Michael Whitaker finishes third in Shanghai

Harrie Smolders has won the Longines Global Champions Tour (GCT) in Shanghai – with Michael Whitaker taking third place.

Fast round

Eight riders jumped double clears to make it through to the jump-off in the $485,000 GCT Grand Prix – three of which were flying the flag for Britain.

Michael (Viking), Scott Brash (Hello M’Lady) and Jessica Mendoza (Spirit T) all jumped a third clear round, but weren’t quite quick enough to beat the Dutch rider and his fast 15-year-old bay mare Regina Z (33.57sec).

Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer came close to take second place (34.20sec), while Michael was just behind him to come third (34.99sec).

Olympic bronze medallist Kamal Bahamdan from Saudi Arabia was fourth (35.16sec), with Scott taking the fifth spot (36sec) and Jessica sixth (36.87).

Very special

“It’s a very special moment for me,” said Harrie, who celebrated his first GCT Grand Prix win. “To win at a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix with her is really great.”

Scott Brash remains at the top of series leaderboard, and is 10-points clear of Brazil’s Luciana Diniz in second place.

The tour now moves to Hamburg, Germany for the fifth leg of the championship (14-17 May)