Fifty-three international riders from 17 countries came to the Mexican capital to demonstrate their talent at the Campo Militar Marte, a privileged place for its surroundings trees and for being one of the most elegant and exclusive areas in the country.
From April 28th to May 1st, one of the most important equestrian shows in the world took place. The Mexicans participated in this event were Paola Amilibia, José Antonio Chedraui, Federico Fernández, Carlos Hank Guerreiro, Arturo Parada, Patricio Pasquel and Nicolás Pizarro, current number one in the Mexican ranking. The accumulated prize purse in all the events of this tournament was approximately 1,250,000 euros.
The Course Designer of the 5* was Peter Grant, Canadian international circuit manager who was accompanied by the Spanish Javier Trenor, who was present in more than one hundred international competitions, including Nations Cups and World Cups, in 2019 had already laid out the course of the LGCT Mexico, so it wasn’t new to him.
On Thursday at 9 a.m. this special event started with the victory of the Mexican rider Martina Franco riding Zenith M. She jumping without knocking down obstacles with a great time of 21″08, winning the Inaugural Trophy of the Longines Global Champions Tour Mexico.
The Mercedes Benz Trophy was the stellar event of Friday’s CSI5*A-mode timed event. In this demanding course of 12 obstacles and 15 efforts, only 16 riders were able to complete the course without faults. The podium was formed by the Dutch winner Jur Vrieling and his horse Fiumicino van de Kalevallei who achieved a time of 69″38. The second position was for the British Ben Maher, riding Faltic HB, with a time of 69″98 and the third place went to the German Christian Ahlmann, who has been twice Olympic medalist, riding his horse Mandato van de Neerheide.
The Mercedes Benz Trophy served as the first qualifier of the Global Champions League team event. The Shanghai Swans team, made up of German riders Katrin Eckermann and Christian Ahlmann, won the first stage of the GLC Mexico.
In the LGCT Grand Prix, which took place on Saturday afternoon, Ludger Beerbaum galloped at great speed on his mare Mila, who in an incredible time of 44″51 left the two Irishmen behind, thus winning the cup and a prize of 300,000 euros. A course full of emotions left Denis Lynch with Brooklyn Heights in second place in a time of 44″56 and, in third place, by only three hundredths of a second, was Michael G. Duffy riding Zilton SL Z with a time of 44″59.
At the end of the award ceremony, the legendary rider commented: “This is something I would really like to say, and I don’t say it every weekend, you can believe me. Without the atmosphere, without the crowd cheering all of us on, but especially me. Again… all of us, but also me… the foreign are here, this makes the show so unbelievably special and thank you every each and every one of you, thank you very very much.”
The equine atmosphere closed the edition with an intense tie-breaker in El Palacio de Hierro Trophy. In the 1.45 m. high jump, the podium was entirely Mexican. José Antonio Chedraui Eguía was the undisputed winner, with a clean ride in a time of 38″19, followed by Manuel González Dufrane with 38″41 and Luis Gerardo Castañeda Mercado, who finished his tiebreaker with a time of 38″89, was the third place.
Mexico presented an unforgettable equestrian event
Longines Global Champions Tour Mexico presented by GNP Mexico Jumping had a family atmosphere where Mexican culture, music, traditions, and gastronomy were present throughout the event.
More than 70 exhibitors offered equestrian products, fashion, gourmet food, high quality drinks with mixology, accessories and much more.
Hermès is an important part of the equestrian tradition, thus couldn’t miss an exclusive rider’s lounge, next to the preparation arena, so jockeys and VIP visitors could enjoy the equine trends of the Maison.
There was also a Micro-Museum where the state of Oaxaca and Grupo Modelo had ten monumental sculptures by master Amador Montes; some chaquira horses were inspired by this great equestrian circuit and were handmade by Huichol artisans from San Andres Cohamiata, Jalisco; an installation of Tonas and Nahuales (Oaxacan “alebrije”) by master Angelico Jimenez and an iconic Day of the Dead festival as a reference to Mexican traditions.
The children’s area was managed by Nickelodeon with various activities such as storytelling, crafts and rallies. El Palacio de Hierro motivated children to live a new experience with its climbing wall, and GNP didn’t forget the little horse lovers, offering them a beautiful carrousel.
Music is an important part of the history of this country and the great Mexican talents and the mariachi, who cheered up the riders, horses, and spectators, could not be missing.
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