Edited press release from GCL

In Cannes, the Global Champions League celebrated its 100th stage – presented by Volvo – and it was Christian Kukuk (GER) on Just Be Gentle (Tyson x Ticallux Verte) and Philipp Schulze Topphoff (GER) on Carla (Comme Il Faut x Potsdam NRW) who managed to secure the win for Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian.

"I want to keep the red ranking armband for longer than only one show because we have given it away already three times this year," Kukuk said. "When I watched the class, I got a little nervous – I have a 9-year-old horse and I don't know her very well on this level. I only have her for a few months now, but when I went in the ring and Philipp crossed the line with a clear round I thought ok, now is the moment to slow down and concentrate. I must stay, what my horse did in the end was just incredible and we have all the reasons to be very, very happy tonight."

Last to go and fresh off their win in St Tropez last week, New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds had to settle for second with outstanding rounds under pressure from Denis Lynch (IRL) on PSS Levilensky (Levisonn x Cornet Obolensky), Spencer Smith (USA) on Theodore Manciais (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Power Light), as well as Frank Schuttert (NED) and Hawaii-S (Inshallah de Muze x Vermont). 

In their strongest finish for 2023’s championship race so far, Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem rounded out the podium with two stellar clear rounds from Andreas Schou on Darc De Lux (Darco x Contender) and I Know (Arezzo VDL x Hors La Loi) as well as Ömer Karaevli on Maurice (Thunder van de Zuuthoeve x Eros Platiere) and Policeman 2 (Perigueux x Acord II), earning them crucial points.  

Once again Riesenbeck International takes the lead in the overall season standings – after a 50% win rate this season, now on 132 points. Paris Panthers jumped into second on 128 points while Madrid In Motion has moved down to third on 122 points.