Harrie Smolders, the most consistent GCT GP rider

The Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) sets the stage for the world's best riders. Besides the team competition (Global Champions League), there is also the individual competition. This year, 15 GCT competitions were held at beautiful and unique locations around the world, such as the league in Paris which is held in the shadows of the Eiffel Tower. This past weekend the last GCT competition of the season took place in Samorin, Slovakia where the GCT winner was announced. Hippomundo looked at the performance of the horses and riders who took part in the competition in a slightly different way and listed them for you.

Most clear rounds in the GPs

Riders must qualify to compete in the Grand Prix. The 35 best competitors of the second round of the Global Champions League go through to the Grand Prix.

Of the 15 GCT competitions, two horses managed to complete the Grand Prix course without incurring penalties a total of four times. Harrie Smolders’ mount Monaco was the first to achieve this. Monaco is a son of Cassini II out of a mother by Contender. During the Grand Prix of Hamburg the breeding product of Ralf Lütje was the only one who finished clear within the time allowed and therefore claimed victory. This combination also finished third in the Grand Prix of Rome week one, fourth in the Grand Prix of St Tropez and fifth in the GP of Samorin week two. Aboard Dolinn N.O.P., Harrie Smolders also rode a clear round in the Grand Prix of Valkenswaard. This adds up to five clear rounds in GCT Grand Prix for Harrie Smolders, which makes him the most consistent rider of this GCT season. Not only did Smolders ride the most clear rounds, he was also the rider to have the most top five finishes. With these great performances Smolders finished sixth in the overall ranking.

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Article written by Kim Falkena