The victory went to Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym, who fielded an extremely strong team. Christian Kukuk rode the 15-year-old Checker 47 (by Comme il faut x Come on) around in 67.27 seconds – one of the fastest individual rounds of the evening – but with one penalty. Maximilian Weishaupt followed with the 13-year-old Zuccero HV (by Zirocco Blue) in a clear round of 67.21 seconds, while Philipp Weishaupt and Oreo D.R. (by Kannan) completed their round with four penalties in 67.30 seconds. Their total of 8 penalty seconds and 201.78 seconds was more than enough for first place and €250,000 in prize money.

Christian Kukuk was delighted after the victory: “The most important thing today was qualifying for Sunday. This evening is always one of the toughest moments of the year, and we saw that again tonight. All three of us rode strongly, which is why I’m especially pleased with the performance as a team. Starting last in the final is a nice bonus.”

“We have a fantastic team and top horses with us. The atmosphere was already great this morning – everyone was sharp and ready for this evening. My horse jumped excellently and I had the feeling this could be our day,” added Maximilian Weishaupt.

Basel Cosmopolitans finished second with 12 penalties and 208.48 seconds. Andreas Schou and Napoli vh Nederassenthof (by President) recorded eight penalties in 70.58 seconds, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli kept it clear with Katoulon (by Toulon) in a fast 70.00 seconds, and Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida rounded off with Karonia L. (by Hurley) in four penalties and 67.90 seconds. This earned them €220,000.

Marlon Modolo Zanotelli: “It’s almost harder to watch than to ride yourself, especially on a night with so much pressure. Our horses have been jumping well all season, but we’ve had some bad luck at times. Hopefully that turns around now, because today everything felt like it fell into place.”

New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds completed the podium. Denis Lynch rode Cordial (by Casall) in four penalties and 70.79 seconds, Bertram Allen limited the damage with Pacino Amiro (by Pacino) in four penalties and 68.49 seconds, and Scott Brash finished with Hello Jefferson (by Cooper vd Heffinck) in eight penalties and 67.03 seconds. The team total came to 16 penalty seconds and 206.31 seconds, good for €200,000.

Finalists for the GCL Super Cup:

  1. Riesenbeck International (Christian Kukuk, Maximilian Weishaupt, Philipp Weishaupt)

  2. Basel Cosmopolitans (Andreas Schou, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli & Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida)

  3. New York Empire (Denis Lynch, Bertram Allen, Scott Brash)

  4. Prague Lions (Niels Bruynseels, Pieter Devos, Thibeau Spits)

  5. Rome Gladiators (Emanuele Gaudiano, Yuri Mansur, Peder Fredricson)

  6. Valkenswaard United (Marcus Ehning, Hans-Dieter Dreher, Gilles Thomas)

Results