Pressure Peaks as 2025 GCL Super Cup Finalists Emerge from Intense Semi-Final Clash

Mdmar – GCL – Prague

The GCL Super Cup Semi Final ignited a breathtaking surge of drama and high emotion, perfectly setting the tone for Sunday’s eagerly awaited Final. On this crucial second day of the GC Prague Playoffs, the knockout format delivered tension at every turn, cutting the field in half as the remaining teams earned their place in the all-or-nothing GCL Super Cup Final.

Shockwaves rippled through the packed O2 arena as powerhouse squads including the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames and the Shanghai Swans saw their Playoffs journeys come to a sudden halt. Meanwhile, the 2023 GCL Super Cup Champions Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym surged to a decisive Semi Final victory, claiming the prime start position for Saturday’s Final and reaffirming their status as the team to beat.
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Riders entered through the iconic Walk of Champions to a roaring crowd, their reception amplifying the electric atmosphere inside the arena. With world class performances, razor thin margins, and high stakes drama at every turn, the Semi Final delivered everything that defines the GC Prague Playoffs – setting up a blockbuster Final that promises an unforgettable conclusion to the 2025 GCL Super Cup.

GCL Super Cup Final Qualified Teams:

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Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym

Basel Cosmopolitans

New York Empire powered by Lugano

Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team

Rome Gladiators powered by Cavalleria Toscana

Valkenswaard United

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Drawing on their 2023 GCL Super Cup triumph, Kukuk reflected on the defining day the team experienced in Prague two years ago. He said “2023 is behind us but I think for both Philipp and I, we want to have that feeling once again, i think that was one of the greatest days in our careers that we had here two years ago, so we are really looking forward to have the chance on Sunday to fight and have that feeling once again.”

Philipp underscored the elevated pressure and unforgiving nature of the Super Cup at the GC Prague Playoffs, commenting, “As we see here so often here in Prague at the Playoffs in the Super Cup, there’s three riders, no drop score, you automatically have a chance of a much higher score, and we jump for so much prize money here and when you’ve really got the best of the best here, it has to be tough and more difficult than a normal GCL round. It is harder, it is exciting, and there is no room for a little mistake here”

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Catching his breath as he left the kiss and cry, team owner and manager Ludger Beerbaum offered his first impressions, “It is really exciting here, with the three riders and the youngest one was clear… he was lucky in the last but I am very impressed. Checker had one down but we know we can rely on him, and Philipp’s horse is not super experienced at this level – he had a silly rail but Philipp rode well and I couldn’t be more pleased!”

The Semi-Final produced a defining shake-up in the leaderboard, with only the top six teams securing their coveted places in the 2025 GCL Super Cup Final – while positions 7 through 12 saw their Playoffs campaigns come to an end.

Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym – the 2023 GCL Super Cup champions – kept fans and team owner Ludger Beerbaum on edge throughout the afternoon.
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Christian Kukuk and Checker 47 opened with 4 faults in 67.27, followed by a brilliant clear round from Maximilian Weishaupt on Zuccero HV in 67.21 seconds. Philipp Weishaupt, closing the team’s campaign on Oreo D.R, added 4 faults in 67.30 seconds. Their combined 8 faults secured first place in the Semi-Final and reinforced their status as favourites to defend the title.

Joining them in the Final, the Basel Cosmopolitans claimed second place on 12 faults. Andreas Schou and Napoli VH Nederassenthof posted 8 faults in 70.58 seconds, Marlon Módolo Zanotelli and Katolou jumped clear in 70.00 seconds, and Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida aboard Karonila added 4 faults in 67.90 seconds. Their blend of precision and speed kept them firmly within the top bracket.).

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New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds claimed third, finishing on 16 faults.

Denis Lynch and Cordial collected 4 faults in 70.79 seconds, while Bertram Allen with Pacino Amiro rode a sharp round adding 4 faults in 68.49 seconds. Scott Brash on Hello Jefferson contributed 8 faults in 67.03 seconds, securing their place among the top six.

Meanwhile, Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team delivered a standout performance that earned them fourth place and a coveted spot in the GCL Super Cup Final.

Niels Bruynseels set the tone early on Origi vd Vosberg, completing the round with 12 faults in 68.61 seconds. Teammate Pieter Devos and Casual DV Z impressed with a superb clear round in 69.76 seconds, one of the class highlights. The Lions’ final rider, Thibeau Spits on Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z, added 4 faults in 71.68 seconds, bringing the team to a total of 16 faults – just enough to edge past several rivals and confirm their place in Sunday’s final showdown.

The final two qualifying places went to Rome Gladiators powered by Cavalleria Toscana in fifth with 20 faults, and 2025 GCL Champions Valkenswaard United in sixth on 28 faults, both teams doing just enough to punch their tickets to Sunday’s Final.

The drama was no less intense in the elimination zone, where teams placed 7th to 12th saw their journey end.

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Madrid In Motion (7th, 28 faults), St Tropez Pirates (8th, 32 faults), and Scandinavian Vikings (9th, 32 faults) all missed the cut by narrow margins. Shanghai Swans (11th, 48 faults), and Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames (12th, 56 faults) both had an unexpected fall per team meaning they were unable to recover from the costly mistakes, bringing their 2025 Playoffs run to a close.

With the field now reduced to the top six teams, all eyes turn to the GCL Super Cup Final – where faultless execution, speed, and strategic brilliance will determine who lifts one of the most prestigious titles in show jumping.

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Anticipation now turns to tomorrow’s Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix and Sunday’s GCL Super Cup Final, both set to deliver defining moments in front of sold-out crowds. With today’s results setting an electrifying tone, an unforgettable weekend of world-class sport lies ahead.

Fans around the globe can follow every moment live on GCTV, featuring expert commentary, deep analysis, state-of-the-art graphics, and exclusive rider reactions – bringing viewers closer to the intensity and drama of the Playoffs than ever before.

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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.