World number one showjumper Scott Brash landed a big-money double at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) in Miami Beach, Florida (2-4 April).
On Friday, he and new ride Hello Forever took top spot in the prestigious annual American Invitational. The Scotsman followed up on Saturday evening by taking the inaugural Miami Beach grand prix with top ride Hello Sanctos, producing one of only two triple clears in the competition.
“It’s just a joy to be here in Miami, but to win the American Invitational and the Global Champions Tour is fantastic,” said Scott, the title-holder of the past two LGCT championships. ““It’s a fantastic start to win the first leg but there’s a long way to go – it’s a tough tour to win.”
The Tour celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and this stunning Miami Beach location proved a popular venue for this season’s series to be launched. Saturday’s $600,000 grand prix attracted a huge throng of spectators.
“We never thought my horses could win both,” said Scott, who collected nearly $200,000 for his win in this 2015 season opener – he landed a record-breaking three LGCT grands prix in the 2014 series. “Sanctos is a legend, he’s magnificent, he’s the horse of a lifetime.”
Second place went to Qatar rider Bassem Hassan Mohammed riding a slightly slower clear on the big-jumping chestnut Palloubet D’Halong and the final spot on the podium went to Belgian rider Pieter Devos (Candy), who collected four faults in the four-rider jump-off. Frenchman Roger Yves Bost took fourth after Nippon D’Elle glanced off on a tight turn back to a vertical, finishing on five faults. Denis Lynch was the best placed Irishman in 12th on Ho Go Van De Padenborre.
Don’t miss the full report and all the action from the Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach in next week’s issue of Horse & Hound, out Thursday 9 April.
