Press release from Global Champions League, edited by World of Showjumping

Cannes delivered a blockbuster night of GCL action as stage five of the 2026 season went right down to the wire beneath the floodlights at the French Riviera. As the clock ticked down, it became a pure race against time, with the eventual winners New York Empire powered by Lugano as the only team not to touch a rail to seal a memorable triumph in front of an electric crowd.

A composed performance from Scott Brash (GBR) and Max Wachman (IRL) guided New York Empire powered by Lugano to victory in Cannes. Brash produced a crucial first-round clear aboard Hello Jefferson (Cooper vd Heffinck x Irco Mena) before adding just a single time fault with Hello Chadora Lady (Chacco-Blue x Nintender) in round two, while Wachman and Fancy de Kergane (Berdenn de Kergane x Cor de Hus) contributed to a winning team total of six time faults across both rounds.

Climbing from sixth after round one, Jessica Mendoza (GBR) and Sanne Thijssen (NED) spearheaded a stunning charge up the leaderboard for Doha Falcons. In round two, Mendoza improved her opening-round eight faults with a clear aboard In The Air (Air Jordan x Indoctro), while Thijssen and Cupcake Z (Chacco-Blue x Nissan Caretano Z) delivered two flawless rounds to help secure second place on a team total of eight penalties.

Consistency proved key for Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team as Thibeau Spits (BEL) and Pieter Devos (BEL) secured the final podium position. Spits partnered King van Essene (Calido I x Chacco-Blue) in both rounds, while Devos rode Primo DV (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Heartbreaker) in round one before returning aboard Jarina J (Cicero Z x Harley) in round two, with the team finishing on twelve faults overall to take third place and the lead on the overall GCL-ranking.

Taking the first win of the season for New York Empire, long-term team member Scott Brash spoke of the supportive crowd and a team performance which ultimately allowed him to guide Hello Chadora Lady around round two with room to breath and enjoy the moment. “The atmosphere here in Cannes is always buzzing under the lights,” he said. “Max did two super rounds which really let me have the time with Chadora in round two and ultimately deliver for the team.”

Young talent Max Wachmann smiled: "I'm absolutely delighted. To win anywhere on the GCL circuit is special, but to do it here in Cannes with this atmosphere is great. The crowd was incredible and there was such a great buzz around the arena. A huge thank you has to go to our team owner Georgina for the opportunity and everyone involved with New York Empire team."

A Cannes debutant, Jessica Mendoza talked of the feeling of jumping here: “It’s my first time here in Cannes and really couldn’t be happier with how tonight unfolded. After the first round we knew we were in the running. I knew I had to produce a quick clear in round two, and sitting watching the other teams behind us fall behind us kept us on the edge of our seat up until the end.”

The Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian team climbed their way up the rankings from third to firmly into the lead of the overall ranking. “It was a bit difficult out there today, both rounds were very delicate with faults everywhere,” team anchor Pieter Devos explained. “We had some really good results this season already and came here wanting to protect our position on the leaderboard, so to get higher and now to have the armband - we couldn’t be happier.“

Cannes threw the 2026 GCL overall ranking battle wide open. Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team emerge from stage five at the summit on 89 points, but with Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team breathing down their necks just one point adrift and Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois only three points off the lead, the title fight is more intense than ever. New York Empire powered by Lugano were the big movers of the weekend, rocketing into fourth after their Cannes triumph, while Monaco Aces remain firmly in the hunt as the top five teams are now separated by just 13 points heading into the next Riviera showdown in St Tropez.