Edited press release from Longines Global Champions Tour 

It was a landmark day in the Spanish capital as Ioli Mytilineou (GRE) delivered the performance of a lifetime to claim victory in the CSI5* 1.60m €500,000 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Madrid 2025. Aboard the sensational L'Artiste de Toxandra (Toulon x Kashmir van Schuttershof), Mytilineou triumphed in a thrilling, lightning-fast jump-off against podium veteran Marco Kutscher (GER) and Aventador S (Armitage x Charming Boy), securing her coveted golden ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix.

In front of a standing-room-only crowd at the Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) continued his impressive run of form to round out the podium with a flawless double clear aboard the ultra-consistent Elysium (VDL Zirocco Blue x Coronado). Santiago Varela Ullastres’ 1.60m track delivered a true test of scope, accuracy, and strategy - culminating in a heart-stopping jump-off between seven horse-and-rider combinations. 

Speaking after her emotional win, a visibly elated Mytilineou said: “I really just did all I could. As I said earlier, I know I need to get quicker myself, but my horse jumped unbelievably today. The crowd here is unbelievable and it just makes it even better!”

Reflecting on the magnitude of the moment, she continued: “This is my first-ever 5* Grand Prix win. A couple of years ago in the LGCT of A Coruña, I was in a similar position, but the final rider in the jump-off beat my time. So today, I honestly didn’t believe I could hold on to the win.”

And as the reality of earning her golden ticket sank in, Mytilineou’s smile said it all. “Prague is an unbelievable venue,” she beamed. “Now I’m going to plan my season around producing a big result there. I’m so grateful to Deborah [Mayer] for the opportunity to ride here in Madrid.”

After qualifying for the jump-off in the 2024 LGCT Grand Prix of Madrid but failing to make the podium with a fourth place finish, runner-up Marco Kutcher said: “I am very happy with our result today. Aventador S gave everything, and the course was challenging but fair. The atmosphere here in Madrid is always special - the crowd's support is incredible. It’s a pleasure to ride in such an environment.”

After a dramatic fourth stage of the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour in Madrid, the overall standings have been shaken once again. Belgium’s Gilles Thomas now leads the overall rankings on 87 points, thanks to a consistent string of top performances. Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) who did not compete in Madrid, slips to second with 75 points but remains firmly in contention as the season intensifies. Ireland’s Denis Lynch holds steady in third on 67.2 points, while Abdel Saïd (BEL) surges into fourth on 64 points, tied with Germany’s Jörne Sprehe.