Edited press release from Global Champions League

The 2025 Global Champions League (GCL) season kicked off at Al Shaqab’s Longines Arena in Doha, Qatar, with reigning champions Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames delivering a flawless performance to claim the victory. Against a field of 17 teams, they were the only squad to leave every fence intact over two rounds. 

Sophie Hinners (GER) produced a perfect double clear on Iron Dames My Prins (Zilverstar T x Winningmood) while Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann’s (GER) single time fault in round 2 aboard Iron Dames Dubai du Cedre (Baloubet du Rouet x Diamant de Semilly) sealed the win. Prague Lions’ Fernando Martinez Sommer (MEX) with Lady van de Haarterhoeve (Casall x Clarimo) and Pieter Devos (BEL) aboard Primo DV (Vigo d'Arsouilles x Heartbreaker) secured second, while new team Monaco Comets powered by Iron Dames rounded off the podium with a double clear from Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) aboard Fellow Castlefield (Je T'Aime Flamenco x Twister) and an unlucky rail for Jeanne Sadran (FRA) with Dexter de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago x Diamant de Semilly). 

Owner and founder of the Iron Dames project, Deborah Mayer, sat proudly alongside her team at the post-GCL Doha 2025 press conference. Beaming, she said: "It’s an amazing start to the 2025 championship, and winning two years in a row is outstanding."

"To have the honor of standing here with two fantastic teams—Cannes Stars and Monaco Comets—both on the podium in the opening round is exceptional, and I’m extremely proud.”