Press release GCL – With the inaugural Global Champions League team competition just two days away, anticipation is growing as the first team photo of Miami Glory can be exclusively revealed. Georgina Bloomberg (USA), Scott Brash (GBR), Kent Farrington (USA), Kimberly Prince (USA) and Jessica Mendoza (GBR) of home team Miami Glory hit the stunning South Florida sands. Showcasing their new team polo shirts and colours, the five teammates posed next to the iconic Miami Beach lifeguard hut ahead of the debut Global Champions League event this Sunday 10th April.
Speaking about the revolutionary new format, leading US rider Kent Farrington said: ‘it’s fun to ride with your friends. We’re used to being fierce competitors and now we get to ride on the same team. It’s top level sport and it’s high prize money. For the fans I think they’re seeing the sport at its highest level.” Team mate and World Number 3 Scott Brash (GBR) agreed: “I think the new Global Champions League is going to revolutionise the sport – it’s going to be very exciting, and very interesting. We’re all looking forward to it.”
Team owner and rider Georgina Bloomberg (USA) of the Miami Glory, who will compete this weekend at their home event, spoke of the new competition and the fantastic addition it brings to the sport: “Global Champions League is a great concept – it will be something new to add to the sport of showjumping.”
There is fierce competition and rivalries building up and down the grid of world class teams. Quentin Judge (USA), who will compete for the Cascais Charms alongside Pilar Lucrecia Cordon (ESP) said” “This week [the team members] are having a little camaraderie ready for Sunday. It’s going to be really exciting for everyone, it’s a different aspect of the sport.” Rome Gladiator rider Laura Kraut (USA) said: “We’re excited to get it up and rolling, it’s the first ever event. It’ll be fun that it’s the first one here in the United States.”
Earlier today the starting order for the teams was decided by a special draw ahead of Sunday’s competition. The teams were selected at random and paired with a number, also selected at random, to define the starting order for the event. The team will decide which rider will compete first or second within each individual team. GCL Judge Jean-Loup Caplain was on hand to relay the starting order, with riders, managers and members of the press watching on.
The full team starting order is as follows:
1. Antwerp Diamonds
2. Cascais Charms
3. Monaco Aces
4. Shanghai Swans
5. Miami Glory
6. Valkenswaard United
7. Doha Fursan Qatar
8. Vienna Eagles
9. Madrid in Motion
10.Paris Jets
11.Rome Gladiators
12.Cannes Stars
The debut Global Champions League event will take place this Sunday at 11:30 local time, with free entry for all the public. The full competition will be streamed live via the new Global Champions League website here. For the full rider list, please click here.
Source: Press release GCL
