Edited press release from GCL

The third stage of the 2023 Global Champions League was set against the backdrop of one of the most vibrant and colorful cities in the world; Mexico City. 

Under the extraordinary giant Mexican flag fluttering over the arena, the team contest got underway with thousands of spectators creating a vibrant atmosphere. The course on the immaculate grass arena at Campo Marte set a serious test, and it was Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland that secured the top spot after faultless rounds from U25 rider Philipp Schulze Topphoff on Clemens de la Lande (Comme Il Faut x For Pleasure) and Christian Kukuk with the consistent Mumbai (Diamant de Semlly x Nabab de Reve).

Paris Panthers duo Jur Vrieling on Comme-Laude W (Comme Il Faut x Diagonal) and Gregory Wathelet on Ace of Hearts (Aliandro B x Ramanov ESH) slid into second place as the fastest team on eight faults just ahead of last week’s winners in Miami — Madrid In Motion’s power pair Maikel van der Vleuten and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar.

Following the accidents of team leader Ludger Beerbaum in Doha, and Philipp Weishaupt at home, Philipp Schulze Topphoff – Riesenbeck International’s U25 rider – had some big shoes to fill. With a beaming smile, he said: “The shoes I have to step in are so big, it's unbelievable. We did really good and it was one of the first shows of the GCL for me, and yes we came in not too good last week, but our come back was not too bad I guess.”

Kukuk explained: “What should I say, I have a great horse, but like I said today, we really have to be proud of Philipp. The job he did today was unbelievable – putting a double clear for me to go last… I knew I could even have one down and we could win. I had a very good feeling on Mumbai in the first round and I knew he gets better and better over the rounds. It is incredible how many people are awake at 2am to watch Riesenbeck International at a show in Mexico. That’s what it is about – the emotion and the other people in the team who are really behind us. We need them and it is just nice to know.”

Riesenbeck International now hold top spot in the GCL Championship race on 70 points taking the ranking leading armbands off Madrid In Motion that now have 67 points. St Tropez Pirates sits third on 63 points, and after today’s second place Paris Panthers pounce into fourth place in the overall champions with 58 points.