Miami Beach, USA 3 – 5 April 2026
Source: https://www.gcglobalchampions.com/en-us/schedule
Well-established as one of the most unique and iconic destinations in the equestrian sport, the world’s premier show jumping series returns to the US continent bringing the highest level of sport to the world-famous Miami Beach on America’s East Coast.
2026 Global Champions League (GCL) of Miami Beach
The 2026 Global Champions League (GCL) of Miami Beach took place from April 3rd to April 5th.
Under the updated 2026 format, the GCL team competition was condensed into a high-intensity “Super Friday,” while the individual Grand Prix and supporting classes rounded out the weekend.
Friday, April 3: GCL Team Competition Day
This was the primary day for the Global Champions League, featuring both rounds of the team battle on the sands of South Beach.
| Time (EDT) | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 14:00 | CSI5 GCL Individual* | 1.60m Speed Class; acts as the individual qualifier for the Grand Prix. |
| 15:45 | GCL Round 1 | Team Competition (1.60m). Top 10 teams advance to the final round. |
| 18:10 | GCL Round 2 | The Final (1.55m). Madrid in Motion secured their win here with a double-clear performance. |
Saturday, April 4: Expansion & Ranking Classes
While the GCL team trophy was decided on Friday, Saturday focused on individual rankings and CSI2* competitions.
- 08:00 – 12:30: CSI2* Open Classes (1.20m to 1.40m).
- 14:20: CSI5 Two-Phase (1.45m)* – Presented by Techemet.
- 16:15: Prix Barnes (1.50m) – A major individual CSI5* jump-off class.
Sunday, April 5: The Grand Prix Finale
The final day focused on the individual crown for the world’s top riders.
- 10:00: CSI5* Speed Class (1.45m).
- 11:50: CSI2 Grand Prix (1.45m)* – The finale for the “invitational” category.
- 14:20: Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Miami Beach – The main event of the weekend, where the top individual riders from Friday’s qualifier competed for the season’s first Golden Ticket to the Riyadh Playoffs.
- 17:30: Final CSI2* Closing Class (1.30m).
Venue Information
The event was held at its signature location: Collins Park (between 21st and 22nd Street), with the arena built directly on the beach, just steps from the Atlantic Ocean.
Victor Bettendorf and the Madrid in Motion team secured a dominant victory at the 2026 Global Champions League (GCL) season opener in Miami Beach this past weekend (April 3–4).
It was a landmark win for the team, as they were the only squad to finish with a completely clean sheet (0 faults) across all rounds, navigating a high-pressure new format for the 20th anniversary year of the tour.
Key Highlights of the Win
- The Performance: Bettendorf sealed the victory in the second round riding Atchoum de la Roque Z. His clear round was the final piece of the puzzle after his teammate Maikel van der Vleuten delivered a flawless performance on Beauville Z N.O.P. * The Strategy: Under the new 2026 GCL rules, the first round is set at a demanding 1.60m, with only the top 10 teams advancing to a 1.55m second round. Madrid in Motion set the benchmark early with clear rounds from van der Vleuten (on Quastor vd Heffinck) and Jack Whitaker (on Izara des Dames) in the opening stage.
- The Pressure: Bettendorf admitted to feeling the heat from team manager Eric van der Vleuten to keep the momentum going after Maikel’s clear. He noted that while his horse has “a bit of character,” its quality allowed them to “save the victory” and claim the maximum championship points for Stage 1.
Final Standings (Miami Beach)
| Rank | Team | Total Faults | Total Time |
| 1st | Madrid in Motion | 0 | 145.25s |
| 2nd | Valkenswaard United | 4 | 141.55s |
| 3rd | Cairo Pharaohs | 4 | 150.35s |
The tour now moves to Mexico City for the second stage on April 17. It’s a massive start for Bettendorf, especially following his historic win at the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Riyadh late last year.
Victor Bettendorf, member of Team Luxembourg
The Comité Olympique et Sportif Luxembourgeois (COSL) is the National Olympic Committee for Luxembourg, responsible for organizing the nation’s participation in Olympic Games and supporting elite athletes under the banner Team Lëtzebuerg.
Victor Bettendorf (born October 19, 1990) is a Luxembourgish show jumper who has rapidly ascended to the top tier of the sport, known for his “less is more” philosophy and remarkable speed in jump-offs.
Below is an overview of his life and career highlights.
Early Life & Background
- Equestrian Roots: Born in Luxembourg into a family of breeders and riders. His father is a veterinarian and breeder, and his mother ran a riding school. Both his sister, Charlotte, and brother, Basile, are also competitive riders.+2
- Initial Interests: Interestingly, his first passion was not horses but motocross. However, the competitive nature of show jumping eventually won him over, and he began competing in pony classes at the European level.+1
- Professional Move: At 24, he moved to Germany to further his career before eventually settling in Normandy, France. He is married to French rider Adeline Hécart, and they are based at the renowned Haras de la Roque.
Career Highlights & Major Wins
Bettendorf’s career saw an explosive rise between 2022 and 2026, transitioning from a prolific winner of smaller classes to a global Grand Prix star.
- The 54-Win Season (2022): Victor became a sensation by recording 54 international victories in a single year, one of the highest tallies in modern show jumping history.
- Grand Prix of Paris (2023): He achieved a career-defining win in the Saut Hermès Grand Prix aboard Mr. Tac, defeating many of the world’s highest-ranked riders.
- LGCT Super Grand Prix Champion (2024): In one of the most prestigious moments of his career, he won the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in Riyadh riding Foxy de la Roque, securing a prize of over €1.2 million.
- GCL Miami Beach Victory (2026): Most recently, he anchored the Madrid in Motion team to victory at the 20th Anniversary season opener in Miami Beach, delivering a crucial clear round on Atchoum de la Roque Z.
Riding Style & Philosophy
Bettendorf is highly respected for his “Natural Horsemanship” approach, which often stands out in the high-tech world of five-star jumping:
- Simplicity: He frequently rides his horses without shoes (barefoot), without nosebands, and with very simple bits.
- Speed: He is widely considered one of the fastest riders in the world today. His ability to take tight turns and maintain a high gallop without losing the horse’s balance makes him a formidable opponent in any jump-off.
Top Horses
| Horse | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|
| Foxy de la Roque | Winner of the 2024 LGCT Super Grand Prix. |
| Mr. Tac | Winner of the 5* Grand Prix of Paris (Saut Hermès). |
| Doha de Riverland | Multiple CSI5* wins, including the 2025 London International Horse Show. |
| Atchoum de la Roque Z | Secured the 2026 GCL Miami Beach team win. |
