Edited press release from Global Champions League

On a day of top sporting action, it was Shanghai Swans that had the sold-out stadium at Shanghai World Expo Equestrian Park jumping with joy when they as last to go secured the win in the fourth Global Champions League-leg of the season. Jumping for Shanghai Swans, Daniel Deusser with Otello de Guldenboom (Tobago Z x Caretino) and Gangster v/h Noddevelt (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Careful) alongside Pius Schwizer on Chill MA (Crunch x Alcatraz) and Vancouver de Lanlore (Toulon x Le Tot de Semilly) were the only ones to jump four clear rounds for their team – taking home the win much to the local crowds' delight.

With an epic crowd pulsating with excitement, today’s thrilling showdown marked a triumphant return to the new venue in China.

German maestro Daniel Deusser smiled: "Going in I knew I could have two or three down, that feeling is something exceptional. Of course here in our home show in Shanghai it’s brilliant to have the support of the local crowd which makes a very, very special show."

Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem shot up the rankings today after securing second place on a team total of 12 faults. Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli made her debut on the team one to remember aboard Kalinka van de Nachtegaele (Epleaser van’T Heike x Cicero Z), while a flawless double clear from Andreas Schou on two different horses – Napoli vh Nederassenthof (President x Quasimodo Z) and Lady Corlina (Casiro x Corlensky G) – showed how they will be a team to watch this season.

A beaming Andreas Schou spoke with GCTV of the support from the Istanbul Warriors back at home in Europe, including fellow rider and team owner Efe Siyahi: "The team back home are full of joy, really happy. I’ve had a FaceTime call with Efe already, and he was so happy, we’re so pleased to finally have a good result."

He went onto add: "This venue is unbelievable; I think everyone here is so very excited and everyone is talking that for sure they will be coming back. It is great to have smiles back on our faces now as the last shows in the GCL didn’t work out so well for the team, and when you’re on a team, you want to deliver, and today it all came together for us."

Four teams finished on a score of 16 faults, but Doha Falcons took full advantage of going late in the pack – once Jérôme Guery and Julien Anquetin realised they had fences down they put the gas on to slide ahead of Scandinavian Vikings and secured their first podium this season.

Talking about the venue Jérôme Guery explained: "It is an amazing place, I honestly have never seen a stadium like this. It is really unbelievable. Jan said before we came that we will see it’s special, but it’s far more special than I was thinking. It’s really amazing. The crowd is so motivating, it’s been full every day until now, it’s so nice to be here".

After the previous stage of GCL in Mexico City there was 40 points between the first and last team on the standings, but after the Shanghai-leg the gap has closed to just 25 points. Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames leap back into the lead on 75 points after a 5th place finish today. Just three points behind them is Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses and Doha Falcons on 72 points.