Dutch Champion wins spectacular GCT Madrid Grand Prix

Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and VDL Groep Verdi won the Longines Global Champions Tour of Madrid Grand Prix in spectacular style this evening with three beautiful clear rounds in front of packed stands. Second place went to Marcus Ehning (GER) and Plot Blue, the only other combination to complete three faultless rounds. Third was fan-favourite Gerco Schröder (NED) and Glock's London, who are returning to competition like they have never been away.

The intense high-quality sport seen today sets the scene for an electrifying contest between the titans of show jumping over the next few rounds, as the tour moves to Hamburg and the ground-breaking event in Shanghai in early June. Millions have watched Madrid on TV and online, and over 20,000 spectators have flocked to the stunning venue during the show.

Similar to the first round, Santiago Varela's second round took no prisoners from the eleven clears that went through as part of the Top 18. There were clears from a few of the fastest four-faulters - Ben Maher (GBR) and Cella, Doda de Miranda (BRA) and AD Uutje, and Sergio Alvarez Moya (ESP) and Carlo. As first, it looked as though there would be no double clears, as another tight time allowed and a technical, twisty course saw Gerco Shröder (NED) and Glock's London and pick up an excrutiating time fault, as did Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) and Ego van Orti.

But recently crowned Dutch Champion, van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Verdi made the tricky course look easy and the experienced combination of Marcus Ehning and Plot Blue put in a characteristicly spotless round to give a two-horse jump-off.

As the sun sank behind the trees at the beautiful Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Marcus Ehning was first to go in the deciding round, path finder in the final sweeping course, with a few potential tight turn-backs - Marcus chose care over speed to go clear. With pole position of last to go, van der Vleuten could see exactly where he needed to make up time and executed a stunning performance, taking the Gold medal position to rapturous applause.

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