Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour

Riding the 12-year-old gelding H&M Miro (Diamant de Semilly x Kannan), Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) clinched his first ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix-victory in Stockholm, Sweden, on Sunday. Philippaerts has collected an impressive four seconds and two thirds on previous occasions, but today was the first time in his career that he could step up to the top of the podium in a Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix. With an army of supporters around him, an emotional celebration sent waves around the stadium as he also clinched his Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in November.

Keeping the Swedish dream alive, Wilma Hellström (SWE) and Cicci BJN (Ci Ci Senjor Ask x Tornesch) took second place in front of their home crowd, while the podium was rounded out by on-form Jérôme Guery (BEL) and the veteran Quel Homme de Hus (Quidam de Revel x Candillo).

A passionate crowd yet again filled the bleachers at Stockholm Olympic Stadium, as showjumping fans and sporting aficionados travelled from near and far to cheer on the best in the business in the LGCT Grand Prix presented by Agria. In a jump-off of ten, it was Philippaerts who posted the quickest time in 45.76 seconds, and although Hellström came close as second-last to go she had to settle for the runner-up spot when the clock stopped at 46.16sec – a performance that pushed Guery down to third with his 46.93sec."It’s something I’ve dreamed of," a clearly emotional Olivier Philippaerts said to GCTV, "I’ve been trying many, many times – a few times in second place I have been thinking hopefully one day I can pull it off, and to do it here in Stockholm, in front of all this crowd, in front of all the people from H&M that support us all the time, it's something I’ve dreamed of."

As the third person in the Philippaerts-dynasty to secure an LGCT Grand Prix win, he went on to add: "The key which is the most important for all of us is to work together – the people that work at home and at the show we really work together to achieve these things, so today we are going to really enjoy it."

Speaking with GCTV, Hellström said: "To do this with a home crowd, it really is an amazing feeling. It was pressure enough, but it was a fantastic day today. I’m delighted."

Jérôme Guery’s 18-year-old stallion Quel Homme de Hus has come back in the form of his life after sustaining an injury that kept him out of international competition from the end of 2022 to the start of this year. Speaking of his long-time partner, Guery told GCTV: "It’s amazing to have him back and like I say, when you have a horse like this, everything looks easy. He gives me the easy life and I am so, so happy to have him back and to have him jumping like this."

With a major shake-up on the 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour standings, Max Kühner (AUT) is now in the lead with 171 points. Andreas Schou (DEN) moves up to second place on 165 points, and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar (ESP) drops to a close third with 162 points.

The LGCT now heads full speed to Monaco, where Port Hercule will play host to the 10th stage of tour from 4-6 July.