Edited press release from Global Champions League

Continuing their phenomenal form, Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian won their fifth stage of the 2023 GCL-season under the lights in the port of Monaco. 

Extending their GCL-championship lead even further, Christian Kukuk on Just Be Gentle (Tyson x Ticallux Verte) and Patrick Stühlmeyer with Drako de Maugre (Kannan x Fusain du Defey*HN) stormed to victory in round two, leveling the record of most wins in a season at just over the halfway point. Kukuk jumped clear in both rounds of the competition, first with Mumbai (Diamant de Semilly x Nabab de Reve), and then with Just Be Gentle, while Stühlmeyer had a single rail down the first time out.

In round two, Paris Panthers duo of Harrie Smolders riding Monaco (Cassini II x Contender) and Ioli Mytilineou onboard Levis de Muze (Elvis ter Putte x Tinka's Boy) secured second place as the only other team to finish both rounds on a score of four – with just a single rail down from Smolders in the second round of the competition.

The final spot on the podium went to Rome Gladiators powered by Clip My Horse.TV. As a new recruit, Jérôme Guery and Cristel (Diamant de Semilly x Dobel's Cento) jumped a foot perfect clear in round two while Shane Breen picked up a rail in each round aboard Haya (Mylord Carthago x For Pleasure) after Michael Duffy and Cinca (Casall x Carthago) had been clear in round one.

The picturesque city-state of Monaco, renowned for its glitz and glamour, provided an ideal setting as Charlene, Princess of Monaco, and Charlotte Casiraghi presented the awards. The iconic Port Hercule served as the backdrop to the thrilling competition, creating a truly remarkable atmosphere for the sold-out crowd. 

A speechless Christian Kukuk told GCTV: “The wave took us to Monaco tonight, I keep asking myself the same question of how we keep doing this. I am a little bit speechless, we equalled the record and we are only halfway through the season. I am very happy and proud of Patrick, he has only just joined the team and there was a little bit of pressure after our good results. I know it's never over after the first round, there is always a lot happening in the second round and it is a very exciting sport until the end.”