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

In Rome, Harrie Smolders (NED) and the 16-year-old gelding Monaco (Cassini II x Contender) soared to the victory in Sunday's CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix – their third LGCT Grand Prix win this year.

The Dutchman delivered a masterclass to claim the win in 34.27 seconds, while Gilles Thomas (BEL) not only took second on the 9-year-old mare Qalista DN (Emerald van 't Ruytershof x Landetto) but also sealed the 2025 LGCT Championship title, marking a defining moment in his career. Gilles is now the youngest ever Longines Global Champions Tour Champion and the first person to win with still two stages to go in the season. 

Rounding out the podium, fellow Dutch star Maikel van der Vleuten produced another trademark cool performance aboard the 15-year-old gelding Beauville Z N.O.P. (Bustique x Jumpy des Fontaines), finishing third in 34.84 seconds to collect the golden ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix as both Harrie Smolders and Gilles Thomas have already qualified earlier in the season. Gregory Cottard (FRA) and Cocaine du Val (Mylord Carthago HN x Si Tu Viens) finished fourth after having clocked a time of 36.41 seconds, while Katharina Rhomberg (AUT) and Colestus Cambridge (Colestus x Cambridge) completed the top five with their time of 36.67 seconds.

“I must say it is actually very special, nine years ago, it was during the LGCT of Rome that I met Monaco. So nine years ago with Alessandro Mingoli I went, on the Saturday morning, to try Monaco when he was seven years old.. And now nine years after that he wins here in Rome,” Harrie told after his win. 

As for today? “It’s a beautiful setting that just has so much history – it is amazing here, you feel the atmosphere, Monaco feels the atmosphere… it lights him up, it gears him up, and to win again for the third time this season… it’s amazing,” Harrie went on to add.

As the Tour now heads to Rabat, Morocco, next week for the penultimate leg of the 2025-season, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown to determine the remaining LGCT Super Grand Prix qualifiers.