Ben Maher and Explosion W are victorious in first GCL competition Shanghai

A few moments ago, the result of the first GCL competition at LGCT Shanghai became official. This CSI5* 1,50m/1,60m brought a glorious victory for Britain's Ben Maher and his awe-inspiring Explosion W (Chacco Blue). The set was the first to appear in the arena, and they immediately set the fast time of 68,62 seconds. Eventually, no other rider was able to beat that result, and that meant a first place for Maher and his Dutch-bred Explosion. Roger Yves 'Bosty' Bost followed two seconds later with his Kannan-stallion Sunshine du Phare. He stayed out of reach for Belgium's Jérôme Guery and Garfield de Tiji des Templiers (Quasimodo Z).

Ludger Beerbaum, who has been back in the arena for a few weeks now after a bad fall in Mechelen at the end of last year, proved himself fully recovered and jumped his fifteen-year-old Holstein mare Chiara (Contender) to the fourth place for Germany. The top five ended the way it started; with a British rider. In this case, that was Michael Whitaker with the Jacomar-offspring Viking. In 75,06 seconds, they finished fifth.

The results of the teamranking after this first round are quite interesting. The London Knights, made up of Ben Maher with Explosion W and Emily Moffitt with Hilfiger vd Olmenhoeve, are in first place with 0 penalties and 144,7 seconds. The Berlin Eagles of Christian Kukuk and Ludger Beerbaum come in second place with a clear sheet and 153,59 seconds. Chantilly Pegasus follows with Roger Yves Bost and Dayro Arroyave in third place with four penalties.

Click here for the complete result.

Click here for the team ranking.