Edited press release from Global Champions League

Doha Falcons triumphed for the second week in a row securing the win at the GCL of Stockholm presented by Norrviken. Jérôme Guery (BEL), Simon Delestre (FRA) and Julien Anquetin (FRA) emerged victorious with Quel Homme de Hus (Quidam de Revel x Candillo), Dexter Fontenis Z (Diarado x Voltaire Pref), Olga van de Kruishoeve (El Torreo de Muze x Nabab de Reve) and Z Ice Cube Z (Zacharov x Casco) in front of an electric crowd.

Last year’s overall GCL champions, Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland, picked up another big points haul after a rocky first part of the season with Christian Kukuk (GER) on Nice van't Zorgvliet (Emerald x Heartbreaker), Philipp Weishaupt with Zineday (Zinedine x Polydor) and Harry Allen aboard Lukaku vd Bisschop (Plot Blue x Utrillo Z) as the only other team on just four faults but seven seconds slower to take second place.

Much to the Swedish crowds' delight, Scandinavian Vikings secured their first podium of the year as Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) on King Edward (Edward 28 x Feo), Nicola Pohl (GER) with Catz de Sulpice (Tresor de Virton x Vesontio du Mesnil) and Evelina Tovek (SWE) riding Moeboetoe v/d Roshoeve (Der Senaat x Poleander) took third. 

During the course walk of round one, Simon Delestre spoke to GCTV of the game plan and focus for the team. He said: “We really focus for the team [overall] ranking, we are in third now, sometimes we have a bit of bad luck, but we fight for it today.”

And fight they did. Taking the win for the second week running, the on-form riders Jérôme Guery, Simon Delestre and Julien Anquetin put the pressure on and came out on top. Following their win, Delestre said: “We have a fantastic team spirit, we are all good friends and to fight together instead of against each other is something really cool.”

Home hero and world number one Henrik von Eckermann said: “We haven’t had a great season so far, but with a podium it is great, Nicola made a great round and put the pressure on me to not mess it up, but luckily I was on King Edward!”

Teammate Nicola Pohl went on to add: “I must say the atmosphere here was incredible, maybe also because Henrik was on the team it felt like they were supporting us a little extra, and the great fans and great atmosphere really made it a great day!”

Podium veterans Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian finished in a well deserved second place, taking the fourth podium for the 2024-season. Christian Kukuk spoke of the team's reignited championship hope, saying: “We haven't had as many podiums as last year, a few more second places rather than wins... There are more shows left for the season and we are definitely still fighting for the win.”