The Longines Global Champions Tour held its first European leg last weekend with the third leg of the competition hosted by Antwerp in Belgium – known as the ‘city of diamonds’.
Phenomenal
French rider Penelope Leprevost scooped first prize in the Grand Prix riding her chestnut mare Flora de Mariposa.
“She was just amazing today ” said a delighted Penelope on her mare’s performance.
Penelope faced some tough competition in Antwerp with many of the sport’s top horses in action. Simon Delestre a previous winner of this Grand Prix finished runner-up with Hermes Ryan crossing the finish line just tenths of a second behind Penelope.
Swedish Rolf-Goran Bengtsson and the mighty Casall ASK took third place having already won six Global Champions Tour Grands Prix to date.
Top teams
Twelve teams took part in this leg of the Global Champions League. At their home venue the Antwerp Diamonds jumped from fourth place to the ranking lead in a very closely fought contest.
Monaco Aces and Valkenswaard United took joint second place on the leaderboard a mere two points behind the Antwerp Diamonds.
It was a thrilling home win for Belgian rider Jos Verlooy. “We came with big guns – our aim was to win and we did I couldn’t be happier!” he said.
Mexico recap
At the previous leg in the new venue of Mexico City the Grand Prix was won by Roger-Yves Bost and the team Global Champions League competition went to Monaco Aces who were just one point ahead of Shanghai Swans.
The next leg is held at Shanghai this coming weekend.