Apr, 2024
Sun, sea and some of the best riders in the world descending for a weekend of incredible show jumping can only mean one thing – the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour has made it to Miami Beach. This unbelievable backdrop will play host to an exhilarating weekend of jumping, including the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix and the Longines Global Champions League.
Official Partner to the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami Beach, Mexico, Shanghai and Riyadh
Connolly’s RED MILLS, alongside our sister brands Foran Equine and Carr & Day & Martin are proud to be the official feed, supplement and care partners to the Longines Global Champions Tour in Miami Beach, Mexico, Shanghai and Riyadh.
Need for Speed
The stage was set early for an epic weekend, with the crowd being treated to an electrifying showdown in the CSI5* Speed Class. Local hero and RED MILLS rider Natalie Dean was quick out of the blocks to claim an early lead with the talented mare Chadora Lady. Chadora Lady certainly captured the hearts of her local crowd with a stellar performance, setting the pace for her fellow competitors, and setting up one of the closest speed class showdowns of the year to date.
A Sensational Battle
It was fellow RED MILLS rider Maikel van der Vleuten and his mount Elwikke who clinched the title, with a mere 0.08 seconds to spare towards the end of the class.
Speaking to GCTV Maikel said: “We had a great show here last year so always good to come back to Miami Beach at this iconic location. Fingers crossed for the team GCL class tomorrow and we can repeat what we did last year. We had a good round today, Elwikke was really focused the whole round and was feeling really comfortable… I could use her big stride, so now and then I could leave some strides out. We had a very smooth round without taking too much energy out of her.
With Natalie Dean and Maikel van der Vleuten’s epic battle for victory, and Laura Kraut and her ride Calgary Tame rounding out the top 5 finishers, Miami Beach has already provided some heroic performances from RED MILLS riders.
All eyes will now turn towards the 2024 instalments of the Longines Global Champions League, and the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in the coming days.
