Edited press release from Global Champions League

Converting their pole position to a win, Doha Falcons' Julien Anquetin, Jérôme Guery and Michael Pender stormed to victory in the GCL of Paris presented by Metrobus. 

The Paris leg of the Global Champions League saw fierce competition and spellbinding performances, but it was Doha Falcons that led from start to finish with Guery riding Careca LS Elite (Carusso LS La Silla x Rebozo La Silla) and Great Britain V (Nabab de Reve x Carolus H), Anquetin onboard Z Ice Cube Z (Zacharov x Casco) and Pender’s HHS Calais (Cavalier Royale x Obos Quality) being pulled in for round two. 

GCL ranking leaders Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses' duo of Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts took home second place aboard Katanga v/h Dingeshof (Cardento x Tornedo FCS) and H&M Legend of Love (Landzauber x Corgraf) in round two. But hot on their heels, Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames once again stood on the podium in third with Sophie Hinners on Special Life (I'm Special de Muze x Narew XX) and Katrin Eckermann delivering two clears with Cala Mandia NRW (Capistrano x Valentino) and Chao Lee (Comme Il Faut x Chacco-Blue). 

In the team’s first win since GCL Samorin in 2021, the Doha Falcons took their well earned spot at the top of the podium. Speaking with GCTV, Mikey Pender said: “There really are amazing crowds here in Paris, it was brilliant. The team has been a bit unlucky all year, but we have a good team and have been going well in general… just knocking on the door. We have a brilliant team bond, all the shows we have such brilliant riders, and I think that helps a lot - hopefully we can keep it going.”

Jumping two horses each across round one and round two, Nicola and Olivier Philippaerts secured the third consecutive podium for the Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses, ultimately furthering their ranking lead ahead of the home stage in Stockholm next week. Speaking with GCTV, Nicola said: “All the horses jumped fantastic today, really we were very lucky to be on the podium, we survived another leg and we are looking forward to going into Stockholm as leaders next week.”

He went on to add: “We are only half way now, we have a lot of stages to come so it is very important that we plan carefully to get the strongest team everywhere that is possible.”