Press release from Longines Global Champions Tour, edited by World of Showjumping

The CSI5* 1.60m €437,200 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Mexico City presented by GNP Seguros delivered a blockbuster headline at Campo Marte, as Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) rose to the occasion with a performance of speed, instinct and precision. Riding Pallieter vd N.Ranch (Cornet Obolensky x Toulon), the Italian stormed to victory in a blistering jump-off time of 43.68 seconds, securing back to back LGCT podiums and etching his name into one of the standout moments of the 2026 season.

Still processing a performance that brought the crowd to its feet, Bucci reflected on the partnership that made it possible: “This horse is really something unbelievable. I really had the feeling I was going slow but he really made up so much space, he is so very intelligent, he makes my job so easy.”

“It is really something unbelievable. - the show, the crowd, the atmosphere. Gracias Mexico,” Bucci added.

Pushing him all the way and further extending her lead at the top of the championship standings, Katrin Eckermann (GER) once again demonstrated remarkable consistency under pressure, placing second with Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS (Diarado’s Boy x Chacco-Blue).

“Of course I would have loved to have won but I added one stride too many in the vertical but she really was amazing yet again,” Eckermann said.

Rounding out the podium, Simon Delestre (FRA) added yet another top finish to his record, taking the third place with the 10-year-old gelding Golden Boy DK (Diamant de Semilly x Cash).

With two stages complete, Katrin Eckermann leads the LGCT overall standings on 77 points after back-to-back top performances. With 40 points added to his tally, Bucci makes a powerful statement in the 2026 title race, sitting in second on 75 points while also securing a coveted golden ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix later this season. Great Britain’s U25 rider Jack Whitaker sits third on 64 points and Cian O’Connor (IRL) holds fourth with 59 points, while  Zascha Nygaard (DEN) completes the top five on 55 points.