Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

David Will (GER) and the 11-year-old gelding My Prins van Dorperheide (Zilverstar T x Winningmood) won Sunday's CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Mexico City presented by GNP Seguros. Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) and H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo's Hallo) missed out on the victory by just 0.41 seconds, while Laura Kraut (USA) and Baloutinue (Balou du Rouet x Landor S) rounded off the podium in third.

Making history, David Will claimed his first ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix win against an impressive line-up. With no less than eleven Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix winners in the ranks, the tightly fought competition had equine and sporting fans alike on the edge of their seats.

An ecstatic and emotional David said: “My horse made it easy for me today, he jumped unbelievable today in front of this incredible crowd. They were cheering everyone on! The horse already deserved to win last week in Miami, but I made a mistake to the last fence in the jump-off so I am thrilled I made up for it today. It is just so fun and a pleasure to ride here. Every time I come here I absolutely enjoy it, the show is fantastic, the whole organization, the crowd, everything around it, the atmosphere is just unbelievable.”

With nine of the 37 starters qualified for the jump-off, the first three riders out, Hillary Scott (AUS), Abdel Saïd (BEL) and Michael Pender (IRL) all had a rail each, and it was Pieter Devos (BEL) and MoM’s Toupie de La Roque (Kannan x Nabab de Reve), that posted the first clear in 46.88 seconds – setting the standard for the remaining five combinations.

David Will and My Prins van Dorperhide entered the ring determined to do one better than last week’s competition in Miami Beach and leave all fences standing. Setting off in a blistering pace, the pair took the lead in a time of 43.16 seconds, slicing a whole 3.72 seconds off Devos' time.

Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) and Beauville Z N.O.P (Bustique x Jumpy des Fontaines) were next to take to the jump-off course, but an unfortunate four faults left the duo in sixth place, with the door open for the final three to go.

Podium pro Laura Kraut and her impressive Baloutinue entered the arena determined, but the pair galloped through the finish line not quite able to catch Will, with 1.1 seconds the difference between their times.

While second last to go Eugenio Garza Perez (MEX) and Contago (Cornet Obolensky x Cassini II) had two down with the best time of the day – 43 seconds – it was Malin Baryard-Johnsson and H&M Indiana that came the closest to Will, with an explosive clear in a time of 43.57 seconds which secured them second place.

Picking up the third golden ticket for the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs in November, Will explained: “It is a great feeling to have secured the spot so early in the season. It is a show everyone wants to go to."