It was a home win for the USA in the featured class of the day on Thursday, April 2 during the Global Champions Tour in Miami, Florida.
In the competition for the Artisan Farms Trophy, Hardin Towell and Cadence, owned by Jennifer Gates, were just too fast for the rest of the combinations who took to the testing Uliano Vezzani course. The pair stopped the clock at a lightening 37.15 seconds, while second place went to Steve Guerdat and Concetto Son in 38.25 seconds, with third to Maikel van der Vleuten and VDL Groep Arera C in 38.71 seconds.
The American really showed just how fast he could be to beat two of the quickest European riders on the circuit!
The first round of the class was a deceptively testing course with no real bogey fences, though a smattering of tricky rails caught out many. Of the 56 starters, 13 jumped clear in the stunning arena, watched closely by the crowds drawn to the to see these fantastic riders in action.
The jump-off course offered some daring turn-backs and risky gallops but Hardin never faltered, taking a commanding win.
With tomorrow's American Invitational and Saturday's Longines Global Champions Tour of Miami Beach Grand Prix still to come, the home team are on flying form and we could well see another big U.S. victory over the coming days.
Special thanks to Phelps Media Group, Inc., for the press release.
Class 05: Miami Beach 2015 CSI5* 1.50m
RK CNR Rider/Horse EUR USD Round A Jump-Off Time
1 109 Jack Towell Cadence 25,594 27,885 0.00 0.00 37.15
2 45 Steve Guerdat Concetto Son 15,512 16,900 0.00 0.00 38.25
3 37 Maikel van der VleutenVDL Groep Arera C 11,634 12,675 0.00 0.00 38.71
4 164 Emanuel Andrade Hardrock Z 7,756 8,450 0.00 0.00 40.35
5 23 Simon Delestre Chesall 4,653 5,070 0.00 0.00 41.89
6 41 Bassem Hassan MohammedPalloubet D Halong 3,490 3,803 0.00 0.00 42.97
7 13 Karim El Zoghby Amelia 2,327 2,535 0.00 4.00 36.95
8 10 Marlon Módolo Zanotelli Zerlin M 1,939 2,113 0.00 4.00 37.96
9 139 Laura Kraut Nouvelle 1,551 1,690 0.00 4.00 41.25
10 28 Michael Whitaker Valentin R 1,551 1,690 0.00 4.00 42.17