Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

Friday's highlight at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Mexico City was the €165,000 CSI5* 1.55m Trofeo Banorte, where Richard Vogel (GER) and Cydello (Cascadello x Forsyth FRH) went out on top. This was Vogel's first show back on the tour after flying into Mexico City to replace Eion McMahon on the GCL team Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian, as the Irish rider is out with an injury.

Early to go in a jump-off of thirteen, Vogel smashed pathfinder Ben Maher (GBR) and Exit Remo’s (San Remo x Ferro) time by just under half a second. Third place was secured by Katrin Eckermann (GER) onboard Chao Lee (Comme Il Faut x Chacco-Blue) in 37.34 seconds, while Daniel Deusser (GER) and Otello de Guldenboom (Tobago Z x Caretino) finished fourth in 37.47, followed by Gilles Thomas (BEL) on Elfra van Beek Z (El Salvador x Vagabond de La Pomme) in fifth in 39.27.

Maher was first to go in the jump-off, and he set the pace taking strides out where possible. With a decision to be made from jumps 1-2, Maher proved a direct nine strides was achievable. Vogel, who had just enough time to watch Maher’s round during his warm-up, committed early. “I saw Ben doing that and I thought my horse has a big stride, he is tiny but he has a big stride, a big heart and a big motivation too, so I thought if I have a good start I could get there with nine. My plan was to do one more to the white vertical, then bend it in order to be able to turn tight enough, which Cydello, my horse, did brilliantly,” Vogel said.

"The Mexican people are so much behind the spot and behind the horses. It’s an unbelievable atmosphere and it really pushes you, so for us as the riders it’s a great environment here," Vogel said.