World No1 Brash blows away opposition as Miami Beach Mayor hails ‘absolutely incredible’ event
Miami, FL – April 3, 2015 – World No1 and reigning Longines Global Champions Tour Champion Scott Brash (GBR) and Hello Forever won the feature class of the day, the historic American Invitational. Following a thrilling jump-off, Scott set the pace early with his new ride and though they tried their best to catch him Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) and Concordija, and on-form Daniel Deusser (GER) and Pironella had to settle for second and third, respectively.

Scott Brash and Hello Forever. Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine presented the prizes to the winners: “This is absolutely incredible. We are so honoured to have this amazing Longines Global Champions Tour event right on the sands of Miami Beach and we know this is just the beginning of a long-term event. We will welcome you back next year. This is just absolutely exciting for everyone to watch, all the tourists, all the residents and congratulations to Scott. This is fabulous!”

This was the first really testing class of the event ahead of tomorrow’s Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix, as 53 horses took to the ocean-side arena for the 42nd American Invitational. Many of the Florida-based horse and rider combinations had been used to the large open arenas of Wellington, whereas for many who have flown over from Europe, this is their first outdoor event of the season.

As sunbathers gathered in around the unbelievable arena and the sun began to sink on this picture-perfect location this afternoon, some top-class show jumping unfolded on Miami Beach. Uliano Vezzani’s 1.55m first round course began with an inviting spread fence, but the tests came thick and fast from that point onward.

Home pair Schuyler Riley (USA) and Dobra de Porceyo were the first to jump clear, quickly followed by Georgina Bloomberg (USA), Michael Whitaker (GBR), Paige Johnson (USA) and Audrey Coulter (USA). Many top names fell by the wayside, caught out by the sharp corners and testing distances. Toward the end of the first round, Luciana Diniz (POR) and Lady Lindenhof jumped a neat clear following a clean round from Daniel Deusser (GER) and Pironella, and finishing with a great zero score round from a thrilled Sheikh Ali bin Khalid Al Thani (QAT) and Concordija.

Schuyler Riley and Dobra de Porceyo set the standard in the 9-horse jump-off with a clear in 35.46s from first to go, but Scott Brash and Hello Forever swept around the course wiping over 2s off her time. Paige Johnson and Dakota put in a fantastic round to finish just over one second behind Brash, but Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Pironella slotted in between the two in 34.14s. Last to go, Al Thani threw caution to the wind but was unable to catch the World No1 finishing in 33.48s.

The snug arena, crowded on all sides by an enthusiastic crowd, creates an intense atmosphere so it will take a top horse and rider team to win the main event tomorrow afternoon, the opening Longines GCT Grand Prix of the season. Watch the Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix live on www.globalchampionstour.com via GCT TV, see highlights on NBC Sports Network Sunday 5th April 3.30pm – 4.30pm (EST) or on Eurosport on Sunday at 8pm (CET).

Friday Results

Class 09: Miami Beach 2015 CSI5* American Invitational
RK     CNR     Rider/Horse                 EUR     USD     Round A    Jump-Off        Time
1     25         Scott Brash  Hello Forever 38,140     41,910     0.00    0.00        33.35
2     43      Sheikh Ali Bin Khalid Al ThaniConcordija23,115   25,400     0.00    0.00    33.48
3     30         Daniel Deusser Pironella   17,336     19,050     0.00    0.00        34.14
4     136     Paige Johnson Dakota          11,557     12,700     0.00    0.00        34.63
5     154     Schuyler Riley Dobra de Porceyo 6,935     7,620     0.00    0.00        35.46
6     123     Georgina Bloomberg Caleno 3   5,201     5,715     0.00    4.00        35.33
7     40          Luciana DinizLady Lindenhof   3,467     3,810     0.00    4.00        35.65
8     116     Audrey Coulter Capital Colnardo 2,889     3,175     0.00    8.00        36.15
9     28           Michael Whitaker Valentin R     2,311     2,540     0.00    8.00        38.18
10     127     Kent Farrington Willow            2,312     2,540     4.00        74.84
11     8         Pieter DevosDream of India Greenfield   1,156     1,270     4.00        75.06
12     3     Gregory WatheletEgano van het Slogenhof    1,156     1,270     4.00        75.70

