Edited press release from Global Champions League

Friday's CSI5* 1.60m GCL of Cannes presented by Volvo Cavallari was a blockbuster, with drama right down to the final fence as Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses took the win and the red GCL ranking leader's armband from the home team Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames by just a single point. Part of the team in round one were Antoine Ermann (FRA) on Odin Van't Hanegoor (Kiekeboe x Thunder vd Zuuthoeve) and Nicola Philippaerts on Derby de Riverland (Kannan L'Arc de Triomphe), while in round two it was Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) on H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo's Hallo) and Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) on Katanga v/h Dingeshof (Cardento x Tornedo FCS) that were in action – the experienced anchors delivering two clear rounds to secure the victory. 

In pole position after round one, Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland couldn’t convert it to a win in round two; Christian Kukuk (GER) on Mumbai (Diamant de Semilly x Nabab de Reve) and Philipp Schulze Topphoff (GER) riding Carla NRW (Comme Il Faut x Potsdam NRW) had to settle for second place on a total score of eight faults. Madrid In Motion’s team of Mark McAuley (IRL) on Destinee de Vains (Untouchable x Tlaloc M) and GRS Lady Amaro (Amaretto d'Arco x Over the River) as well as Maikel van der Vleuten aboard Elwikke (Eldorado vd Zeshoek x Quick Star) secured yet another podium by taking the third place, also they on eight faults.

There was a major shuffle on the overall rankings, as teams continue to fight to stay in the top four and fast track their way through to the GCL Super Cup Semi-Final at the GC Riyadh Playoffs. Taking the lead for the first time this year, Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses sit first on 137 points while long time leaders Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames has slipped into second on 136 points. Madrid In Motion stay in third on 123 points while last year’s champions Riesenbeck International has catapulted up the rankings to fourth place on 122 points.