Scott Brash and Ursula power to victory in Global Champions Tour

Photo: LGCT / Stefano Grasso

Scott Brash and his amazing 17-year-old mare Ursula XII have won the inaugural Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix in Mexico.

‘Ecstatic’

The two-time LGCT Champion blew the competition out of the water, beating Germany’s Daniel Deusser into second place by almost two seconds.

“I’m ecstatic about this win,” said Scott. “Ursula is 17 and this win means a lot to us all.”

Scott revealed this could be Ursula’s last season, but said she was feeling “so great” there will be more major shows to come.

A total of eight riders made it though to the jump-off out of a world-class field of 33. The first clear came from Italy’s Alberto Zorzi and Contanga in a time 40.37sec. He was then knocked into second place by Daniel Deusser with Tobago Z, who shaved six tenths of a second of Alberto’s time, making 40.31sec the new standard.

‘Very competitive’

Scott was fourth in and his big-striding mare powered around the vast arena, taking a stride out over the last, to take the title in a fast time of 38.65sec.

Canadian Olympic gold medallist Eric Lamaze came close to knocking Scott off the top spot, as he produced a faster time of 37.52secs, but rolled the final fence.

“This ring was fantastic for Ursula as I could really play to her strength, which is her stride,” said Scott. “But it was still a very competitive jump-off and we did our best.”

“I definitely didn’t think I’d won until Eric Lamaze and Gerco Schroder had been, because they’re so fast. I knew it wasn’t over till the last one went in.”

New concept

Scott is the first athlete to qualify for the new Longines Global Champions Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Play Offs in December. In this new competition, all riders who win a LGCT Grand Prix in 2018 are eligible to compete for further prize money.

”I’m delighted to be in the new Super Grand Prix,” said Scott. “It’s a fantastic competition for us riders to have and to aim for. I think it’s going to be really exciting in Prague, a totally new concept and the first time they go indoors.”