April 14, 2024 
Fernando Martinez Sommer had the crowd on the edge of their seats in Mexico City.
One of only two Mexican riders to compete in the third leg of the 2024 Global Champions League tour on Saturday, he had both home field advantage and an ecstatic home crowd behind him.
And Martinez Sommer delivered.
Producing two foot perfect rounds on longtime partner Lady van de Haarterhoeve, he was the only rider to jump double clear on the day over Peter Grant’s challenging 1.55m–1.60m tracks, paving the way to victory for Prague Lions.
“It’s something really special to be at home,” said Martinez. “For me, it’s always a pleasure to represent Prague Lions, we have such a good riders that I always want to deliver my best. And today finally became something really good in my home. So I’m very, very delighted.”
The only person possibly more delighted than Martinez? His grandmother.
“I’m so happy,” gushed Martinez’s abuela in broken English during the post-class interview. “My heart is This Big.”
Strategy reigns supreme in the GCL format. Teams have the option of switching out both riders and horses over the two-round, two-pairs per team event.
Prague Lions used the same two horses and riders throughout, tapping Martinez Sommer, 34, and Lady van de Haarterhoeve and U25 rider Thibeau Spits and Impress-K van ‘t Kattenheye Z to answer the call.
In the first round, only Rome Gladiators, winners of last week’s GCL Miami, and Prague Lions managed to produce a pair of clears.
Fortunes turned in round two, however. A shock elimination by Michael Duffy and Claptonn Mouche—a pair that won their first five star Grand Prix just one week ago in Miami—put paid to the Rome Gladiators bid.
The final team to return, a double clear from Martinez Sommer and 13-year-old BWP mare Lady van de Haarterhoeve gave Spits two rails in hand. A early four fautls at fence two had the crowd gasping, but the pair maintained form to finish on a single time fault to clinch the win.
“I knew Fernando was really motivated, so I just couldn’t let him down. It’s just amazing… really, it’s unbelievable,” said Spits, noting that Mexican crowd helped energize his black stallion.
“I felt a little bit that [Impress was] struggling with the heat, he felt a little bit quiet. Luckily, Fernando managed to do a clear round. With the crowd [roaring], it gave a bit of adrenaline for Impress so that I think that gave him a bit of a boost.
“I must say it feels really good. He has all the scope of the world. So it’s amazing to have a horse like him.”
The victory has set the stage for a Prague Lions comeback story.
The team has consistently finished in the top 10 during the past two GCL seasons, but struggled to make the podium last year. In 2022, they won three legs—St Tropez, Miami and Riyadh—but haven’t repeated the feat since. Last season, they logged just two podium finishes, a second in Miami and third in Riyadh.
Now three legs into the 2024 season, their fortunes appear to be changing.
Prague Lions currently top the 2024 Championship standings with a commanding 12-point lead, following their second place finish in Miami last week and seventh in Doha in March.
“I think last week already was a bit, above expectations. And this week is even better,” said Spits. “So I think our trip to [North] America has been unbelievable. It’s been amazing here.”
Cannes Stars slip into second in the standings on 58 points. The home team Mexico Amigos stay in third place on 57 points.
The GCL next heads to Shanghai, May 3–5.