Alex Crown and Von Cim topped the CSI2* 1.45m

Class 08: Miami Beach 2015 CSI2* 1.45m
RK     CNR     Rider/Horse             EUR     USD     Round A    Jump-Off        Time
1     262     Alexandra CrownVon Cim    10,511     11,550     0.00    0.00        36.17
2     216     Chloe Reid Athena        6,370     7,000     0.00    0.00        36.38
3     244     Cara Raether Lyonell    4,778     5,250     0.00    0.00        37.30
4     278    Wesley Newlands Evita van de Veldbalie    3,185     3,500     0.00   0.00   37.72
5     225     Taylor Alexander G&C Flash        1,911     2,100     0.00    0.00        37.77
6     203     Alex Granato    Mullaghdrin Rado1,433     1,575     0.00    4.00        35.42
7     246     Catherine Nicole Tyree Don’t Go    956     1,050     0.00    4.00        36.13
8     269     Adrienne Sternlicht    Quidam MB    796     875     0.00    4.00        36.39
9     240     Alexa Lowe-Wiseman November        637     700     0.00    4.00        36.64
10     271     Cloe Hymowitz Romance de Kerliven637     700     0.00    4.00        39.02
11     283     Jessica Springsteen Carolina 31        319     350     0.00    8.00        36.77
12     212     Jorge Matte Capdevila Perle du Marais319     350     0.00    12.00        41.76

Tegan Treacy and Catalyst claimed victory in Friday afternoon’s 1.15 meters. 

Class 07: Miami Beach 2015 CSI2* 1.15m
RK     CNR     Rider/Horse                     EUR     USD     Round A    Jump-Off        Time
1     268     Tegan Elizabeth Treacy Catalyst 1,051     1,155     0.00    0.00        30.31
2     276     Catherine WuRen Round Number    637     700     0.00    0.00        34.20
3     209     Jennifer Gates    Toupie de Cantraie 478     525     0.00    0.00        40.81
4     256     Tracey Gorin-Byrne Mahogany        319     350     0.00    4.00        32.71
5     306     Couch Tara Callagher EV Allora    191     210     0.00    4.00        34.81
6     299     Lea AllenKomedie de Montsec        143     158     0.00    4.00        36.03
7     307     Andrew Ziegler Cyber van Vryhern 96     105     0.00    4.00        44.51
8     284     Alexandra Cherubini Equifit Carlos  80     88     0.00    10.00        53.22
9     285     Alexandra Cherubini Equifit Cayenne 178 64     70     0.00    12.00        42.45
10     237      Beth Goodwin Angel             64     70     0.00    ELM
11     304     Emma DienstCote d’Or Vis        32     35     1.00        74.25
12     298     Ahmed AlaliFenway                32     35     4.00        62.04

Class 06: Miami Beach 2015 CSI2* 1.25/1.30m
RK     CNR     Rider/Horse                         EUR     USD     Round A    Jump-Off        Time
1     291     Ronan Peter Mc Guigan  Capall Zidane 1,502     1,650     0.00    0.00      30.04
2     264     Hillary McNerney Balans RV          910     1,000     0.00    0.00        31.11
3     277     Wesley Newlands Wieminka B             683     750     0.00    0.00        31.92
4     222     Gabriela Mershad Caprilli HSF        455     500     0.00    0.00        33.63
5     241     Alexa Lowe-Wiseman Gringo            273     300     0.00    0.00        33.76
6     272     Cloe Hymowitz Little Love            205     225     0.00    0.00        33.93
7     296     Caitlin Creel Nevada                137     150     0.00    0.00        35.89
8     226     Taylor Alexander    La Tulipe        114     125     0.00    0.00        37.41
9     293     Emily Moffitt Zagahorn                91     100     0.00    4.00        31.08
10     282     Emma HeiseViper Vrombautshoeve Z    91     100     0.00    4.00        32.14
11     255     Abbey Soffer Violetta                46     50     0.00    4.00        33.49
12     270     Adrienne Sternlicht Providence        46     50     0.00    4.00        33.81