The kick-off for the GCL has taken place! Twelve teams competed for a coveted spot in the Prague final, with eight of them advancing to the semi-final. Shanghai Swans dominated the class with a victory.
The course proved to be a significant challenge, as only five combinations managed to complete it faultlessly. The Shanghai Swans emerged as the top team, thanks in part to the faultless round by Christian Ahlmann (GER) and the BWP gelding Mandato van de Neerheide (Emerald). The team also included Max Kühner (AUT) with Up Too Jacco Blue (Chacco-Blue) and Martin Fuchs (SUI) with his trusted Leone Jei (Baltic VDL).
At Riyadh Blue, David Will (GER) was the key player, guiding My Prins van Dorperheide (Zilverstar T) faultlessly to the finish line. Fellow countrymen Abdulrahman Alrajhi (KSA) with Babalou (Balous Bellini) and Abdullah Alsharbatly (KSA) with Kriskras DV (Cooper vd Heffinck) also competed, both finishing with a jumping fault.
Monaco Aces secured the third position, with one faultless round by Francisco José Mesquita Musa (BRA) riding Carte de Blue PS Marathon (Cartoon). Sara Vingralkova (CZE) competed on How Easy (Talan), and Jeremy Sweetnam (IRL) also contributed to the team with Bogano (Ogano Sitte).
How does the GCL work again?
Sixteen teams have qualified for the Playoffs in Prague! The GCL Super Cup consists of a team quarter-final, a semi-final, and a final. The quarter-final, held over one round of 1.60m, is open to 12 teams with three riders per team - those placed 5th to 16th in the overall team standings of the GCL before the GC Prague Playoffs. The best eight teams, based on the total time and penalties for each of the three riders, then qualify for the semi-final the next day. In the semi-final, they will be joined by the top four teams in the overall team standings of the GCL, and each of the three team riders will jump one round over 1.60m.