THE Netherlands’ Sanne Thijssen scored the biggest win of her career last Saturday night when she landed a dramatic Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid with Con Quidam RB, beating Ireland’s Darragh Kenny and Brazil’s Marlon Zanotelli into joint-second place.

Inspiring young riders around the world, 23-year-old Thijssen became the third-youngest rider to ever win a Global Champions Tour Grand Prix after having the opportunity to jump against the world’s best athletes as the under 25 rider for the GCL team Istanbul Sultans.

Kenny took the lead in the 10-horse jump-off with Heathman Farm’s VDL Cartello when clear in 39.91 second but he didn’t stay in the lead for long as and VDL Edgar M managed crossed the finish line clear and in the exact same time.

The pair had a long wait to see if they would be sharing first place as lots of young talent was still to come. Saving the best for last, Sanne Thijssen looked more determined than ever to have her time in the spotlight.

At a flat out gallop, she was up on the time halfway around allowing her to have an extra check to the final 1.60m vertical to cross the finish line in 39.15 seconds. She punched the air before pointing at her horse and hugging him.

Clearly emotional afterwards, Sanne said: “You can’t even put into words this feeling, I really wanted to win a Global (LGCT) Grand Prix. Now I have the opportunity and I wanted to take this chance and I took it. It is an unbelievable show here, there are so many people here which is amazing; the atmosphere is just top.”

Speaking about being part of the select few riders who will compete in the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs later in the year, Sanne said: “It is unbelievable, to be up with these top riders is just unbelievable.”

Waterford’s Anthony Condon was also in action at the venue, riding for the Miami Celtics team, and he placed fourth in Friday’s 1.55m aboard Pat Hales’ home-bred SFS Vincomte when one of 13 clear rounds.

Mark McAuley was fifth in Sunday’s 1.45m Table A with the Denis Hickey-bred nine-year-old mare GRS Lady Amaro.