Mexico Amigos Strike Gold in London as Husband-and-Wife Duo Lead Historic GCL Victory
Mdmar – London
The spectacular backdrop of Royal Hospital Chelsea provided the perfect stage as the GCL returned to the heart of London for another unforgettable evening of elite team competition. With packed grandstands, buzzing hospitality, world-class entertainment and the iconic London skyline framing the arena, the atmosphere matched the calibre of sport on display as margins were measured in fractions and every fence mattered.
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In a fiercely contested battle from start to finish, Mexico Amigos emerged victorious thanks to a composed performance from husband-and-wife pairing Carlos Hank Guerreiro and Zoe Hank Conter, who secured the team’s first victory of the season. Home favourite New York Empire powered by Lugano thrilled the British crowd by finishing second with GB’s Scott Brash, Ireland’s Denis Lynch and Mark McAuley, while the ever-consistent St Tropez Pirates completed the podium after climbing the order in an impressive second round.
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The Mexico Amigos claimed a memorable victory as husband-and-wife duo Carlos Hank Guerreiro and Zoe Hank Conter combined for just four penalties across the two rounds to top the podium. New York Empire powered by Lugano thrilled the home crowd to finish runners-up on the same score, with Scott Brash, Mark McAuley and Denis Lynch narrowly denied by time, while the St Tropez Pirates completed the podium on five penalties after a determined performance from Piergiorgio Bucci, Nadja Peter Steiner and Jeanne Sadran.
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Zoe Hank Conter, one half of the Hank duo and the Mexico Amigos GCL Round 2 duo, “We love it here in London, and my horses are just in great shape. The first round was actually a very nice run and I was really happy with my mare; she really jumped her heart out. Then in the second round, Luis just delivered. He has already delivered for the Mexico Amigos before when we needed him, and he did that again today, so I’m just thrilled. Both of Carlos’ horses were amazing today as well. He really fought for it until the end and it worked out for both of us, so we’re super happy.”
Second placed New York Empire, Marc McAuley couldn’t be more delighted following his debut with the team after the mid season transfer window. “It’s a beautiful setting, to be here in the centre of London is a special feeling. It’s been a few years since I was last here, but the location, the vibe, the show, it’s all top tier.”
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Teammate Scott Brash reflected on the sporting action, “I was super pleased with Folie today in round 2, she jumped super… and having Marc on the team with a great group of horses around him, it’s great to have him on board.”
Third place St. Tropez Pirates reminisced on their first podium of the season in Mexico, now having another boost for the team at a crucial time in the season. Piergiorgio Bucci said, “All season we are thinking about Championship points – sometimes it hasn’t worked out or sometimes we were a little less lucky, but we know we have an amazing team of horses, so we know we can perform really well for the rest of the season!”
Championship Standings
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The title race remains incredibly close heading into the next stage, with the championship standings now reading:
Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym – 187 points
Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois – 163 points
Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team – 159 points
Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team – 157 points
New York Empire powered by Lugano – 153 points
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The opening round produced one of the closest contests of the season, with virtually nothing separating the leading teams. Four teams completed the opening rotation on immaculate double clears as Mexico Amigos, Riyadh Knights, Doha Falcons and Shanghai Swans all kept a clean sheet to share the overnight lead. Just behind them sat the St Tropez Pirates, whose only blemish was a single time fault collected by Jeanne Sadran, leaving them firmly within striking distance. The chasing pack remained tightly compressed with Madrid in Motion, Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym, New York Empire powered by Lugano, Valkenswaard United and Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team all carrying just four penalties into the decisive second round, ensuring the battle for the podium remained completely wide open.
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With only the top ten teams returning for the finale, the pressure intensified immediately.
Championship leaders Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym were first back into the arena couldn’t quite repeat their recent dominant form. Returning on four penalties, both Marco Kutscher with Pikeur Lemar NRW and Maximilian Weishaupt aboard Zuccero HV each collected four faults, leaving the German outfit sixth on 12 penalties overall.
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Starting Round 2 on four penalties, Valkenswaard United looked well placed to climb the leaderboard. However, 12 faults from Sandra Auffarth aboard Comcador OLD outweighed the clear from Gilles Thomas and Riesling van T Roosakker, leaving the home team eighth overall on 16 penalties.
Madrid in Motion stayed in the hunt throughout another competitive outing. After carrying four penalties into the final round, Maikel van der Vleuten delivered a faultless performance aboard Jesther, but eight faults from Victor Bettendorf and Encore Toi du Linon left the team on a total of 12 penalties to finish fifth.
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The Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team endured a frustrating second round after beginning the finale on four penalties. Pieter Devos picked up four faults aboard Jarina J, before Niels Bruynseels added 12 penalties with Credibilis van het Lindenhof Z, dropping the former championship leaders to ninth place on 20 penalties.
New York Empire powered by Lugano came agonisingly close to victory. Roared on by the home crowd, Scott Brash bounced back from four faults in Round 1 with a superb clear aboard Hello Folie, while Mark McAuley was once again flawless with Clooney van Spalbeek Z. Matching Mexico’s four-penalty score, the team settled for second after finishing just over five seconds slower.
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The St Tropez Pirates delivered one of the standout performances of the evening, climbing from fifth after Round 1 onto the podium. Piergiorgio Bucci produced a crucial clear aboard Casalia DG, while Nadja Peter Steiner added just four faults with Clearround Il Mondo, finishing on five penalties overall to secure third place.
After a flawless first round, the Shanghai Swans remained firmly in contention until Round 2. Max Kühner kept the pressure on with another brilliant clear aboard EIC Quantum Robin V, but eight faults from Ben Maher and Enjeu de Grisien saw the team slip from the podium positions to fourth.
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Having shared the lead on a perfect score from R1, the Doha Falcons suffered one of the biggest reversals of the evening. Sheikh Ali Khalid Al Thani incurred eight faults with Marco Monet, before Nathan Budd added 16 penalties aboard H’Aubigny de Talma, leaving the team to round out the top ten on 24 penalties.
Mexico Amigos then laid down the challenge with ice-cool precision. Zoe Hank Conter produced another faultless performance aboard Loui LN, before husband Carlos Hank Guerreiro added just a single rail with H5 Diachango Blue PS. Their total of four penalties proved enough to withstand every challenge that followed, securing the team’s first victory of the season.
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Last to go in pole position Riyadh Knights were the final team to return to the arena and still had victory within reach after a flawless opening round. Emanuele Gaudiano incurred four faults aboard Esteban de Hus, before Gudrun Patteet added eight penalties with Sea Coast Chica V.V. Z, ending their hopes and ultimately handing the win to the Mexico Amigos.
GCL now heads to the spectacular Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, where another crucial chapter in the championship battle awaits. With the title race tightening at the top and momentum shifting once again after London’s dramatic contest, every rail will become increasingly significant as the world’s best teams continue their pursuit of the 2026 GCL crown.
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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.
