Photos: Stefano Grasso /
GCL
Valkenswaard United’s formidable duo of
John Whitaker (GBR) and Bertram Allen (IRL) rocketed up the
Global Champions League team rankings after a stunning win
today in Hamburg. This was the first time two teams finished
on a score of zero and the temperature rose as the riders’
combined time came into play to determine the final order
providing a fascinating nail-biting finish to the 1.55m two
round competition. Valkenswaard United now sit on 130 points
overall, with Monaco Aces on 119 points and Antwerp Diamonds
close behind on 116 points overall.
A third of the way through the season and the stakes have
been raised with team rivalry growing ever stronger. Today’s
winner John Whitaker threw down the gauntlet to the other
teams, stating: “We’re a good team and we’re going to keep
the pressure on!”
The level of competition has moved up a gear, with riders
consistently bringing top horses in the new team competition
format. This weekend Bertram Allen brought his 2015 LGCT
Grand Prix of Paris winning horse, the experienced 18 year
old chestnut Romanov, specifically for this event. In the
press conference following his win, he spoke about the high
calibre of competition on the League, saying: "I knew I had
to bring a good horse. I brought [Romanov] here for one
class and he delivered, so it worked a treat for me.”
Twelve teams lined up for the second European leg of the
Championship, as eager fans packed the arena to catch their
first up close glimpse of the bright coloured shirts and
revolutionary new format. During the day VIPs and guests,
including record-breaking tennis ace Steffi Graf attended
the event. As the teams took to the arena, thousands cheered
on the teams, dancing to the individual theme tunes and
clapping along as the riders entered the ring. The first
round course turned into a game of speed as riders from the
majority of the team riders went clear. Four faults caused
serious drops in the order, and with three teams -
Valkenswaard United, Paris Jets and Antwerp Diamonds - on
zero faults, the pressure was on as eight teams progressed
to round two.
Miami Glory, Madrid in Motion, Doha Fursan Qatar and last
weekend’s winners the Cacais Charms were those who suffered
the most, dropping out of the qualifying zone and unable to
progress through to round two.
The Monaco Aces were first to go, with four faults and the
slowest time in round one putting them lowest in the order.
However a stunning double clear in an impressive time from
Daniel Bluman and Conconcreto Apardi, and a speedy second
round from Schuyler Riley with Dobra de Porceyo placed them
high up the grid, ultimately finishing in fourth. Marlon
Módolo Zanotelli was first in for the Rome Gladiators, with
Valetto JX, and delivered a fast clear round. Laura Kraut
delivered a careful double clear with her relatively young
grey gelding Confu, pushing the team up to third overall.
Antwerp Diamonds combination of Audrey Coulter with Alex and
Harrie Smolders with Bokai jumped double clear, finishing on
a combined time of 153.92s. Harrie has been the most
consistent rider on the League so far, jumping every round
he’s competed in clear with the beautiful grey horse.
Bertram Allen knew he had everything to do as the final
rider who could change the top podium position. With a full
six seconds to make up, and the pressure of jumping clear,
Bertram took on the challenge, and in typical style stole
the show with a phenomenal round on his horse Romanov. The
pair finished in a combined 150.29s, taking the gold medal
for the Global Champions League of Hamburg.
The League now turns to Madrid, where home team Madrid in
Motion will be looking for a strong result on home turf.
Jan Tops, Co-Founder of the Global Champions League:
“We can see how the teams really get ready for [the
competitions]. They put their top horses in and you see that
the level gets higher and higher. It’s the first time also
that we had two teams with clear rounds, that’s not happened
before. Everyone takes it very seriously. It’s an experience
to see the practice arena - there are not only the riders
but the people around, it’s great team work how they work
together, and it’s beautiful to watch. At the moment
Valkenswaard United are very strong and in the lead. The
Antwerp Diamonds were in the lead before, however had a
little less of a good weekend in Shanghai so dropped, but
the race is still open and anything can happen. We’re a
third of the way through the series, everyone takes it very
seriously and anything can happen.”
Volker Wulff, Show organiser, Jumping Hamburg: “We
saw new pictures, new dress - it was a very, very nice
competition. We have been working together since 2008, so
nearly 10 years, and we will definitely continue for the
next few years, it’s very good for our sport, working with
Jan and his team, with the Longines Global Champions Tour
and now the Global Champions League as a new addition for
our event. It was a really great class we saw.”
John Whitaker, Valkenswaard United, Gold Medallist:
“We’re a good team, and we’re going to keep the pressure on!
We had a great day, my horse jumped super. He’s eight years
old and this is probably the biggest he’s jumped in his
career - he’s a big horse who enjoys the big rings. We had
the same strategy as Miami, so I would get the clears in and
leave Bertram to do the speed part - which he did very
well.”
Bertram Allen, Valkenswaard United, Gold Medallist:
“I was trying to do the maths in my head with the few who
had gone before me. I saw Harrie go, and I knew I had to be
six seconds faster than Harrie so I didn’t know if I could
do that! I just went in and tried my best, went fast. I
wasn’t sure how fast I had to go. At the double for the
start I was very very tight, and I think that got me up on
the time a lot, and then I had to keep it fast from there.
They’re getting very competitive these Global Champions
Leagues, so I knew I had to bring a good horse. I brought
[Romanov] here for one class and he delivered, so it worked
a treat for me.”
Audrey Coulter, Antwerp Diamonds, Silver Medallist:
“Harrie’s been a very valuable member of our team, he’s been
clear every time which is amazing! Consistency is really
important - we’re only a third of the way through so there’s
a lot to go forward. We have some horses who have proved
themselves in this class and I think we’ll continue to use
those and put our best foot forward, trying to be on the
podium as much as possible to be in a good standing by the
end of the League."
Harrie Smolders, Antwerp Diamonds, Silver Medallist:
“I think this class suits [my horse Bokai] very well, which
is why we brought him here again. He convinced us again
today - he jumped very well. I would have liked to have gone
a little bit faster, to put a little more pressure on
Valkenswaard United, but I felt I had to slow down at the
end a little to keep him clear. I left a gap for Bertram and
he filled it!"
Laura Kraut, Rome Gladiators, Bronze Medallist:
“[Marlon] and I make a [great pair]! I was very fortunate as
the horse that I’m riding is very inexperienced and I knew I
couldn’t push him for time, and Marlon was amazing. I just
said ‘go in and do what you do’ and he did! He was fast, and
really made a lot of difference - we could have been sixth,
seventh or eighth, so I’m very fortunate to have such a
great team mate. It was very close - we beat the Monaco Aces
by just .1 of a second or similar."
Marlon Zanotelli, Rome Gladiators, Bronze Medallist:
“We didn’t have much luck in Antwerp, and just missed the
podium. So today is a nice feeling. When Laura walked in I
asked her what I should do, and she said do a 'safe round
and go clear, and if you’re faster your faster’."