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Devos and her 11-year-old Belgian mount Claire Z triumphed in an eight-rider barrage, producing a faultless run 0.04 seconds faster than former LGCT general Harrie Smolders and Don VHP Z.
"It was a great sport today, I'm so happy with the way my mare jumped, she made it clear this week," said Devos, who won her first LGCT Grand Prix in 2014 at the first edition in Shanghai.
His victory earned him a ticket to the lucrative playoffs of GC Prague, at the end of the season.
Gates, Springsteen
Observed by rockstar Bruce Springsteen and billionaire Microsoft, Bill Gates, the tight course of the compact and sunny Miami Beach arena saw seven riders retire in the first round, while only three were cleared at the crash by a hot and humid day.
"It was a tough sport, it was the highest level of sport, but that's normal, it's the Global Champions Tour, the best runners in the world," said Devos. "It was difficult, it was very tricky to jump, faults everywhere.That's why I was so happy with my mare, Claire, she jumped unbelievably."
The Global Champions Tour, the heavier obstacle jumping circuit, consists of a record 20 stops in 2019, including new venues in New York, Montreal and Stockholm. The season will end with the Prague GC playoffs on November 21st and 24th.
Jump from
Two-time winners in Miami Beach, Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia started the shootout with a quick 37.38-second run, but her California horse hit a rail coming off the double.
Tops-Alexander, a two-time overall winner, observed the following four drivers: Olivier Philippaerts, of Belgium, Daniel Deusser and Christian Ahlmann, of Germany, and the Englishman Scott Brash, all failed.
Devos entered the arena as the sixth rider knowing that a free lap would guarantee him a spot on the podium. He skillfully guided his mare on the course, making a tight turn in the last jump to finish at the same time as Tops-Alexander, but taking the lead since he did not make any mistakes.
The seventh rider, Sweden's Malin Baryard-Johnsson, also completed a no-fault lap with H & M Indiana, but finished with a 1.1-second lead over Devos, finishing third.
The last runner, the experienced Smolders of the Netherlands, spoil the party for Devos? Smolders outshot Devos for most of his run, but Don VHP Z finished second in 37.42 seconds as he took a wider bend as the last jump approached.
"Considering that the posts fell a lot, I may not have taken all the risks, but I knew that Harrie was also a very fast candidate after me," said Devos. "It was really until the end that I was a little stressed to be second, but it worked and I am super happy."
Azure waters
The picturesque landscapes of the Miami Beach course, built against the backdrop of the azure waters of the Atlantic Ocean, were an inspiration to Devos, who had already ridden the podium twice in Florida's seaside resort.
"On the beach here, I'm always happy, so I'm very happy to come back every time," said Devos, who now leads the LGCT with 88 points, five points ahead of Deusser. and 16 points ahead of Smolders. .
"It gives me a great feeling, when you enter the ring here, you see the sea, I do not know what it is, but it gives me a lot of luck here."
Global Champions League
Earlier in the day, the team event of the Global Champions League failed after no team managed to produce a double in the first round on Thursday, resulting in the elimination of the New York Empire.
After the Shanghai Swans swept the first two rounds of the GCL, the Miami Celtics won a sensational home win. Irish duo Shane Breen and Michael Duffy produced a double on Saturday to finish with six penalties.
"We had ups and downs, and it's nice to come home," said Duffy at a news conference.
When asked when he felt the pressure after his team mate and friend cleared up, Duffy said, "The pressure is for the tires."
The Pirates of Saint-Tropez, along with Athina Onbadis of Greece and Devos, were in second place with a total of seven penalties, while Emil Hallundbaek of Denmark and Baryard-Johnsson kicked off to their new partnership with the Berlin Eagles with a third place, with eight penalties. .
The Celtics, who were fourth after the first round, took third overall with 59 points, just one behind the St Tropez Pirates. The swans, winners in Doha and Mexico City, remain at the top of the overall standings with 79 points.
After Doha, Mexico Ciy and Miami Beach, the Global Champions Tour is now heading to Asia, with Shanghai hosting the fourth leg from May 3rd to May 5th.
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