The second round of the Global Champions League 2025 in Riesenbeck delivered top-level excitement. In front of an enthusiastic crowd, the world’s best riders battled against the clock and the towering 1.60m fences. In the end, it was the Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team who claimed the victory.
The win went to Ireland’s Michael Pender riding HHS Los Angeles (Le Roi). Silver went to Germany thanks to Jana Wargers on Dorette OLD (Dollar du Murier). The podium was completed by Simon Delestre with Golden Boy DK (Diamant de Semilly).
Andreas Schou finished just off the podium with Darc de Lux (Darco). Fifth place went to Peder Fredricson aboard Alcapone des Carmille (Diamant de Semilly).
Istanbul Warriors take the lead!
The Istanbul Warriors were unbeatable during the Global Champions League in Riesenbeck. Simon Delestre with Golden Boy DK (Diamant de Semilly), Henrik von Eckermann with Steely Dan (Hardrock Z), and Hasan Senturk with Avant Toi (Flyinge Quite Easy) convincingly jumped their way to gold.
Simon Delestre: “Golden has had a really good Global season, usually jumping clear in the first round. I felt it was time to let him do both rounds. He is strong, careful, and needs the experience. Today he jumped fantastically: one rail down in the first round, but the fastest time, and then a super clear in the second round. I’m really proud of him.”
The winning team showed exactly why they are among the favorites. Delestre produced a solid performance on Golden Boy DK with just four faults in the opening round, then bounced back with a flawless second round. Henrik von Eckermann confirmed his class by staying clear with Steely Dan. Teammate Hasan Senturk also played his part despite a rail down, helping the team finish convincingly on top.
Henrik von Eckermann: “I’m very happy with both my horses. My plan was to save Steely Dan for the Grand Prix, so I didn’t want to ride him twice today. That made me a bit nervous, going straight in with an inexperienced horse on this big course. But in the last round he really showed himself brilliantly.”
2. Riesenbeck International
The home team, Riesenbeck International, finished in second place. Maximilian Weishaupt stayed clear with Kokomo B (Kannan), but both Christian Kukuk with Chageorge (Chacco-Blue) and Emanuele Camilli with Chacco’s Girlstar (Chacco-Blue) picked up a rail in the first round. Still, their consistent pace kept them firmly in the top three. For the Riesenbeck crowd, this result was especially meaningful given the strong home support for the riders.
3. Prague Lions
The Prague Lions took third place thanks to Fernando Martinez Sommer and Niels Bruynseels. Sommer competed with Joep (Otangelo) and Lady vd Haarterhoeve (Casall), while Bruynseels relied on Origi vd Vosberg (Echo van ’t Spieveld) and Q-Sander vd Vosberg (Kassander van ’t Roosakker).
Fernando Martinez Sommer: “We are very happy. Our horses jumped really well in both rounds. We made some silly mistakes in the first, but were already pleased. And now to be double clear was really, really good.”
Niels Bruynseels also looked back with satisfaction: “With only two riders there’s always a bit of extra pressure. For me personally, I wanted to take a small risk by starting Q-Sander in the first round. He needed to take a step forward and he did that brilliantly, with just a light mistake in the last line. I told Fernando: if we both stay clear in the second round, we might grab the podium—and that’s exactly what happened.”
Overall standings after 11th competition:
- Valkenswaard United
- Shanghai Swans
- Cannes Stars
- Prague Lions
- Riesenbeck International
