After one of the most intense off-season periods ever, the all-star 2023 GCL lineup can be revealed with top riders switching teams and exciting new names joining the fight for the coveted Championship.
ver the past few months team owners, trainers and managers have been busy strengthening squads and renewing contracts in a clear sign of how competitive the new season will be. With more than €36 million in the overall season prize purse for GCL & LGCT, all 16 teams will be battling for glory with their sights fixed on victory at the high-stakes GCL Finals.
Team spirit, team tactics and the strongest combinations are what’s needed to win. Only the top teams will survive the ultimate showdown in the GCL Super Cup at the season-closing GC Prague Playoffs where a stunning €10 million will be up for grabs in just one weekend this November.
It is a truly international field in the 2023 lineup with riders from different countries uniting as teammates to face down their rivals to dominate the ranking.
Headline moves for 2023, the 8th season of the thrilling GCL team series includes:
—> Shanghai Swans pick up German maestro Daniel Deusser to boost their firepower
—> Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Kraut transfers to Madrid In Motion
—> Mark Rein's Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV secure Michael Duffy
—> Popular Dutch Champion Frank Schuttert joins the roster of Georgina Bloomberg's New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds
—> Hungry for success the St Tropez Pirates have a huge shake-up, signing 4 new riders Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, Katrin Eckermann, Simon Delestre and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli.
—> Jur Vrieling switches to Jennifer Gates' team, Paris Panthers for the competitive 2023 season
—> Brand new team for 2023 the Riyadh Blue squad powered by AlHilal
Fascinatingly, the two highest-ranked teams of the intense 2022 season, Berlin Eagles now named Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland and Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M keep their squads exactly the same, feeling confident in their winning teams.
Last year’s champions Riesenbeck International keep their strong lineup of Ludger Beerbaum, Christian Kukuk, Philipp Weishaupt, Eoin McMahon, Jane Richard and U25 Philipp Schulze Topphoff. While the highly competitive Stockholm Hearts field Peder Fredricson, Olivier Philippaerts, Nicola Philippaerts, Malin Baryard Johnsson, Lillie Keenan and Lily Attwood (U25) again.
Valkenswaard United who finished a close second in 2022’s breathtaking GCL Super Cup are determined to put up a strong challenge with a top new signing reinforcing their squad with Olivier Lazarus joining the legend John Whitaker, Marcus Ehning, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Andre Thieme and talented U25 rider Gilles Thomas.
Looking strong on paper, Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV bring in Irish duo Michael Duffy and Trevor Breen along with Jos Verlooy to join Shane Breen, Beth Underhill and Nina Mallevaey (U25).
There will be drama and emotion all season in the high-stakes championship. Once again every team will field a U25 rider as part of GCL’s commitment to the development of talented youth at the top level of show jumping. This year's power-packed GCL sees 70% of athletes (excluding the U25 competitors) ranked in the top 250 in the world.
Jan Tops, President of the LGCT and GCL, said: "We are thrilled to announce the exciting lineup of the 16 teams for 2023. It will take exceptional team performances to win the GCL Finals and the GCL Super Cup, with incredible prize money on offer. With fantastic U25 talent in the GCL, we continue giving young riders the opportunity to shine at our unique world-class venues.