Press release from Longines Global Champions Tour, edited by World of Showjumping

Under the golden Moroccan sun, the Longines Global Champions Tour returned to Rabat’s magnificent Grand Theatre for the second year running – and stage 15 of the 2025-season delivered an afternoon of show jumping brilliance that will live long in memory.

Monaco’s Anastasia Nielsen, at just 19 years of age, achieved what many dream of, riding her first ever clear round in a CSI5* 1.60m class and taking her first ever Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory aboard Action Man (Action-Breaker x Stakkatol), becoming the youngest winner in LGCT history.

“This is what dreams are made of,” a tearful Anastasia, overcome with emotion, reflected. “This was my first ever clear in a five-star 1.60m and first ever clear in a Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix. The field of riders in the jump-off were really strong names, so I had no expectations. Making history to be the youngest winner ever means so much. It is such an honour to achieve this at such a young age. The crowd here, the atmosphere, everything about this event is just incredible.”

Joining Nielsen on the podium, Denmark’s Andreas Schou and Napoli vh Nederassenthof (President x Quasimodo Z) finished second after a bold and determined performance, just missing the double clear to finish as the fastest on four faults.

“I think I have said in many interviews this year that Napoli deserves a podium as he has been close so many times - and now today we deliver one,” smiled Schou. “My whole season has been built around the Longines Global Champions Tour, and to be back here in Rabat is great. I’ll go next to Riyadh for the Finals to chase the last points in the Championship - I’m aiming for another podium, and hopefully that golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague.”

Completing the top three, Ireland’s Denis Lynch and Cordial (Casall x Chicago Z) added another podium to their impressive LGCT-record, finishing third after a beautifully ridden jump-off that saw just a single rail on the floor.

Speaking of the history making Nielsen, Lynch said: “I’m absolutely delighted for her – she did what none of us could do, went in and rode a foot-perfect round.”

With this result, Anastasia Nielsen not only secures her place in the record books but also earns her Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs. Meanwhile, the LGCT overall standings remain electric behind the already crowned 2025 Champion Gilles Thomas (BEL), who sealed the title in Rome. Behind him, Harrie Smolders (NED) holds second on 214 points, Christian Kukuk (GER) third on 208 after a challenging day in Rabat, and Andreas Schou (DEN) climbs to 207 points – within striking distance of a season podium.