Three stages before the end of the season, the tension rose at the home tournament of the founder of the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League, Jan Tops, in Valkenswaard. Because the starting position was such that there were no early winners:
Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames extended their lead after a podium finish in the London GCL last weekend. The women's team was in first place with 250 points. Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses were in second place with 228 points. The Doha Falcons had consolidated their third place with 211 points and were just two points ahead of Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian (209).
The team from Riesenbeck, defending champions for the past two years, sent two highly motivated riders, Philipp Schulze Topphoff aboard Carla NRW (Comme Il Faut) and Philipp Weishaupt aboard Coby 8 (Contagio), into the beautiful riding arena on Saturday afternoon. Their horses for rounds one and two: Carla NRW and Coby. The team started eleventh out of 14 pairs.
The story is quickly told: The only team to remain penalty-free over both rounds is the logical winner. And that was - for the first time this season - the two Philipps from Team Riesenbeck!
Team boss Ludger Beerbaum commented on his riders' performance as follows: “Two very strong pairs, four top rounds. Perfect!!!”
Philipp Weishaupt recalled in the winner's interview that it was almost normal to stand on top of the podium last season. “This year is our first victory. But we managed perfect timing and took a huge step from fourth to second. We are extremely happy about that!”
The two riders and their horses were cheered on by participants from the Longines World Equestrian Academy, who finished their course by watching the professionals at work on the course. “Many eyes were watching us and keeping their fingers crossed,” said Philipp Weishaupt. “That spurred us on, of course.”
His colleague Philipp Schulze Topphoff, who turned 26 just a few days ago, added that the strategy had been to show safe clear rounds. They therefore decided not to change horses and relied on the tried and tested Carla and Coby.
The New York Empires came second behind Riesenbeck International, while Cannes Stars, who continue to lead the overall standings, came third
Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames extended their lead after a podium finish in the London GCL last weekend. The women's team was in first place with 250 points. Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses were in second place with 228 points. The Doha Falcons had consolidated their third place with 211 points and were just two points ahead of Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian (209).
The team from Riesenbeck, defending champions for the past two years, sent two highly motivated riders, Philipp Schulze Topphoff aboard Carla NRW (Comme Il Faut) and Philipp Weishaupt aboard Coby 8 (Contagio), into the beautiful riding arena on Saturday afternoon. Their horses for rounds one and two: Carla NRW and Coby. The team started eleventh out of 14 pairs.
The story is quickly told: The only team to remain penalty-free over both rounds is the logical winner. And that was - for the first time this season - the two Philipps from Team Riesenbeck!
Team boss Ludger Beerbaum commented on his riders' performance as follows: “Two very strong pairs, four top rounds. Perfect!!!”
Philipp Weishaupt recalled in the winner's interview that it was almost normal to stand on top of the podium last season. “This year is our first victory. But we managed perfect timing and took a huge step from fourth to second. We are extremely happy about that!”
The two riders and their horses were cheered on by participants from the Longines World Equestrian Academy, who finished their course by watching the professionals at work on the course. “Many eyes were watching us and keeping their fingers crossed,” said Philipp Weishaupt. “That spurred us on, of course.”
His colleague Philipp Schulze Topphoff, who turned 26 just a few days ago, added that the strategy had been to show safe clear rounds. They therefore decided not to change horses and relied on the tried and tested Carla and Coby.
The New York Empires came second behind Riesenbeck International, while Cannes Stars, who continue to lead the overall standings, came third