GCL Madrid Shake-Up: Title Race Blown Wide Open with Prague Lions Win

Mdmar – Madrid – GCL

A dramatic showdown unfolded at the iconic Club de Campo Villa de Madrid as Prague Lions powered by the Czech Equestrian Team rose to victory in the 2026 GCL of Madrid presented by Marques de Riscal, edging out Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team in a nail-biting finish that kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.

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Delivering when it mattered most, Niels Bruynseels aboard Oaky Flandria and Fernando Martinez Sommer with Lady van de Haarterhoeve combined for a decisive performance, supported by a lightning-fast opening round from Thibeau Spits on Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z. Holding their nerve under relentless pressure, the trio delivered across both rounds to secure the win on a single time fault in a contest where every second counted.

Under warm Madrid skies, the latest stage of the 2026 GCL Championship delivered intensity from start to finish. With no margin for error in the fast-paced two-round format, the leaderboard constantly shifted, underlining the razor-thin margins at the top and setting the tone for an electrifying European leg.

Delivering when it mattered most, the Prague Lions rose to the top in Madrid with a performance defined by precision, teamwork and composure under pressure. Anchoring the team’s success, Fernando Martinez Sommer reflected on just how important this result could be in the context of the championship race: “Getting maximum points here in Madrid was absolutely crucial for us, so I’m incredibly proud of the team today. Everyone delivered when it mattered, and that’s what makes the difference at this level. It’s hard to sum up our team spirit in one word, but the atmosphere between us is just fantastic – there’s real support, real trust, and you feel that in the ring. It’s still a long championship ahead, but this is exactly the kind of result we need, and we’ll keep pushing all the way.”

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Adding to the winning effort, Niels Bruynseels praised both his teammates and the unique atmosphere of competing in the Spanish capital, highlighting what makes victory in Madrid so special: “I probably didn’t make it easy for Fernando – I kept the pressure on a bit! But when you have teammates like this, it gives you confidence to go out and do your job. Madrid is always a highlight for me, it’s one of my favourite shows. The crowd is unbelievable, the arena is beautiful, and everything for the horses is top class. It’s a special place to win, for sure.”

Pushing all the way to the final line, Istanbul Warriors made it clear they were in the hunt for top honours from start to finish. Reflecting on a hard-fought result, Abdel Saïd highlighted the team’s determination and fighting spirit: “Honestly, that was a proper fight right to the end. My horse gave me everything. Of course you always want the win, but to come away with a podium and leading the championship is a great feeling.”

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Backing it up with a strong second round, Simon Delestre emphasised the technical demands of the track and the importance of bouncing back when it mattered most: “It was a tough track, technical and quick, so you had to be really precise. I’m happy with how my horse jumped in the second round. The level is so high, margins are tiny, but this gives us a lot of confidence going forward for the rest of the season.”

Home favourites Madrid in Motion rose to the occasion in front of the Spanish crowd, producing a composed performance to secure third place on home soil. Maikel van der Vleuten pointed to the importance of consistency across both rounds: “It was a challenging class and you really had to stay focused from start to finish. A podium in Madrid is always special, especially in front of this crowd.”

For Sergio Álvarez Moya, competing in Madrid brought an extra layer of motivation, with the Spanish rider proud to deliver for the home fans: “Riding here at home always means a bit more, so I really wanted to deliver for the team. To finish on the podium in Madrid is something to be proud of, and we’ll keep building from here!”

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The championship battle tightened dramatically after Madrid, with Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team and Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois now locked at the top of the leaderboard on 69 points apiece. Hot on their heels, Prague Lions powered by  the Czech Equestrian Team surge into third with 68 points following their victory, keeping the pressure firmly on the leaders. Just behind, Valkenswaard United sit in fourth on 67.5, while St Tropez Pirates round out the top five on 65 points, underlining just how close and competitive this year’s title race is becoming.

