Neck-and-Neck: GCL Title Fight Explodes After Stage 3 in Shanghai
Mdmar – Shanghai – GCL
Beneath the skyline of Shanghai, the GCL once again delivered a spectacle worthy of its global stage, as the team competition unfolded at one of the sport’s most striking venues. Set within the world-class Shanghai Juss International Equestrian Centre, Stage Three of the 2026 championship combined elite sport with an electric atmosphere – where packed grandstands, city energy and a vibrant crowd created a backdrop unlike anywhere else on tour.
As the intensity of the championship begins to build, every round in the GCL carries weight – and Shanghai proved no exception. Against a field stacked with world-class talent, it was the Monaco Aces who rose to the occasion, delivering a composed and clinical performance when it mattered most. The duo of Yuri Mansur and Peder Fredricson combined experience and team tactics to outclass their rivals and secure a decisive victory in this pivotal early stage of the season.
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With the championship narrative beginning to take shape, the result in Shanghai marks an important statement from the Monaco Aces, Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym and Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trios Rois a venue that continues to elevate the sport to new heights, their triumph not only captured the moment, but set the tone for the battles still to come across the global circuit.
Speaking after their triumphant win, Monaco Aces couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces. The dream team of Yuri and Peder know how to deliver when it counts. Yuri said “The crowd here is incredible, they lift us every step of the way and they are so supportive here.”
Adding to the sentiment, Peder said “The equestrian centre here is so impressive. From the stables and facilities to care for the horses to what the setup is for us as riders – it really is world class and allows us to focus on performing when it counts.”
He went on to add, “The horses were truly on form today, to be back on top of the podium means a lot and gives our team some solid points for the season ahead.”
Riesenbeck international haven’t had the strongest start to the season however are a team that are no stranger to success following their seasons past. Philipp reflected on today’s result saying, “Our horses were so strong today but we knew with Peder and Yuri following and with two rails in hand, we’d likely need to settle for second. It’s great to be back in the fight, particularly somewhere like Shanghai.”
Following back to back podiums in stage 2 in Mexico and now stage 3 in Shanghai, with for different team members, Basel cosmopolitans have truly shown the depth of their squad. Andreas Schou reflected “Our team is very strong this season with Zascha and Olivier being third. Our horses performed very well here today and we look to back up with a third podium again in Madrid where Olivier and Zascha go again!”
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The GCL Championship standings tightened dramatically after Stage 3 in Shanghai, with Valkenswaard United taking over the lead on 53.5 points, narrowly edging ahead of Cairo Pharaohs on 53 points. Just behind, Monaco Aces moved into third on 52 points following their victory in Shanghai, joining St Tropez Pirates and Basel Cosmopolitans, who are tied on 52 points in fourth and fifth respectively. With just 1.5 points separating the top five teams, the championship battle is already shaping up to be one of the closest in GCL history as the season heads into its next stage.
First to go in round two, Denis Lynch had an early mistake as a rail fell coming out of the double and into the second combination aboard Chicago (8 / 71.00s). Scott Brash followed, also hitting trouble at fence six with Hello Chadora Lady (4 / 72.03s). The pressure mounted across both rounds, leaving the team on 24 faults in 143.03s.
A dramatic turn of events saw Olivier Lazarus start strongly after a clear in round one, but faults at the double and further issues forced a retirement in round two, resulting in elimination. Despite the team outcome, Sanne Thijssen continued, finishing her round with determination and adding 8 faults. A tough day saw the Falcons exit the competition early.
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Momentum built early as Emanuele Camilli produced the first clear of the day with Chacco’s Girlstar (0 / 68.42s), keeping everything alive after their first-round score. Philipp Weishaupt then delivered exactly what was needed on Mastermind RL, jumping a second clear in 70.66s to secure the only double clear performance of the round. They finished on 8 faults in 139.08s, applying serious pressure on the leaders.
Clara Pezzoli set the tone with a strong round on Hadewyn van’t Ravennest, just clipping the plank on the final line for 4 faults in 71.47s. Rising star Ioli Mytilineou then stepped up, delivering a superb clear on Levis de Muze (0 / 71.78s), underlining the strength of this young female partnership. They closed on 12 faults in 143.25s, just off the podium pace.
The challenging double combination again proved influential, catching out Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, who finished on 4 faults with My Lady Lavista (4 / 70.44s). Sophie Hinners, typically ultra-consistent, looked set for a clear before a tight rollback to the double cost two rails with Iron Dames Kaleni Jo (8 / 69.56s). They closed on 20 faults in 140.00s.
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A composed and efficient round saw the team deliver a double clear performance to remain on their first-round total. Andreas Schou was faultless with Darco de Lux (0 / 71.68s), while Marlon Modolo Zanotelli followed suit aboard Claire 186 (0 / 70.70s). Despite matching Riesenbeck on 8 faults, their combined time of 142.38s left them just behind on the leaderboard.
A standout performance came from Inês Joly, who produced a beautiful clear aboard Charlie La Loi Z (0 / 73.96s), showing real class in her first outing for the team. However, Pim Mulder couldn’t replicate his Miami form, picking up 8 faults with Kentucky Balia NL (8 / 70.33s). The team concluded on 12 faults in 144.29s.
It was a costly round for the home side as Marcus Ehning’s inside turn didn’t come off, with two rails falling aboard Flower Girl (8 / 68.69s). Gilles Thomas followed but couldn’t fully recover the score, adding 4 faults with Luna van het Dennehof (4 / 65.19s). They ended on 16 faults in 133.88s.
The home crowd erupted as Christian Ahlmann delivered a brilliant clear on Vivario JL Z (0 / 71.22s), setting the arena alight. But defending form couldn’t be repeated by Max Kühner, who encountered a tough round with Commissar Pezi, finishing on 16 faults (16 / 73.30s). The team total stood at 20 faults in 144.52s.
Ice-cool under pressure, Peder Fredricson anchored the team with a flawless clear aboard SV Vroom de la Pomme Z, stopping the clock in 68.40s to secure victory. With two rails in hand, he never looked in doubt. Earlier, Yuri Mansur played it tactically on Mister Jup, picking up a single time fault (1 / 75.56s) rather than chasing the clock. The composed strategy paid off, finishing on a team total of 1 fault in 143.96s.
Attention now turns swiftly to Stage Four in Madrid from 15–17 May, where the championship continues this weekend and the pressure begins to mount. Riding high on their Shanghai success, the Monaco Aces will be firmly in focus, but with the field so tightly matched, Madrid promises another fiercely contested chapter. The weekend builds to Sunday’s LGCT Grand Prix at 13:45 local time, where the spotlight shifts to individual honours and the battle for points intensifies once again.
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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.
