Edited press release from Global Champions League

Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses claimed the coveted €6.5 million GCL Super Cup 2024 title with Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) on H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo's Hallo), Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) on Katanga v/h Dingeshof (Cardento x Tornedo FSC) and Julien Epaillard (FRA) aboard Donatello d'Auge (Jarnac x Hello Pierville) delivering flawless performances, while Shanghai Swans’ Ben Maher (GBR) riding Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou du Rouet), Daniel Deusser (GER) on Killer Queen VDM (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) and Max Kühner (AUT) on Elektric Blue P (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x For Pleasure) had to settle for second place. 

“It is the world's best horses and riders here," Nicola Philippaerts – the first rider ever to win two GCL Super Cup titles as he also topped the podium in 2021 with London Knights – told GCTV. "I am very honoured that I have always been in very good teams in the GCL. I think for sure Stockholm Hearts is a fantastic team and through the year we struggled left and right but we really focused on coming here with the best team and today was unbelievable. We have such a strong team spirit which is also crucial.”

Malin Bayard-Johnsson beamed with joy: “This victory has erased any disappointment this season – it is just fantastic this one show totally has that power. I think every rider riding today felt the pressure and I think everybody was 200% focused. Today was very important. We put pressure on ourselves but we don’t put pressure on each other. It's a good atmosphere in the team for sure”. 

Mid-season signing for the Stockholm Hearts, Julien Epaillard played a crucial role as the last to go: “I feel good with the result but yeah it was a bit of pressure on me, I was last to go when Malin decided the team order for us. My horse has only jumped clear rounds all weekend so we are so happy." 

From third placed team Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland, Philipp Weishaupt smiled: “We have the best riders in the world here and the best sport and I think to watch this competition was extremely exciting and the form is fantastic – I am a big, big fan of the Playoffs. Overall we are extremely delighted with the results. Today, Stockholm Hearts were very difficult to beat, they were just in their own league. With no scratch results and every result counts, every single jump has to be on the spot, there is no room for mistakes.”