Monaco Aces Triumph in Rabat as Riesenbeck International Crowned 2026 GCL Champions
Mdmar – Rabat
The curtain came down on the 2026 GCL Championship in dramatic fashion today as Monaco Aces stormed to victory in the GCL of Rabat, while Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym officially celebrated their crowning in the €8.5 million GCL Championship.
Against the stunning backdrop of Morocco’s capital, the final leg of the 2026 season delivered a thrilling conclusion to a championship that has travelled across the globe, with 15 stages of world-class team competition, fierce rivalries and extraordinary sporting performances.
With the championship podium, final rankings and the coveted direct qualification places for the GCL Super Cup Semi-Finals at the GC Playoffs in Verona still to be decided, every rail, every second and every championship point carried enormous significance.
The event founded by Qatar’s Years of Culture initiative, once again brought together elite international sport and cultural exchange, providing a spectacular stage for the conclusion of the GCL Championship season. It was a day to remember for Monaco Aces, who produced a faultless performance when it mattered most to claim victory in the GCL of Rabat. Represented by Yuri Mansur and Ioli Mytilineou, the team delivered two outstanding rounds, finishing on a clean sheet of zero penalties to take the top step of the podium.
For Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym, the day was one of double celebration. Already assured of the championship title, the German-based squad demonstrated exactly why they have been the benchmark throughout the season, securing second place in Rabat with just two time penalties.
Completing the podium in Rabat were New York Empire powered by Lugano, with Denis Lynch and Michael Pender securing third place after a determined performance across both rounds. Lynch delivered a clear aboard Brooklyn Heights in round two, while Pender and Madgeslane Louis finished with just one time penalty in each round. Their combined total of five penalties was enough to secure the final podium position, rounding off a strong finish to the season for the team.
After 15 legs, spanning continents, iconic destinations and some of the most intense team competition in international show jumping, Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym have been crowned the 2026 GCL Champions. Finishing the season on an impressive 322 championship points, Riesenbeck secured the title and the €2 million championship prize, capping off a remarkable campaign defined by consistency, depth of talent and performances under pressure.
With podium finishes throughout the season and a crucial second-place result in Rabat, the team demonstrated the qualities required to succeed across the demanding GCL calendar. Behind them, the battle for the remaining championship podium positions continued right until the final day. Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team secured the championship runner-up position with 259 points, earning €1.4 million after a season-long campaign that kept them firmly in contention at the top of the standings.
Meanwhile, New York Empire powered by Lugano completed the championship podium in third place with 242 points, securing €1 million in championship prize money. Their third-place finish in Rabat proved a fitting conclusion to a fiercely competitive season, reinforcing their position among the championship’s leading teams.
But the drama did not end with the top three. One of the closest battles of the entire championship unfolded just behind the podium, as Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team and Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois finished level on 228 championship points.
With direct qualification for the GCL Super Cup Semi-Finals in Verona reserved for the top four championship teams, the stakes could hardly have been higher. Despite Prague Lions missing out on the second round in Rabat, their superior number of podium finishes across the season proved decisive in the tie-break, securing fourth place overall and the final automatic qualification spot. For Basel Cosmopolitans, it was an agonisingly narrow miss after a season that saw them match Prague Lions on championship points, ultimately finishing fifth.
Jan Tops, Founder and President of GCL explained: “The three teams on the championship podium today truly deserve to be there. If you look at the biggest sports around the world, is is all about teams, and that was exactly our vision when we launched the GCL ten years ago. What makes our concept so special is bringing riders from different nations together to compete as one team. I am incredibly proud to see how far we have come, and to see competitions across the world, from America to Africa and Australia, taking inspiration from the team format we introduced. Our ambition was always to develop the sport, bring something new to show jumping and make it more exciting and accessible to a global audience.
Rabat is always a highlight of our season, and it is a place we all love returning to. Thanks to the support of Qatar’s Years of Culture initiative, we are able to bring world-class sport together with cultural exchange, which makes this event even more special. Now we look ahead to the GC Playoffs in Verona, and that is where things become really exciting. The beauty of the Playoffs is that no matter how difficult a team’s championship season may have been, everyone starts again from zero. Anything can happen. Every round counts, there are no drop scores and no room for mistakes. That is what makes the GCL Super Cup so exciting, not only for the riders and teams, but also for fans watching around the world. It is a format that is easy to follow, with everything on the line right until the very last rider.”
A beaming Ioli Mytileneou reflected on Monaco Aces’ first podium of the season, with the team claiming victory at the final stage of the Championship. “My horse jumped incredibly in both rounds. I couldn’t have asked for more. He felt a little tired in the first round, so I wasn’t sure what round two would bring, but he really pulled it out of the bag and delivered when it mattered.”
Philipp Weishaupt, Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym said: “Consistency is everything in sport, and that is what makes winning the GCL Championship so special. It is not about performing well at one event; you have to deliver results across all 16 stages throughout the season. Anyone can have a great day, but to maintain that level of performance week after week, against such an incredibly high standard of competition, is something we are very proud of. To win the championship for the third time is an amazing achievement.
We put an enormous amount of thought, preparation and planning into the GCL every year. At every single stage this year, we have made the GCL our priority, bringing our best horses and giving everything for the team. That commitment from everyone involved is what makes the difference, and to see all that hard work pay off with another championship title is incredibly rewarding.”
Ciaran Nallon, Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym beamed: “I honestly struggle to find the words to describe what this means to me. This year has been absolutely indescribable, and to be part of a team alongside some of the biggest names in our sport, and to have been able to contribute to their success along the way, is a dream come true. To ride alongside the best riders in the world, with the support of the best management team, is an incredible privilege. It has been a year I will never forget, and an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life.”
