{"id":48487,"date":"2026-04-04T08:55:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T06:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/?p=48487"},"modified":"2026-04-04T09:07:54","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T07:07:54","slug":"gcl-miami-beach-2026-madrid-in-motion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/en\/news\/2026\/04\/04\/gcl-miami-beach-2026-madrid-in-motion\/","title":{"rendered":"Madrid in Motion full throttle: Miami reignites the GCL and sets the tone"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Back to the roots, back to the show. Ten years after its debut in Miami Beach, the Global Champions League has relaunched its 2026 season where it all began. A new format, maximum tension from the very first round, and one team that has already made its mark: Madrid in Motion. Clean. Clinical. Relentless. The tone is set.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Miami, a decade later and a grand return<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The setting is almost too perfect. The Atlantic as a backdrop, white sand, and an electric atmosphere to celebrate a double anniversary: 10 years of the GCL and 20 years of the Longines Global Champions Tour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After a year away, Miami Beach returns to the circuit\u2014and not just as a side act. Here, in 2016, the team league redefined modern show jumping. Ten years later, it comes back with a promise: to go even faster. Promise kept.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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New format, immediate pressure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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2026 marks a turning point. No more feeling-out rounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Round 1 at 1,60 m<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Only the top 10 qualify<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
Round 2 at 1.55 m in knockout mode<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The result: a tense, compact competition with no safety net. From the very first fence, you're under pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The big teams had to fire their best shots right away, and some paid the price: Shanghai Swans, Riesenbeck International, and Doha Falcons were eliminated before even reaching the final round. Welcome to the accelerated version of the GCL.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Madrid in Motion, in boss mode<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In this controlled chaos, one team got everything right. Very right.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Zero faults, two riders in total control, and a perfectly executed strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maikel van der Vleuten<\/strong>\u00a0(Beauville Z N.O.P.<\/strong>) (the only rider to deliver a double clear) and\u00a0Victor Bettendorf<\/strong>\u00a0(Atchoum de la Roque Z<\/strong>) sealed the deal in round two. Jack Whitaker<\/strong> with Izara des Dames<\/strong> had already produced a clear round in the first leg. No debate. No hesitation. A flawless 100%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A perfect scorecard on the sands of Miami.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Dutch rider summed it up bluntly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u00ab We can be very proud. It\u2019s the best way to start the season. <\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Same tone from Bettendorf, mixing clarity and relief:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u00ab We knew we needed two clear rounds. We did the job. <\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Simple. Efficient. Winning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Valkenswaard United still in the game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Behind them, defending champions Valkenswaard United<\/strong> are far from gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edwina Tops-Alexander<\/strong> and Gilles Thomas<\/strong> delivered two double clears under pressure, securing a strong second place. No fireworks\u2014just solid, serious performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They\u2019ll be there all season. As usual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Cairo Pharos, a striking debut<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Third place and an immediate statement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
New team\u00a0Cairo Pharos<\/strong>\u00a0arrives with confidence.\u00a0Annelies Vorsselmans<\/strong>\u00a0with the highly effective VDL Kelton<\/strong> and\u00a0Pim Mulder<\/strong>\u00a0(Viktor Z<\/strong>) produced two clear rounds when it mattered most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mulder, almost surprised himself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u00ab I asked if I really had to go again\u2026 but the team gave me confidence. <\/em>\u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Result: an instant podium. Beginner\u2019s luck or real contender? Time will tell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Derri\u00e8re, \u00e7a secoue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The new format hasn\u2019t just reshuffled the deck, it has compressed the field. Behind the top three, every team walked a tightrope between time management and constant risk-taking. Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames delivered one of the sharpest performances of the weekend: two ultra-fast, perfectly controlled rounds, but with penalties already on the board, they narrowly missed the podium.\nA similar story for the Scandinavian Vikings: solid, but never fully unleashed, stuck in that in-between zone where even the smallest hesitation proves costly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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A season launched at full speed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This opening act is no appetizer. It\u2019s a warning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Madrid in Motion takes the lead. Valkenswaard stays close behind. And outsiders like Cairo Pharos are already shaking up the hierarchy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The 2026 GCL season is underway and it has no intention of slowing down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next stop:\u00a0Mexico City<\/strong>, April 17. A complete change of scenery, moving from sand to the grass of Campo Marte. A new test, a new battle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miami didn\u2019t just relaunch the season, it redefined the tempo. And in this relentless sprint, Madrid already has a head start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Global](\"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/20758-van-der-Vleuten-Maikel-CSI5-Beauville-Z-N.O.P._Madrid-In-Motion_lgct_miami_2026_friday_GCL_Teams_2nd_round-0128-2.jpg\")
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