Basel Cosmopolitans Complete Stunning Comeback to Win GCL Riesenbeck as Championship Battle Takes Another Twist
Mdmar – Riesenbeck – GCL
The unpredictability of the GCL was on full display in Riesenbeck as Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois produced one of the comeback performances of the 2026 season, climbing from ninth after Round 1 to claim a sensational Stage 9 victory in front of a stunned crowd.
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Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois made history in spectacular fashion by claiming their first-ever GCL victory, producing a flawless second-round performance to take the Stage 9 title in Riesenbeck. The first event following the mid-season transfer window delivered drama from start to finish as Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Zascha Nygaard both jumped faultless rounds to seal a remarkable comeback. Pole position sitters Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team were forced to settle for second after two costly rails in the second round, while Doha Falcons completed the podium in third.
A beaming Marlon Zanotelli analysed the team performance to GCTV, he said, “We’re very, very happy. It was a bit unexpected, to be honest, but we tried to put the pressure on and it worked out today. In jumping, every rider and every horse has to do their job, and today everyone delivered.”
As for the championship? He added: “It’s been game on from day one. Hopefully we can keep this momentum going, keep producing results like this, and continue the fight for the championship.”
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A flying visit for team manager Andreas Schou, who is not himself competing for the Basel Cosmopolitans, Zascha talked of the support he gives each and every team member, “Andreas Schou is a great support. He’s always watching how the class develops, giving us good tips, and doing everything he can to help us perform at our best.”
Winners of the GCL of Riesenbeck in 2025, Henrik von Eckermann spoke of the teams second place: “It’s great to be jumping alongside this team. It’s a shame we finished with two rails because that meant we couldn’t fight for the win, but that’s the sport and that’s what makes it exciting.”
And on his approach in Round 2, he added “Marlon was very, very quick, so I knew going fast with one rail wasn’t really an option. I tried to play it safe, but unfortunately it didn’t work.”
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Horsepower for the GCL is always a calling card for the teams at the top, Istanbul teammate Abdel Said spoke of his mount, “He’s still a little bit green, but I think he really took on the challenge well. We need to keep producing our horses because it’s a long season. I’m very happy with my decision to ride him today and I hope he’ll be even better next time.”
Sanne Thijssen of the third place Doha Falcons spoke volumes of what the GCL is all about. She said, “It’s always great to ride on the team in the GCL, the sense of camaraderie is something special. Being able to bounce ideas and thoughts off each other really makes us able to achieve results like this at the biggest shows of the year.”
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GCL 2026 Championship Standings after Riesenbeck
Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym – 171 points
Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois – 156 points
Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team – 151 points
Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team – 144 points
Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames – 133 points
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The second half of the 2026 GCL Championship exploded into life in spectacular fashion as Stage 9 in Riesenbeck delivered one of the biggest twists of the season so far. Following the mid-season transfer window, new rider combinations immediately found themselves under pressure, while several title contenders suffered costly setbacks in a dramatic Round 1 that could had major implications in the championship race.
With refreshed team line-ups making their competitive debuts following the transfer window, all eyes were on how the new partnerships would gel under championship pressure. Some settled instantly, while others were tested by Peter Schumacher’s demanding 1.60m test.
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After a dramatic opening round had seen championship heavyweights Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym, Valkenswaard United and Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames all not qualifying for the second round, the battle for maximum championship points was blown wide open. The reverse-order format once again proved why the GCL remains one of the most exciting competitions in the sport, with the teams under the greatest pressure delivering some of the day’s finest performances.
Basel entered Round 2 carrying eight penalties after Nicola Philippaerts’ costly rail in the opening round, but with a fresh pair of combinations taking to the arena they had nothing to lose. Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Ilex laid the perfect foundation with a faultless round before Zascha Nygaard announced himself in spectacular style, producing another clear aboard Com’On Drako de Maugre to complete a flawless team performance.
Their combined Round 2 time of 144.70 seconds proved untouchable, vaulting Basel from ninth to the top step of the podium and delivering one of the biggest turnarounds of the championship so far.
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The pressure then shifted to the leaders after round 1.
The Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team had looked almost unbeatable after producing the only double clear in Round 1, but defending a lead is often harder than chasing one. Abdel Saïd, switching onto Wathnan Max for the second round, clipped a rail before Henrik von Eckermann also incurred four faults with Qasirah van de Reistenhoek. Their total of eight penalties in Round 2 left them with an overall score of eight faults, enough for second place but not enough to deny Basel’s remarkable comeback.
It was all smiles for Doha Falcons who completed the podium after another impressive display. Sanne Thijssen once again delivered exactly what her team needed with a second consecutive clear aboard Joviality, while Caroline Rehoff Pedersen battled home with ten penalties aboard Polonis L. Their overall score of 14 penalties secured third place and valuable championship points.
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With the teams returning in reverse order from the first round standings, every performance changed the complexion of the leaderboard.
Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team, who had started Round 2 in second place after conceding only time faults in Round 1, looked perfectly placed to capitalise on the elimination of several championship rivals. However, it wasn’t their day as Anna Kellnerová and Kristalline des Bergeries, collected 19 penalties. Fernando Martinez Sommer added four faults with Joep, leaving the Lions tumbling down the order after looking capable of taking maximum points.
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St Tropez Pirates, who had been third after round 1, also couldn’t maintain their position. Jeanne Sadran and Gloire Gravelotte collected eight penalties before Jérôme Guery’s Kiliman Sitte added twelve more, dropping the Pirates out of podium contention despite Antoine Ermann’s superb clear in Round 1.
There were impressive recoveries elsewhere. New York Empire powered by Lugano climbed into fourth after Bertram Allen produced a quick four-fault round aboard Pacino Amiro before Scott Brash added another four time faults aboard Hello Folie.
Madrid In Motion secured fifth thanks largely to a breathtaking clear from Victor Bettendorf aboard Qwando van de Rispen in just 68.30 seconds, the fastest round of the afternoon. Jack Whitaker’s 12 penalties with Skyfall OS prevented an even higher finish, but Bettendorf’s performance demonstrated the attacking approach required under GCL pressure.
New team for 2026 Cairo Pharaohs finished sixth after Nayel Nassar delivered another dependable performance aboard Orphea HQ with four faults before Pim Mulder added eight penalties. Riyadh Knights claimed seventh, while Monaco Aces, St Tropez Pirates and Prague Lions rounded out the top ten after difficult second rounds.
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It was a performance that perfectly encapsulated everything the GCL is about – strategy, squad depth, new talent and dramatic momentum swings. Just when it appeared Istanbul Warriors had one hand on the trophy after Round 1, Basel Cosmopolitans produced two flawless rounds when it mattered most, reminding everyone that in GCL, nothing is decided until the very last horse leaves the arena.
With the championship battle now closer than ever, attention turns to GCL London, where the world’s best teams head to the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea for Stage 10 of the 2026 season. Just a handful of points separating the leading teams, the race for the 2026 GCL Championship promises another thrilling chapter as the Tour returns to the British capital from 7 – 9 August 2026.
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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