Oliver Fletcher from Istanbul Warriors smiled: “It is a real honour and privilege to be part of such a fantastic team, alongside incredible riders and with the tremendous support we receive from Efe and Tolga back home. We are extremely grateful for everything they do for us. To compete at these incredible venues around the world, year after year, is something very special, and it is a privilege to be part of it. Finishing on the championship podium was a major goal for Istanbul Warriors from the very beginning of the season. We knew we had a strong team and a real chance of achieving something special. Over the past few seasons, we have always set ourselves the ambition of finishing inside the top four, so to achieve that this year and secure second place overall is a fantastic result. It is a great achievement for everyone involved, and something we are all extremely proud of.”
Denis Lynch representing New York Empire explained: “First of all, we have had incredible support from our team owner, Georgina [Bloomberg], throughout the entire season, and that has been hugely important to us. Every single person in this team has a role to play, and everyone has given 150% from start to finish. I think this is our best championship result, certainly since I joined the team, so to finish third overall is something we can all be extremely proud of.
Maintaining that level of focus and commitment throughout such a long season when everyone gives their absolute best, the results follow. I always compare it to a football team. You look to your left and to your right, and when you know you have great people beside you who are giving everything for the team, it makes all the difference. That is exactly the feeling we have at New York Empire, and I think that has been key to our success this year.”
Final 2026 GCL Top 10 Championship Standings
1st – Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym – 322 points
2nd – Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team – 259 points
3rd – New York Empire powered by Lugano – 242 points
4th – Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team – 228 points
5th – Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois – 228 points
6th – Madrid in Motion – 219 points
7th – Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames – 212 points
8th – Valkenswaard United – 205.5 points
9th – Monaco Aces – 202 points
10th – Riyadh Knights – 201 points
With the final championship rankings on the line, the opening round of the GCL of Rabat immediately delivered the drama expected of a season finale. A demanding 1.55m course tested the world’s leading riders, with the tight time allowed proving just as influential as the fences themselves.
Monaco Aces, Madrid in Motion and Riyadh Knights all finished the opening round on zero penalties, putting themselves firmly in contention for the final GCL victory of 2026. For Riesenbeck International, Ciaran Nallon and Philipp Weishaupt kept every fence standing, but two time penalties for Nallon meant the champions entered round two on a score of two.
New York Empire remained firmly in the hunt on four penalties, while Scandinavian Vikings sat close behind on six. But further down the order, the pressure was mounting. Istanbul Warriors, Basel Cosmopolitans and Prague Lions were all fighting for crucial championship positions, with the battle for the final automatic qualification spot in Verona adding another layer of tension.
Prague Lions suffered the biggest blow of the opening round. Four faults apiece for Derin Demirsoy and Pieter Devos left the team on eight penalties and a combined time of 155.21 seconds, narrowly missing the top ten and failing to qualify for round two. With their championship campaign finished, Prague Lions were left watching from the sidelines as their rivals continued to battle for points. For Basel Cosmopolitans, who advanced to the second round, the opportunity to overhaul Prague in the championship standings was still alive. Every position suddenly mattered, with the final direct qualification place for Verona hanging in the balance.
The second round brought the 2026 GCL season to a thrilling conclusion, with the ten remaining teams returning to the arena knowing that the smallest mistake could transform the final results.
With victory in their sights, Monaco Aces delivered a masterclass in precision and composure. Yuri Mansur and Ioli Mytilineou produced two exceptional clears, adding nothing to their opening-round score to finish on zero penalties. Their flawless performance sealed a spectacular victory in Rabat and the perfect conclusion to their championship campaign.
Hot on their heels were the newly crowned champions, Riesenbeck International, who once again demonstrated the consistency that has defined their season. Ciaran Nallon and Philipp Weishaupt both jumped clear in the second round, leaving just two opening-round time faults on the scoreboard to secure second place and another podium finish.
The final podium position went to New York Empire, as Denis Lynch delivered a clear and Michael Pender added just one time penalty. Their combined total of five penalties was enough to hold off a determined challenge from Scandinavian Vikings, whose double clear in the second round secured fourth place on six penalties. Behind the leading four, the battle for positions intensified as the pressure began to take its toll.
Having entered the second round on a clean sheet, Riyadh Knights remained firmly in contention for victory. However, eight penalties for Emanuele Gaudiano, despite a clear from Gudrun Patteet, saw their hopes of a podium finish slip away as they settled for fifth place. The championship stakes were particularly high for Basel Cosmopolitans, who knew every point could prove decisive in their battle with Prague Lions for fourth place overall. Harry Allen delivered a crucial clear, while Marlon Modolo Zanotelli added four penalties, securing sixth place on eight penalties. Despite their efforts, it was not enough to overhaul Prague Lions in the final championship standings.
Meanwhile, another team that had started the second round on zero, Madrid in Motion, saw their podium ambitions unravel. Four penalties apiece for Maikel van der Vleuten and Victor Bettendorf brought their total to eight, leaving them seventh behind Basel on time.
While the 2026 GCL Championship has officially reached its conclusion, the season’s biggest team showdown is still to come. From 19–22 November 2026, the world’s best riders and teams will descend on Verona, Italy, for the spectacular GC Playoffs, where more than €11 million in prize money will be at stake across the GCL Super Cup and Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix.
But the GCL Super Cup is a new battle, with the championship standings giving way to a high-pressure knockout format in which everything is on the line. After 15 unforgettable stages, the championship trophy belongs to Riesenbeck International.
But in Verona, the fight for the GCL Super Cup begins all over again.
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