Press release from Global Champions League, edited by World of Showjumping

After a one-year hiatus, the Global Champions League (GCL) returned to the shores of Miami Beach (USA), where it all began in 2016. A decade on, the world’s premier team series launched its 10th season in fitting style, alongside the 20th anniversary year of the Longines Global Champions Tour - two decades of innovation, and ten years of redefining team competition at the very highest level.

And from the very first round, one message rang clear - Madrid in Motion mean business in 2026. Delivering a composed, strategic and ultimately flawless performance, Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) on Beauville Z N.O.P. (Bustique x Jumpy des Fontaines) and Quastor vd Heffinck (Rock’N Roll Semilly x Contact vd Heffinck) alongside Jack Whitaker (GBR) on Izara des Dames (Emerald x Calvaro F.C.) as well as Victor Bettendorf (LUX aboard Atchoum de La Roque Z (Armitages Boy x Bentley vd Heffinck) set the benchmark early, combining experience, horsepower and precision to take the first win of the season on the Miami sand and claim maximum points from stage 1.

With a revised format introduced for 2026, the pressure was on from the outset. Teams were required to field their strongest combinations early, with round 1 now set at 1.60m, before only the top 10 teams progressed to round 2 at 1.55m. The result was a high-stakes, knockout-style showdown designed to elevate intensity, sharpen strategy and deliver a more engaging, fast-paced competition for fans and riders alike.

As Madrid in Motion’s Maikel van der Vleuten reflected: “Today’s performance - I think we can be very proud of our riders, our horses, and all the people involved who helped us to this victory. It’s a fantastic feeling to start the season with a win, and we’re very happy with that.”

Teammate Victor Bettendorf added: “We said we just needed two clears and then we’d be fine. We talked a bit about strategy - not to be too slow in case we had one down - and I think we did a perfect job today. All the riders were amazing, the horses as well, so thank you to the whole team. It’s great to be part of that adventure.”

Finishing just behind them, Valkenswaard United – presented by Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) on Cydello (Cascadello x Forsyth FRH) and Fellow Castlefield (Je T’Aime Flamenco x Twister) alongside Gilles Thomas (BEL) aboard Qiara de Kalvarie (Sea Coast Don’t Touch Tiji Hero x Zandor Z) and Qalista DN (Emerald x Landetto) – proved they remain a dominant force following their overall-winning season of 2025. With a polished and consistent performance, they secured second place on the Miami sand.

Speaking after the class, Edwina Tops-Alexander said: “The team and the horses were amazing - really consistent and in great shape. We just tried to jump quick, clear rounds, and we were quick enough as well because we didn’t want to take any risk if we had another one down. We’re really happy.”

Rounding out the podium, new team Cairo Pharos – fielding Annelies Vorsselmans (BEL) on VDL Kelton (Bubalu Z x Corland) and Trezeguet (Turmalin x Chairman Ls La Silla) alongside Pim Mulder (NED) on Viktor Z (Verdi TN x Nissan Caretano Z) and Nayel Nassar (EGY) aboard Orphea HQ (Emerald x Epleaser van’t Heike) – made an immediate statement in their debut GCL season. Delivering a confident and cohesive performance, they secured third place and signalled their arrival as serious contenders.