Round 1 proved a ruthless filter in Madrid, with the pressure of the tight time allowed and technical track catching out a number of teams and ultimately deciding who would miss out on a place in the second round of the showdown. In a class where clears were at a premium, only one double clear was produced across the entire field by Prague Lions, underlining just how demanding the course rode. As a result, the margins were brutal, and there was no room for error for those on the edge of qualification.

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Monaco Aces narrowly missed the cut after accumulating 16 faults, despite a solid clear from Duarte Seabra, while Scandinavian Vikings also finished on 16 faults, unable to recover from early mistakes. It was the same story for New York Empire, who found themselves just outside qualification on 20 faults, alongside Riesenbeck International and Mexico Amigos, both also finishing on 20 and unable to stay in contention. Further down the order, Cairo Pharaohs endured a difficult round, picking up 32 faults to end their hopes of progressing, while Rome Gladiators saw their campaign come to an abrupt halt after an elimination in the opening round, bringing an early end to their challenge in Madrid.

First to return for round two, Caroline Rehoff Pedersen aboard Polonis L for Doha Falcons picked up four faults at the same troublesome line out of the double, adding to their round one total. With the pressure on, Jessica Mendoza, switching to Ascadina PP Z, delivered a composed clear to hold the team on a final total of 20 faults, leaving them with a long wait in tenth place for now. 

Looking to build on their Mexico success, St Tropez Pirates’ Jeanne Sadran set off with intent on Cepano Baloubet, but hit the same line as earlier teams before two more rails followed, adding 12 faults. A horse change for Antoine Ermann paid off as he produced a flawless clear on Jiamo VDS, bringing the team home on 40 faults.

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A sharp clear from Emanuele Gaudiano with Nikolaj de Music put the Riyadh Knights firmly back in contention. Backed up by another foot-perfect round from Olivier Perreau aboard GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly, they became the first team to post a double clear in round two, finishing on 16 faults overall. Wearing the championship armband, Valkenswaard United’s Edwina Tops-Alexander with Caetlin vd Heffinck Z couldn’t quite find a rhythm, with three fences down. Gilles Thomas followed on Qiara de Kalvarie, unlucky to have just one rail, leaving the team on a total of 28 faults.

A shock moment as Olivier Philippaerts saw Miro clip the GC upright, putting them on the back foot for Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois. But Zascha Nygaard, riding Com’On Drako de Maugre, answered immediately with a smooth clear to steady the team, who completed on 16 faults.It proved costly for Shanghai Swans’ Giacomo Casadei with Corradiena van’t Klein Asdonk Z, as three fences fell under pressure. While Max Kühner, stepped up with Greece 5, delivered a vital clear to limit the damage, but they finished on 20 faults sliding in behind Basel. 

Opting not to return for round two the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames forced to settle for tenth place overall as it counts as an elimination. The home crowd erupted as Maikel van der Vleuten produced a sensational clear aboard Quastor vd Heffinck, setting the tone for Madrid In Motion. New signing Sergio Álvarez Moya, riding Quadrado, picked up two agonising time faults, but it was enough to secure a podium finish on 6 faults.

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All eyes were on Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team as Abdel Saïd with Wathnan Zasou vom Claashof, who held his nerve but added a costly time fault, meaning a clear was required. Under pressure, Simon Delestre delivered exactly that with Gatsby du Tillard, sealing second place on 5 faults.
Last to go Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team,  Niels Bruynseels with Oaky Flandria picked up a single time fault, keeping the door open. The tension built to the final round as Fernando Martinez Sommer, riding Lady van de Haarterhoeve, produced a clutch clear when it mattered most – securing the win on just 1 fault.

Madrid sets the tone, but there’s no time to pause. The spotlight now swings to the electric atmosphere of Cannes (4–6 June 2026), where the next chapter of the GCL will unfold on the Riviera. With momentum building and rivalries heating up, the championship fight is only just getting started.

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