Who are the Combinations to Catch at LGCT Madrid?
Which combinations will be competing at the first European-based leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour in Madrid this weekend and who are the favourites?
The Longines Global Champions Tour begins its first European event of the season this weekend at the esteemed Club de Campo in Madrid. As competitors gather on the beautiful grass field, which standout horse and rider pairs should you keep a close eye on?
The Favorite: Simon Delestre & Cayman Jolly Jumper
The highest-rated horse in the LGCT field in Madrid this weekend is none other than the current leading 11-year-old in the world. Cayman Jolly Jumper has consistently delivered impressive performances at a high level and now boasts an Elo rating of 770. As the youngest horse in the top 10 highest-rated horses worldwide, Cayman Jolly Jumper maintains an 80% clear rate at 4* and 5* shows so far in 2023.
Hometown Hero: Eduardo Alvarez Aznar & Bentley de Sury
With an Elo rating of 710, Bentley de Sury is the highest-rated Spanish horse in the competition. In their last appearance at the five-star level, this duo secured a second-place finish in the challenging LGCT Grand Prix of Miami Beach. This weekend, the hometown pair is sure to be particularly motivated to repeat or surpass that performance in front of the home crowd.
One to Watch: Pieter Devos & MoM's Toupie de la Roque
This pair has made a significant impact in the 2023 season. MoM's Toupie de la Roque is the fourth-highest-rated horse competing in Madrid this weekend with an Elo rating of 751. They have already tackled nine 5* 160 classes and, thanks to seven clear rounds, maintain an impressive 77.8% clear rate at that level. Their performance surpasses the average for those courses, earning them a 4.3 on the CAS metric, better than any of their peers. Considering the current form of this duo, it would be unwise to overlook them.