Twomey wins Valencia GCT Grand Prix

Today’s victory in the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Spain for Irish rider Billy Twomey (IRE) on his stallion J’Taime Flamenco is the first Global Champions Tour win for him.

Twomey meant business from the moment he entered the arena and he was already well up on time as he approached the fourth fence on course. Keeping the ride smooth and lines direct the big striding stallion actually covered more ground than appeared as they stopped the clock in 39.18. “The horse performed very well. I am delighted with him – commented the winner – I gave him a couple of weeks off before this show and he was fresh here. It is great that we finally got a win at the Global Champions Tour”

Master of the game Ludger Beerbaum’s attempt to chase Twomey down with Gotha was unsuccessful as they completed the track clear but in 40.04. “I am pleased of how my horse jumped. The second round was the biggest she has ever done. It gives me confidence for the rest of the season. I was watching Billy’s round in the jump-off and I underestimated how fast he was. I slowed down after the combination as I though he had not gone that fast. No question he deserved to win today”.

Twomey was ecstatic with his first Global Champions win since his debut at a Global Champions Tour event in Cannes, France in 2007. The cheque of 92,000 Euro will certainly keep a broad smile on the Irish rider’s face just a ‘wee tad’ longer.

Twenty three year old Dutch rider Maikel van der Vleuten rode for a steady clear round with the VDL Groep’s young grand prix stallion ‘Verdi’ and produced a well executed clear round in a time of 45.99, eventually finishing in third place.

ALVARO DE MIRANDA NETO STILL AT THE TOP OF THE GCT PROVISIONAL RANKINS

After an intense and exciting competition today in Valencia the Global Champions Tour ranking stayed the same with Brazilian Alvaro de Miranda Neto (Doda) remaining the leader. Despite ending his Grand Prix today in 11th place with AD Ashleigh Drossel Dan he managed to still top the leader board with 66 points (40 points in Doha + 26 points in Valencia).

Today’s winner Billy Twomey (Ireland) was catapulted up the Global Champions Tour Rankings into second place, now on 64 points.

Two German riders in Lars Nieberg (58 points) and Ludger Beerbaum (56.5 points) are just behind Twomey. With Meredith Michaels-Beerbaum (Germany) that has now moved down from 3rd place to 9th after Checkmate felled the first fence in the first round today. Swiss Rider Pius Schwizer had two down today riding Ulysse, sliding him from 2nd to 12th placing on the Global Champions Tour ranking list.

“I think this year is going to be a very exciting season – says the President of the Global Champions Tour, Jan Tops – We see today two riders that have never been on the podium before. So the cards have been mixed again. It is very exciting”.