On the second day of the GC Prague Playoffs, the field was cut in half as the remaining teams earned their place in the all-or-nothing GCL Super Cup Final. Photo © Jenny A Photo for World of Showjumping.
Press release from Global Champions League, edited by World of Showjumping
The GCL Super Cup Semi Final ignited a breathtaking surge of drama and high emotion, perfectly setting the tone for Sunday’s eagerly awaited Final. On this crucial second day of the GC Prague Playoffs, the knockout format delivered tension at every turn, cutting the field in half as the remaining teams earned their place in the all-or-nothing GCL Super Cup Final.
Shockwaves rippled through the packed O2 arena as powerhouse squads including the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames and the Shanghai Swans saw their Playoffs journeys come to a sudden halt. Meanwhile, the 2023 GCL Super Cup Champions Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym surged to a decisive Semi Final victory, claiming the prime start position for Sunday’s Final and reaffirming their status as the team to beat.
GCL Super Cup Final qualified teams:
- Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym
- Basel Cosmopolitans
- New York Empire powered by Lugano
- Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team
- Rome Gladiators powered by Cavalleria Toscana
- Valkenswaard United
The Semi-Final produced a defining shake-up in the leaderboard, with only the top six teams securing their coveted places in the 2025 GCL Super Cup Final - while positions 7 through 12 saw their Playoffs campaigns come to an end.
Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym - the 2023 GCL Super Cup champions - kept fans and team owner Ludger Beerbaum on edge throughout the afternoon. Christian Kukuk (GER) and Checker 47 (Comme Il Faut x Come On) opened with 4 faults in 67.27, followed by a brilliant clear round from Maximilian Weishaupt (GER) on Zuccero HV (VDL Zirocco Blue x Caretino) in 67.21 seconds. Philipp Weishaupt (GER), closing the team’s campaign on Oreo D.R (Kannan x Balougran), added 4 faults in 67.30 seconds. Their combined 8 faults secured first place in the Semi-Final.
Joining them in the Final, the Basel Cosmopolitans claimed second place on 12 faults. Andreas Schou (DEN) and Napoli vh Nederassenthof (President x Quasimodo Z) posted 8 faults in 70.58 seconds, Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Katoloun (Toulon x Celano) jumped clear in 70.00 seconds, and Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida (POR) aboard Karonia.L (Harley x G-Ramiro Z) added 4 faults in 67.90 seconds.
New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds claimed third, finishing on 16 faults. Denis Lynch (IRL) and Cordial (Casall x Chicago Z) collected 4 faults in 70.79 seconds, while Bertram Allen (IRL) with Pacino Amiro (Pacino x NC Amiro) rode a sharp round adding 4 faults in 68.49 seconds. Scott Brash (GBR) on Hello Jefferson (Cooper van de Heffinck x Irco Mena) contributed 8 faults in 67.03 seconds.
Then