Daniel Deusser snatches the Grand Prix at Valkenswaard

The Grand Prix started with Mathijs van Asten (NED) who made 8 penalties in the first round, and landed in at 26th place. Winner of the legs in Cannes and Estoril, Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER), started as 33rd and did not make it to the finish line. She and Checkmate retired.

Jos Lansink (BEL), who won the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix in Valkenswaard last year, had a little bit of bad luck. Though he rode a good course and only had 4 penalty points, he just fell out of the top 18 when Judy Ann Melchior (BEL) finished with a clear
round.

The jump-off was between Edwina Alexander (AUS) and Isovlas Socrates, who later revealed that she knew that she was not fast enough, but also said “we actually did not jump the first 2 fences right and I knew I touched it, and normally I never look back, but now I did. I shifted my balance a little and that is probably why we touched the second
one too. But it didn’t fall down and I was hoping I would still be third because then I would be on the podium.”

Daniel Deusser, the German rider of Stal Tops had a fast round with Air Jordan Z. He felt like winning at home. “It’s like winning at home and I am very happy to win here” was Daniel’s second reaction. His first reaction was shown on tv.

Third starter Michel Robert (FRA) and Mme Pompadour did not speed, and unfortunately made 2 mistakes, giving them fifth place.

Fourth starter was Nick Skelton (GBR) who finished in 34.97 seconds and later became second. After he finished, he confirmed his position as best ranked rider of the GCT Ranking. He now has 69 points which is 13points ahead of ex equo’s Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (GER) and Edwina Alexander.

After the fifth starter, Henk van de Pol (NED), Daniel knew he won. Henk won the Big Tour final last Sunday, and rode Rhodos in the jump-off of the Global Champions Tour. Though fast, he had made 1 fault costing him a place on the podium and almost 80,000 euro’s.
Jan Tops, president of the Global Champions Tour, knows for certain that the GCT will expand next year with a stage in Valencia, Spain.