The Global Champions League (GCL) Super Cup Final in Riyadh began with an exciting first round in which the top six teams started again with a clean slate. This final is not only about technical perfection but also nerves of steel, with even the smallest mistake having major consequences. With a generous time allowed, the time did not seem challenging, but the complex construction of the course tested the skills and concentration of all combinations.
STANDINGS
- Stockholm Hearts - 0 penalty points
- Riesenbeck International - 4 penalty points
- Shanghai Swans - 8 penalty points
- Prague Lions - 12 penalty points
- Cannes Stars - 16 penalty points
- Scandinavian Vikings - 24 penalty points
The Cannes Stars, represented by Sophie Hinners (GER), Katrin Eckermann (GER) and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER), did not have a flawless opening round. Sophie Hinners ran into a fault in the triple jump, followed by two errors by Katrin Eckermann, including a costly beam on the penultimate oxer. Janne Friederike Meyer, who had already ridden two rounds in the LGCT Super Grand Prix, added another four penalties. The team finished with a total of 16 penalty points. Natalie Dean summed up the situation, “We're a little disappointed, but a lot can still happen.”
Donald Whitaker, Sara Vingralkova and Jur Vrieling could not prevent their team, Scandanavian Vikings, from finishing on 24 penalty points.
The all-Belgian Prague Lions saw their young star Thibeau Spits (BEL) shine. After a less than smooth start by Niels Bruynseels (BEL) with eight penalties on Origi vd Vosberg (Echo van t Spieveld) and a mistake by Pieter Devos (BEL) on Toupie de La Roque (Kannan), Spits provided the first clear round of the competition, riding Impress-K van't Kattenheye Z (Indoktro K van't Kattenheye). The team finished with 12 penalties, which briefly gave them the lead. “The boys did well,” said team manager Anna. "Anything can happen."
The Stockholm Hearts had a dream start with clear rounds by Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) and Julien Epaillard (FRA). The team was the only one to come out of the first round with a completely clean sheet. Philippaerts, who replaced his brother Olivier, proved his worth with a flawless ride on Katanga v/h Dingeshof (Cardento). With three clear rounds, the Hearts are at the top of the leaderboard, and confidence is high: “The horses are in top form and the riders are performing extremely strongly,” Olivier Philippaerts said afterwards.
The defending champions, Riesenbeck International, started strong with clear rounds by Eoin McMahon (IRL) with Mila (Monte Bellini) and Christian Kukuk (GER) on Checker 47 (Comme il Faut). Philipp Weishaupt (GER) got a single fault in the triple jump on Coby 8 (Contagio), bringing the team to four penalties. This result gave them provisional second place behind Stockholm Hearts.
Coming into the arena as favorites for the title and big contenders were the Shanghai Swans. Ben Maher (GBR) and Daniel Deusser (GER) kept the excitement going by riding clear rounds, but Max Kühner (AUT) had to take unexpected faults on the triple jump and an oxer. The team finished on eight penalties, putting them in a shared position with the Prague Lions.
STANDINGS
- Stockholm Hearts - 0 penalty points
- Riesenbeck International - 4 penalty points
- Shanghai Swans - 8 penalty points
- Prague Lions - 12 penalty points
- Cannes Stars - 16 penalty points
- Scandinavian Vikings - 24 penalty points
The Cannes Stars, represented by Sophie Hinners (GER), Katrin Eckermann (GER) and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER), did not have a flawless opening round. Sophie Hinners ran into a fault in the triple jump, followed by two errors by Katrin Eckermann, including a costly beam on the penultimate oxer. Janne Friederike Meyer, who had already ridden two rounds in the LGCT Super Grand Prix, added another four penalties. The team finished with a total of 16 penalty points. Natalie Dean summed up the situation, “We're a little disappointed, but a lot can still happen.”
Donald Whitaker, Sara Vingralkova and Jur Vrieling could not prevent their team, Scandanavian Vikings, from finishing on 24 penalty points.
The all-Belgian Prague Lions saw their young star Thibeau Spits (BEL) shine. After a less than smooth start by Niels Bruynseels (BEL) with eight penalties on Origi vd Vosberg (Echo van t Spieveld) and a mistake by Pieter Devos (BEL) on Toupie de La Roque (Kannan), Spits provided the first clear round of the competition, riding Impress-K van't Kattenheye Z (Indoktro K van't Kattenheye). The team finished with 12 penalties, which briefly gave them the lead. “The boys did well,” said team manager Anna. "Anything can happen."
The Stockholm Hearts had a dream start with clear rounds by Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) and Julien Epaillard (FRA). The team was the only one to come out of the first round with a completely clean sheet. Philippaerts, who replaced his brother Olivier, proved his worth with a flawless ride on Katanga v/h Dingeshof (Cardento). With three clear rounds, the Hearts are at the top of the leaderboard, and confidence is high: “The horses are in top form and the riders are performing extremely strongly,” Olivier Philippaerts said afterwards.
The defending champions, Riesenbeck International, started strong with clear rounds by Eoin McMahon (IRL) with Mila (Monte Bellini) and Christian Kukuk (GER) on Checker 47 (Comme il Faut). Philipp Weishaupt (GER) got a single fault in the triple jump on Coby 8 (Contagio), bringing the team to four penalties. This result gave them provisional second place behind Stockholm Hearts.
Coming into the arena as favorites for the title and big contenders were the Shanghai Swans. Ben Maher (GBR) and Daniel Deusser (GER) kept the excitement going by riding clear rounds, but Max Kühner (AUT) had to take unexpected faults on the triple jump and an oxer. The team finished on eight penalties, putting them in a shared position with the Prague Lions.