Press release from Longines Global Champions Tour, edited by World of Showjumping

For a second week in a row, a nine-year-old horse captured the CSI5* 1.60m Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix crown. This time it was Kilmister’s (Diarado x Hors la Loi II) turn, and the partnership with Philipp Weishaupt (GER) was simply untouchable in the iconic venue in Autria’s capital Vienna.

“I am not just saying this because I won, and I can’t say it’s my favourite as I am from Riesenbeck, but we are lucky enough to jump at lots of incredible venues around the world… but this? This is by far the most incredible, alongside Riesenbeck of course,” said Weishaupt, visibly moved by the grandeur of Vienna’s return to the Tour. “When you have Peder Fredricson behind you, you never really know what is to come and what will happen, but being 1.2 seconds faster than Monaco and Harrie Smolders… We know we did a pretty good job.”

Against the majestic baroque backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna unfolded in truly unforgettable fashion.

Harrie Smolders (NED) and Monaco (Cassini II x Contender), winners already this season in Cannes and Valkenswaard, once again rose to the occasion to finish runner-up. Reflecting on the class, Smolders said: “The sport this weekend has been fantastic, a super jump-off last night and now again 12 in the jump-off tonight. Sport at a very, very high level and it really makes all the difference. Tonight you had to ride it very precisely – there were lots of options and decisions to make.”

Third place went to Ireland’s Bertram Allen with the talented nine-year-old Qonquest de Rigo (Fantomas de Muze x Indoctro), marking a special return to the LGCT spotlight for the youngest ever LGCT Grand Prix winner on the Tour. “I am absolutely delighted – he is a young horse and I was so impressed with his step up today. When you’re against some of the best in the world, there is only so much you can hope for, and this is definitely it. It was a very technical jump-off actually and to be honest, everything went to plan today,” said Allen.

For Weishaupt, this victory also meant the coveted Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs. “Prague is my favourite week of the year without a doubt. The most emotional day in my sporting career was winning the GCL Super Cup in 2023, and I am so pleased to be back jumping the LGCT Super Grand Prix in 2025,” he said.

In the overall Longines Global Champions Tour standings, Gilles Thomas (BEL) retains the leader’s armband on 261 points, despite skipping Vienna. Christian Kukuk (GER) edged closer in second on 206 points, while Andreas Schou (DEN) held firm in third with 182 points. Harrie Smolders (NED) and Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) round off the top five as the race tightens with just three events left and the pressure mounting.