{"id":48499,"date":"2026-04-06T09:31:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T07:31:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/?p=48499"},"modified":"2026-04-06T19:23:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T17:23:31","slug":"eckermann-miami-lgct-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sohorse.eu\/en\/news\/2026\/04\/06\/eckermann-miami-lgct-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Queen of the Sands: Eckermann Reclaims the Crown in Miami"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The true launch of the 2026 Global Champions Tour didn\u2019t take place where it was expected. Exit Doha, initially planned as the venue but abruptly halted due to military tensions in the region. Instead, the season finally kicked off on the warm sands of Miami Beach. And in this postcard-perfect setting, there was only one queen: Katrin Eckermann. The German rider claimed her third title here, after 2022 and 2023, already placing a firm hand on the championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


A return after a year\u2019s absence, the circuit\u2019s 20th anniversary, 55 riders at the start\u2026 and an arena wedged between VIP stands and the waves of the Atlantic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

An opening that smells of hot sand and a serious showdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eckermann, self-proclaimed (and undisputed) queen<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In Miami Beach, some build sandcastles. Katrin Eckermann builds trophy stacks. Katrin Eckermann<\/strong>, builds trophy stacks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Already a two-time winner here, the German did it again with Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS<\/strong> (Diarado's Boy x Chacco Blue), in precise style. The result: a third title that leaves no room for debate\u2014Miami Beach is her kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00ab Welcome to Miami! I\u2019m incredibly proud of her, she jumped amazingly. \u00bb<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

No calculations. Just feeling and total trust in her mare. And it shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"LGCT<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tricky course, no room for half-measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Course designer Peter Grant had prepared a spicy menu:
tight lines, delicate obstacles, a rhythm that shatters dreams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Out of 37 starters, only 13 found the key.
D\u00e8s le d\u00e9but, le ton est donn\u00e9 : ici, ce n\u2019est pas la vitesse qui fait la loi, c\u2019est la pr\u00e9cision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top riders fell, rails flew. Miami delivered the blows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A tense jump-off, Eckermann crushes the field<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The jump-off started at full throttle. Some tried, many burned out.
Some tried, many burned out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Maikel van der Vleuten<\/strong> set an initial solid time (46.85)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Piergiorgio Bucci<\/strong> refined it further (46.06)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Then Eckermann<\/strong> entered the arena.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    And that was it.\n44.15 seconds.
    Two seconds ahead.\nA masterclass.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Eckermann<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n