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

In the shadow of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in the heart of London, Daniel Deusser (GER) on Otello de Guldenboom (Tobago Z x Caretino) and Gangster v/h Noddevelt (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x  Careful) together with Ben Maher (GBR) on Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou du Rouet) and Ginger-Blue (Plot Blue x Royal Bravour) led the Shanghai Swans to their third victory of the 2025 GCL-season. 

Shanghai Swans rose to the top of the leaderboard in thrilling fashion, earning coveted points during stage 9 of the season. The GCL calendar’s month-long, mid-summer break meant than many riders came in with fresh horses, while multiple teams debuted new combinations following this year’s mid-season transfer window. 

Maher said he was relishing every minute at GCL London: “We don’t get too many chances, here, to ride at home, so it’s always great for me [and] to have all my family here this week. This is very close to home, a great city, and a great start to the week - thank you to Daniel [Deusser]!”

Deusser, for his part, echoed his teammate’s sentiments. “Of course, in the situation today, when we are last to go in, I’m first to jump, and there’s only one rider left, then it’s very good to have someone like Ben behind us,” he said. “The pressure is high, you have to jump clear or four, and to have Point Break and Ben as the last rider to go is for sure an advantage.”

Earning the competition’s second-lowest score of 12, the Basel Cosmopolitans became the story of the day when they made one of the biggest moves in GCL history, jumping from 16th place after round one, to second place on the podium. This was thanks to clear jumping efforts from Zascha Nygaard Lill (DEN) and Partner in Crime (Pelgrim- K x Grandeur) and Jana Wargers aboard Dorette OLD (Dollar du Murier x Fighting Alpha). 

Rounding out the podium, the Mexico Amigos powered by H5 Stables also climbed the ranks significantly, jumping from 11th place on a score of 12 into third after the second round. They, too, earned back-to-back clear rounds in round two from Petronella Andersson (SWE) and Opaline De W&S (Etoulon x Zirocco Blue VDL) and Emilie Conter (BEL), who put in a valiant clear round with Portobella van de Fruitkorf (Bamako de Muze x Nabab de Reve).