If there is one international tournament that is synonymous with pure joie de vivre, warm hospitality, a zest for life and the presentation of all the culinary delights the country has to offer, then for many participants in the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League it is the annual stage in Mexico City.

After the tournaments in Doha and Miami Beach, the horses are ridden here on a large grass arena, Campo Marte, which itself hosted the 1968 Summer Olympics. A wealth of equestrian knowledge is gathered here, the audience in the packed stands knows its way around - and the conditions are exceptionally good. The large, colorful sombreros worn by the winners at the awards ceremony add to the local color. Everyone joins in, everyone celebrates and enjoys the high esteem in which they are held.

Last year, the riders of Team Riesenbeck International had the winning hats on, but this weekend the conditions were completely different: as Eoin McMahon is still recovering from the after-effects of an elbow operation, the team took the option of bringing in a temporary replacement rider. Fortunately, Richard Vogel was available. The former Beerbaum Stables employee is familiar with the team's requirements and the processes involved in training and competitions. He is currently the most successful German show jumper in the Longines World Ranking.

Philipp Schulze Topphoff and Richard Vogel formed the Münsterland team in Mexico. Philipp Schulze Topphoff started round one with Carla NRW. The mare had a slight fault at jump six and a clear down at the penultimate jump. Vogel produced a fast round with Cydello, but he also picked up a pole in a combination. Despite the dicey situation, this was no reason to lose his nerve.

Round two went much better: Carla had another knockdown, but Richard Vogel swapped Cydello for Capano Baloubet and delivered the clear round he had hoped for.

The team even worked their way up to fourth place. The Prague Lions won ahead of New York Empire and the Monaco Aces. Riesenbeck International is now in fourth place in the rankings after three of 15 legs.

 Ludger Beerbaum commented on the performances in Mexico City: "Great catch-up after a very strong second round. A big thank you to Richard Vogel, who really helped us to make up some ground in the overall standings with his two rounds!"

All results at: www. results.hippodata.de/2024/2411/docs/r_gcl_r2.pdf

www. results.hippodata.de/2024/2411/docs/gcl_ranking_mexico-city_2024.pdf