The vibrant shore of Miami Beach was electrified as the first CSI5* day of the highly anticipated 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour kicked off in spectacular fashion. Against the backdrop of sun-kissed shores and swaying palms, the world’s top equestrian athletes converged for an exhilarating weekend of fun and entertainment.
Dutch rider Miakel van der Vleuten emerged victorious aboard Elwikke in one of the closest speed class showdowns of the year, clinching the CSI5* title by a mere 0.08 of a second. The crowd of beach goers erupted in applause as van der Vleuten late in the class stopped the clock after long time leader Natalie Dean, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable 3 days of the highest level of the sport.
Talking 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.”
Local hero Natalie Dean, captured hearts and headlines with a stellar performance aboard Chadora Lady, securing a well-deserved second place. The atmosphere was electric as Dean spirited around the arena right next to the Atlantic Ocean to take the early lead and set the pace for the rest of the field.
Rounding out the podium, Irish rider Shane Sweetnam aboard Irandole du Flot, claimed a formidable third place and further igniting the excitement for the days ahead as he continues his epic form from previous years at the unique location.
As the sun sets on this extraordinary day of competition, Miami Beach remains abuzz with anticipation for what lies ahead in this leg of LGCT. With its iconic backdrop and vibrant lifestyle, this event promises to deliver a weekend filled with the highest level of sport and unforgettable moments.
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.