Ireland's Billy Twomey Wins Global Champions Tour in Valencia

After an intense and exciting competition today, Saturday May 7, the Global Champions Tour ranking stayed the same with Brazilian Alvaro de Miranda Neto (Doda) remaining the leader.  Despite ending his Grand Prix today in 11^th place with AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan he managed to still top the leader board with 66 points (40 points in Doha + 26 points in Valencia).

Today’s winner Billy Twomey (Ireland) was catapulted up the Global Champions Tour Rankings into second place, now on 64 points. This was the first time on the podium for the Irish rider.

Two German riders in Lars Nieberg (58 points) and Ludger Beerbaum (56.5 points) are just behind Twomey.  German Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum has now moved down from 3^rd place to 9^th after Checkmate felled the first fence in the first round today. Swiss Rider Pius Schwizer had two down today riding Ulysse, sliding him from 2^nd to 12^th placing on the Global Champions Tour ranking list.

Today’s victory in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Spain for Irish rider Billy Twomey (IRE) on his stallion J’Taime Flamenco is the first Global Champions Tour win for him.

Twomey meant business from the moment he entered the arena and he was already well up on time as he approached the fourth fence on course.  Keeping the ride smooth and lines direct the big striding stallion actually covered more ground than appeared as they stopped the clock in 39.18. 

Master of the game Ludger Beerbaum’s attempt to chase Twomey down with Gotha was unsuccessful as they completed the track in 40.04.

Twomey was ecstatic with his first Global Champions win since his first start at a Global Champions Tour event in Cannes, France in 2007.  The cheque of 92,000 Euro will certainly keep a broad smile on the Irish rider’s face just a ‘wee tad’ longer.

20 clear round combinations went through to the second round with just four double clears returning for the jump-off.

First to go into the jump-off USA rider Laura Kraut riding Cedric presented a tidy time (40.34) over course designer Frank Rothenberger ‘s jump-off track, however she came through the finish flags with one rail down.  Twenty three year old Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten rode for a steady clear round with the VDL Groep’s young grand prix stallion ‘Verdi’ and produced a well executed clear round in a time of 45.99, eventually finishing in third place. 

In fact it was the surface that was the point of discussion amongst the riders. Directly after the preceding class the heavens opened dumping a very great amount of water onto the ground.  Half an hour later most had dried up, yet remained sticky and for some horses it just did not suit.

QUOTES

Billy TWOMEY (IRL), winner of the Global Champions Tour in Valencia riding J’Taime Flamenco

On his performance today

“The horse performed very well. I am delighted with him. I gave him a couple of weeks off before this show and he was fresh here. It is great that we finally got a win at the Global Champions Tour”

 On his current string of horses

“I am lucky to have very good horses in my current string. Sue Davies is a great owner and supporter. I am looking forward to the rest of the season with the caliber of horses I have”

On the difficulties of today’s Grand Prix

“First of all you have to consider that you have here the best riders of the world. I think the course builder got it absolutely right today. We had great sport, great venue and great prize money. I cannot stop saying how delighted I am”.

Ludger BEERBAUM (GER), second placed riding Gotha

On his performance today

“I am pleased of how my horse jumped. The second round was the biggest she has ever done. It gives me confidence for the rest of the season. I was watching Billy’s round in the jump-off and I underestimated how fast he was. I slowed down after the combination as I though he had not gone that fast. No question he deserved to win today”.

About today’s wet weather conditions

“I think the organisers have done a great job in dealing with the circumstances”.

On his horse Gotha

“We are lacking a bit of consistencies but I am pleased about today”.

Maikel VAN DER VLEUTEN (NED), third placed riding VDL Groep Verdi

About his feelings being the ‘rising star’ of the day

“At the moment we have this very good horse. He is not fast. The only thing I could do in the jump-off was to look for a clear. I am very happy to be in third place”.

Jan TOPS (NED), President of the Global Champions Tour

On the 2011 Global Champions Tour

“I think this year is going to be a very exciting season. We see today two riders that have never been on the podium before. So the cards have been mixed again. It is very exciting”.

Commenting on what conditions are necessary for a particular venue to be chosen for the Global Champions Tour:

“There are many special places in the world where we could consider for a Global Champions Tour.  Firstly we consider the sport conditions which need to be perfect; footing/surfaces for the jumping, courses and money.  Of course a naturally wonderful venue always helps and is great for the spectators. Logistics need to be possible for a tour bringing the best riders and horses.  Flying or road travelling horses around the world needs to be carefully orchestrated.  We have to consider the welfare of our horses and we have to think how to logistically do every event.” 

On the weather conditions

“Three days ago we learned that it was going to rain so we had a second scenario to put in place in case it was needed. The ground was very good even with the heavy rain and it quickly recuperated, so we did not need to put the second scenario in place”.

Alvaro MIRANDA NETO (BRA) – Leader of the Global Champions Tour after the first two events

On today’s result, finishing in 11^th place with AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan

“I am very happy to be still leader and I am extremely pleased with the way Drossel Dan performed today. I did not ride too well in the second round and the 8 faults we got are the result of my mistakes. The horse was great”.

Eric VAN DER VLEUTEN (NED) rider and father of third placed Mikael VAN DER VLEUTEN

On his feelings watching his son Mikael riding in the jump-off:

“It was great. His horse is only nine years old and did really well today. As a dad it was pretty emotional. This is surely the best ever result for Mikael at the Global Champions Tour level and I felt a very proud father!”

June will be a very busy month for the Global Champions Tour with three major legs of the tour in Hamburg, Cannes and Monte Carlo. The circuit moves next to Hamburg, Germany (June 1-5^th) with the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Germany set to take place on Saturday 4^thJune, 2011. Live television coverage of the Grand Prix will be broadcast on Eurosport on the Saturday evening, while the event will be relayed on National German channels. 

Live streaming of all the Global Champions Tour main events each day will be available on the dedicated website.  www.globalchampionstour.com.  The latest news and information can also be obtained online.  Join the Global Champions Tour on their designated Facebook and Twitter social media platforms.

Global Champions Tour Rankings – top 18 riders after 2^nd leg (Valencia)

1. Alvaro De Miranda Neto (BRA), 66 - 2. Dennis Lynch (IRE), 64 - 3.Lars Nieberg (GER), 58 – 4. Ludger Beerbaum (GER), 56.50 - 5= Edwina Alexander (AUS), 55 – 5= Gerco Schroeder (NED), 55 – 7. Billy Twomey (IRE), 51 – 8. Sh Shakboot Bin Nahyan Al Nahyan (UAE), 49 – 9. Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum, 46 – 10. Kevin Staut (FRA) 44 – 11.Simon Delestre (FRA), 42 – Pius Schwizer (SUI), 37 – 13. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED), 35 – 14=. Luciana Diniz (POR), 33 – 14=. Laura Kraut (USA), 33 – 16=. Jeroen Dubbeldam (NED), 31 – 16=. Marcus Ehning (GER), 31 – 18. Werner Muff (SUI), 29

The Global Champions Tour ranking is updated after each leg of the tour based on the scores derived from the rider’s performances. 

Global Champions Tour 2011 Events

Doha, Qatar March 17-19     Valencia, Spain May 6-8     Hamburg, Germany June 1-5    Cannes, France June 9-11    Monte Carlo, Monaco June 23-25  Estoril, Portugal  July 1-2   Chantilly, France July 22-24    Valkenswaard, The Netherlands  August 12-14    Rio de Janeiro, Brazil September 2-4  Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates,  November 10-12