Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames Claim Victory in Their Debut GCL Championship Season
Mdmar – Rabat – GCL
During the highly competitive final GCL battle of the 2024 season, the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames emerged victorious in a thrilling debut, securing the 2024 Championship title and making an extraordinary mark in their first-ever GCL season. The Cannes Stars rose to the occasion, claiming their share of the prestigious €8.5 million Championship prize in Rabat, Morocco.
Denying Riesenbeck International powered by Kinsgland Equestrian what would be their third GCL Championship win in a row, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmerman, Natalie Dean and Sophie Hinners aboard their superstar mounts respectively Messi Van’t Ruytershof, Acota M and Iron Dames Singclair powered through rounds one and two, leaving the team managed by Ludger Beerbaum settling for second place by 20 points.
Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses took the final spot on the podium just 11 points behind second, while Doha Falcons secured fourth place in 252 points, meaning they are the last team to qualify straight for the GCL Super Cup Semi-Final at the GC Playoffs in November, crucially skipping the knock-out Quarter Final.
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
Filled with thrills and spills, the GCL of Rabat presented by Years of Culture as part of Qatar-Morocco 2024 left spectators on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV of Lorenzo de Luca, Kyle Timm and Micheal Duffy delivered the only double clear of the day to win the Rabat stage of the year in style but it was too late in the season to secure a top 4 finish in the overall championship. Stockholm Hearts consisting of Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Julien Epaillard and Olivier Philippaerts finished second as the fastest team on four faults just ahead of the power house team Shanghai Swans consisting of Daniel Deausser, Ben Maher and Max Kühner.
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
The victory in the heart of Morocco’s Capital city has added an illustrious chapter to Cannes Stars’ history as the presentation party of Jan Tops and Abdulrahman Saleh N Al-ATTIYA, 1st Secretary at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Rabat (representing Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture) presented awards to the grooms of Sebastian Hasenberg, Kiki Motycakova and Theo Simpson who also won the Championship for their team.
As well as taking the lion’s share of the €8.5 million Championship prize in Rabat, the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames also take home the GCL Grand Prize presented by Hilton Luxury Brands, a once in a lifetime trip awarded to all 6 members of the winning team. A five day holiday to each discover a haven of luxury and tranquility at the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, and as the only member of the team to have been to the Seychelles before, Natalie Dean said “It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I can not wait to go back.”
Speaking of the Championship win, u25 rider Dean went on to add, “It’s been a dream come true. All of us have Deborah to thank for everything. Her support means so much to us and we couldn’t do it without her. And to be the first all-female team ever to win the GCL is just a dream come true. This has really been a big dream and a big goal for our team to show that an all-female team can win. And for us to do it in the first season is just incredible.”
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
President and Founder of GCL Jan Tops spoke of the first ever Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL event on the African continent. Speaking of the setup and event itself, he said, “The footing, the stabling, everything here in Rabat is of the highest standard. Thanks to the Federation and the Royal Family for their support with this fantastic Finals. And I must also thank Longines, for making this happen, and Years Of Culture, Qatar-Morocco 2024, without them we could not have done what we are doing today, we have made something really unique and special.”
He added, “Congratulations to the Iron Dames, what they did is amazing. When you enter the first year, against all these teams which have a lot of experience on this level, to win this whole series, not only one class, that’s a really incredible performance. I believe they cannot do it without someone who really supports them. I think Deborah Meyer did it from the beginning, first class, managing, and being very professional. I think all our teams can learn from what they did.”
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
An emotional Cannes Stars team founder Deborah Mayer spoke proudly of her team winning the Championship title, she said “I have no words. I have so many emotions. It’s really amazing. Natalie, Sophie, Janne, Sanne, Kim and Katrin have been amazing. It’s a huge honour that we receive. We follow our passion. And show jumping, the equestrian the world, is our passion. What has been achieved is just amazing, beyond words. I have no words to express how I feel and the huge immense pride I have for what the whole team has achieved.”
