A composed performance from Scott Brash and Max Wachman guided New York Empire powered by Lugano to victory in Cannes. Brash produced a crucial first-round clear aboard Hello Jefferson before adding just a single time fault with Hello Chadora Lady in round two, while Wachman and Fancy de Kergane contributed to a winning team total of five time faults across both rounds.

 

Climbing from sixth after round one, Jessica Mendoza and Sanne Thijssen spearheaded a stunning charge up the leaderboard for Doha Falcons. Mendoza erased her opening-round eight faults with a clear aboard In The Air, while Thijssen and Cupcake Z delivered two flawless rounds to help secure second place on eight faults.

 

Consistency proved key for Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team as Thibeau Spits and Pieter Devos secured the final podium position. Spits partnered King van Essene in both rounds, while Devos rode Primo DV in round one before returning aboard Jarina J in round two, with the team finishing on twelve faults overall to take the lead in championship.

 

Floodlit sport, packed grandstands and the glamour of the French Riviera combined to create a spectacular night in Cannes, as the world's best riders went head-to-head in a high-pressure battle for crucial championship points just moments from the famous La Croisette.

Taking the first win of the season for New York Empire, long term team member Scott Brash spoke of the supportive crowd & team performance which ultimately allowed him to guide Hello Chadora Lady around Round 2 with room to breath and enjoy the moment. “The atmosphere here in Cannes is always buzzing under the lights. Max did two super rounds which really let me have the time with Chadora in round two and ultimately deliver for the team.”

Young talent Max Wachmann smiled: "I'm absolutely delighted. To win anywhere on the GCL circuit is special, but to do it here in Cannes with this atmosphere is great. The crowd was incredible and there was such a great buzz around the arena. A huge thank you has to go to our team owner Georgina for the opportunity and everyone involved with New York Empire team."

A Cannes debutant, Jessica Mendoza talked of the feeling of jumping here: “it’s my first time here in Cannes and really couldn’t be happier with how tonight unfolded. After the first round we knew we were in the running. I knew i had to produce a quick clear in round 2, and sitting watching the other teams behind us fall behind us kept us on the edge of our seat up until the end.”

The Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian team powered their way up the rankings from third to firmly into the lead. Team anchor Pieter Devos explained, “It was a bit difficult out there today, both rounds were very delicate with faults everywhere. We had some really good results this season already and came here wanting to protect our position on the leaderboard, so to get higher and now to have the armband - we couldn’t be happier.“

Cannes threw the 2026 GCL Championship battle wide open. Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team emerge from Stage 5 at the summit on 89 points, but with Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team breathing down their necks just one point adrift and Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois only three points off the lead, the title fight is more intense than ever. New York Empire powered by Lugano were the big movers of the weekend, rocketing into fourth after their Cannes triumph, while Monaco Aces remain firmly in the hunt as the top five teams are now separated by just 13 points heading into the next Riviera showdown in St Tropez.

There was early drama in round 1 as defending GCL Cannes winners St Tropez Pirates suffered a shock elimination after both riders failed to complete the course, while Scandinavian Vikings also bowed out of contention following a retirement from Jur Vrieling and only one score on the board. At the sharp end of the leaderboard, New York Empire powered by Lugano seized the lead on just two faults thanks to a crucial clear from Scott Brash, while Shanghai Swans and Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team remained within touching distance on four faults apiece. Behind them, Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team and Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym kept the pressure firmly on, ensuring the fight for victory remains wide open heading into Round 2

How it unfolded in Round 2...

 

There was frustration for Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois after starting the evening within striking distance of the leaders. Olivier Philippaerts and Hipster SV had a rail down, while Zascha Nygaard and Com'On Drako de Maugre also added four faults, leaving the team on 16 faults.

 

Drama struck Riyadh Knights in the closing stages of the competition. Tom Wachman and Obora's Laura collected eleven penalties before Emanuele Gaudiano and Vasco 118 were eliminated, bringing an abrupt end to the team's challenge and leaving them tenth overall.

 

The home crowd roared every fence for Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, but victory proved just out of reach. Anastasia Nielsen and Action Man added four faults before Jörne Sprehe and Hickstead White matched the scoreline, leaving the local favourites alos on 16 faults but slower than Basel. 

 

For Monaco Aces, the podium remained within reach until the closing stages. Duarte Seabra and Cooper LB were clear but four time faults before Yuri Mansur and Vitiki also lowered a rail. Their 16 fault team total saw them split down the order due to time in a tightly packed midfield battle.

 

The charge from Doha Falcons was one of the stories of the night. Sitting sixth after Round 1, Jessica Mendoza and In The Air bounced back from an opening-round eight faults with a flawless clear when it mattered most. Sanne Thijssen then piled on the pressure, delivering a second consecutive clear aboard Cupcake Z as the Falcons rocketed up the leaderboard on 8 faults with 5 teams to go…

 

Disappointment followed for Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym despite a brilliant clear from Ciaran Nallon aboard Casalla Blue PS. With the pressure mounting, Philipp Weishaupt and Oreo D.R. suffered four fences down, ending the team's podium hopes.

 

A late challenge came from Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team. Abdel Said and Wathnan Max collected six penalties, but Henrik von Eckermann and Iliana kept the fight alive with just a single rail down. Their combined score of 14 faults left them waiting if it was enough for a podium but most importantly maintain their championship momentum.

 

Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team once again showed their consistency under pressure. Thibeau Spits and King van Essene incurred four faults, leaving Pieter Devos with work to do. The Belgian answered the call aboard Jarina J, producing another four-fault effort to secure a podium.

 

A costly round halted the progress of Shanghai Swans. Giacomo Casadei and Raffinesse incurred eight faults before Daniel Deusser and Devino Van't Langeveld Z added six more, dropping the team down the order after starting the night in second position.

 

In pole position New York Empire powered by Lugano entered Round 2 in prime position and never looked back. Max Wachman was first to return, picking up three penalties aboard Fancy de Kergane to leave the door slightly ajar. But when the pressure reached its peak, Scott Brash produced exactly what his team needed, guiding Hello Chadora Lady to a superb round with just a single time fault to secure victory on a final score of six faults.

 

As the league now heads to stop 6 in the 2026 championship race, all eyes are on Ramatuelle, St. Tropez to deliver another style filled Riviera destination. Tune in via the best seat in show jumping on GCTV and catch all the action live!