News
Maher and Tripple X III take home the GCT in Valencia
May 7, 2012
Britain and Ireland took centre stage at the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Spain seizing the top two podium places after a thrilling jump off. Ben Maher clinched victory on Tripple X III jumping a fast clear in 41.35 with Michael Whitaker in second place on Viking in 42.17 and Irish rider Denis Lynch on Abbervail van het Dingeshof came in third in a fast time of 40.91 despite clocking up four faults in the jump off.
With the GCT Grand Prix counting towards Olympic qualifying the pressure was on a big field of top international riders to perform in the €285,000 CSI 5* 1.60m class, which was full of some of the most talented speed riders.
Brazil’s Alvaro de Miranda and French rider Penelope LePrevost took fourth and fifth places. Only Ben Maher and Michael Whitaker jumped three clear rounds on the big, challenging courses designed by Frank Rothenberger.
The results of the second leg of the GCT 2012 series mean Edwina Tops-Alexander is still leading the GCT ranking followed by Denis Lynch and Marco Kutscher. Edwina had a fence down in the second round of the Grand Prix on her star horse Cevo Itôt du Chateau, but due to her win at the opening show in Doha, Qatar, last month she is still the rider to beat this season.
With another 11 events to go in this year’s Global Champions Tour series, there is everything to play for with the next show taking place in Hamburg, Germany, starting on May 16.
Source: press release GCT