Sophie Hinners smiled and went on to add, “I think when we all started this year no one would have expected that it would go so well. Only in 12 months we are here and standing on top of the overall ranking. It makes us really proud and really excited to look into the future of what will be possible.”
Speaking in the standing-room-only press conference room Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann: “For me as a mom, I never met somebody like Deborah before. For her it was the most normal thing that I bring my son and that he is also part of this big Iron Dames family, and that’s something that is completely new to the sport and I think that is also something that makes the difference. It’s really special and inspiring. Today we got so many well wishes from so many different people, and that is so unique. I think I speak for all of us when we say that the honour is on our side.”
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
Talking on behalf of Riesenbeck International, second place in the Championship Philipp Weishaupt said: “What the Cannes Stars did was incredible this season. I don’t think there is one single rider who doesn’t believe that it was more than well deserved. It was a great final today and we will be back to fight next year!”
His fellow teammate Christian Kukuk showed his renowned competitive spirit, adding, “It feels a little bit disappointing to come ‘only second’ after winning the championship for the past two years. But I must say today was a perfect reflection of our year. We had a single unlucky rail in the second round where the luck was just not quite on our side. The Cannes Stars had that luck on their side for this year but there is another year coming next year and we will be back to fight again to win the overall championship.”
Rounding off the podium Olivier Philippaerts explained: “The main goal for the Stockholm Hearts was to make sure we stay in the top four and we did that! Now we have to sit down and see what the plans are next year for team H&M.”
Final 2024 GCL Season Standings:
Cannes Stars: 301 points
Riesenbeck International: 281 points
Stockholm Hearts: 270 points
Doha Falcons: 252 points
Prague Lions: 251 points
Rome Gladiators: 248.5 points
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
Uliano Vezzani crafted an exceptional course for the Championship Final in Rabat, incorporating a challenging triple combination and a related distance in front of the VIP hospitality, proving to be one of the most impactful elements. Round 1 saw an impressive eight teams on zero penalty points, it was still anyone’s game in Round 2 as riders battled it out round the 1.60m course in their last opportunity to secure points in this year’s Championship.
With the Cannes Stars already taking the championship win after completing round 1, the pressure was off them and Riesenbeck International but the fight was on for the last remaining two spots in the all important top four of the GCL Championship race. The Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team, fielded Pieter Devos on Casual Dv Z first. He rode a smooth round despite a rail on the penultimate fence. Thibeau Spits on Impress-K van ‘t Kattenheye with the same rail down as teammate Devos meant the team finished on 12 penalties. Ultimately not holding onto their top four place and finished a gut-wrenching single point outside the top in the Championship, meaning they don’t get a fast track to the Semi Finals in the GCL Super Cup next month.
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
Doha Falcons opted for Wilm Vermeir riding Iq van het Steentje. Even with a rail down, the team still had two rails in hand over Prague Lions. Teammate Julien Anquetin set off quickly on Blood Diamond du Pont, despite a rail on the final fence, the Falcons secured the top four finish in the overall season standings, earning their fast track to the Semi Finals in the GCL Super Cup in Riyadh.
Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses were next to go, looking to secure their third place in the overall standings. First up was Malin Baryard-Johnsson on H&M Indiana. One rail on course meant the team slipped behind the Rome Gladiators in round 2. Teammate Julien Epillard on Donatello d’Auge delivered a stellar round, coming home on a clean sheet. The team finished on 4 penalties, guaranteeing their third place in the Championship.
The top four teams in the GCL 2024 Standings earned direct entry to the Semi-Finals of the GCL Super Cup at the GC Riyadh Playoffs gaining them a huge advantage for the €10 million showdown.
After an eventful season that saw the 2024 GCL Champion identified as Cannes Stars, journeying from Mexico to Madrid, Miami Beach to Monaco, riders are now setting their sights on Riyadh for the ultimate final showdown of the year. It’s their final opportunity to vie for record-breaking prize money at the GC Riyadh Playoffs
“mdmar” website for horse races and equestrian News
The “Mdmar” website 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.
