29 Nov 2013
The Longines Global Champions Tour of 2013 saw some incredible displays of horsemanship from some of the world’s greatest riders. Throughout the 12-leg Tour, riders were required to demonstrate their skills on sand and grass, in large and small arenas, during the day and under floodlights, at spectacular venues around the globe. The 2013 Championship season posed a true test of the riders’ mettle at every venue, leaving the race for Tour Ranking points wide open until the very final leg in Doha.
The newly-crowned 2013 Championship and Grand Prix of Doha winner, Scotland’s Scott Brash, was one of only two riders able to collect a Gold, Silver and Bronze Grand Prix medal placing (in Doha, Estoril and Chantilly) during this highly competitive season. The other being former Tour Ranking Leader Germany’s Christian Ahlmann (Gold in Hamburg, Silver in Chantilly and Bronze in London), who finished second in the Championship overall after getting a single excruciating time fault in second round of the Grand Prix of Doha, excluding him from the jump-off.
USA’s Laura Kraut, who placed third in the Championship overall, picked up a Gold and Silver medal in Wiesbaden and Madrid, and led the Tour Ranking race coming into the Doha Final. But Kraut was piped at the post by Brash and Ahlmann with the finish line in sight. Though Laura revealed she felt like she “could do it” despite feeling nervous, an unlucky four faults in the first round of the Grand Prix of Doha saw her Championship hopes dashed.
Brazil’s Alvaro (Doda) de Miranda and Gerco Schroder of The Netherlands were equal-fourth with regards to Grand Prix medal placings during the Longines Global Champions Tour this season. Doda de Miranda won a Gold medal in Valkenswaard and a Bronze in Madrid, while Gerco Schroder collected a Gold in Vienna and a Bronze in Valkenswaard. Britain’s William Funnellalso had a very successful Tour, winning a Silver medal in both Monte Carlo and Cannes, leaving him fifth in this year’s Grand Prix medal standings.
Great Britain and Germany tie at the top of the 2013 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix medal table with eight apiece. The USA ranked third in the table with five medals, while France and The Netherlands tie for fourth with four medals each. As the thrilling 2013 season draws to a close, it’s clear that 2014 promises to be a Championship battle to behold. Look out for the Longines Global Champions Tour 2014 schedule which will soon be announced.
Source: GCT
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