh and pleased to be back competing having enjoyed a rest recently. Making the enormous fences look effortless he stepped up the pace as he twisted his way around the course to leave all the fences standing just over a second faster than Bassem Hassan Mohammed in a timeof 38.57 seconds.
Last to go Pieter Devos and Candy had put in a very fast second round clear to leave them in the top spot coming forward to this final phase. Thinking they may do the same again, it must have been a pensive time for Scott – however, an early fence down saw Scott assured of the title and yet another high profile win for both himself and Sanctos.
Talking afterwards Scott was full of praise for Sanctos saying “What can I say. He is just Sanctos. He jumps clear every time. Words can’t describe him, he is a horse in a million and has to go down as one of the all time greats. His owners (Lady Kirkham and Lord & Lady Harris) were watching from home and have been on the phone – I just wish they could have been here”.
RESULTS
1.Scott Brash & Hello Sanctos (GBR) – (0/0/0 38.57)
2.Bassem Hassan Mohammed (QAT) – Palloubet D Halong – (0/0/0 - 39.74)
3.Pieter Devos (BEL) & Candy (0/0/4 44.19)
4.Roger Yves-Bost & Nippon d’Elle (0/0/5 47.33)
5.Lauren hough 4 61.98
6.Kent farrington 4 62.38
For full results and further information on the Longines Global Champions Tour please visit www.globalchampionstour.com
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