Riesenbeck International Strike Back as Championship Rivals Trade Blows at GCL St Tropez
Mdmar – GCL – St Tropez
The fight for the 2026 GCL Championship took another dramatic turn in Ramatuelle, St. Tropez as Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym delivered a statement victory, as the fastest team to finish on 8 faults snatching the win after two intense rounds of competition.
With pressure mounting at the halfway point of the season, Ciaran Nallon aboard Casalla Blue PS and Christian Kukuk with Checker 47 produced when it mattered most, climbing from fourth after round one to claim victory in spectacular fashion and secure maximum championship points.
The ever-consistent Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team continued their impressive campaign to finish second. A crucial double clear from Thibeau Spits and Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z, combined with Niels Bruynseels’ second-round clear aboard Chacco’s Lando OL, saw them finish just over three seconds adrift of the winners.
Completing the podium were the fast-rising Mexico Amigos, with Zoe Hank Conter and Loui LN and Eduardo Pereira de Menezes aboard H5 Kontador VDM delivering two crucial clears in round two to leap up the leaderboard and secure third place.
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Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Riviera, the GCL of Ramatuelle, St. Tropez once again delivered a captivating blend of elite sport and summer glamour. As the sun dipped towards the Mediterranean and the atmosphere intensified around the arena, fans were treated to a thrilling championship showdown where every rail and every second mattered.
Reflecting on Riesenbeck International’s remarkable comeback after round one, Christian Kukuk revealed he never lost belief in the team’s chance. He said; “Even after the first round, I had a good feeling. Kieran had a really, really great round and, to be honest, I was also happy with my round despite the two down because Checker felt very good.”
Kukuk was full of praise for teammate Ciaran Nallon, whose performances with Garzillo proved instrumental in securing victory. He added, “Kieran did a great round again. His performance was outstanding today with Garzillo.”
The win marked Riesenbeck International’s first GCL triumph of the 2026 season, with Kukuk hoping it signals a shift in m3 seomentum, “We’re super, super happy to be on top of the podium. It’s the first time this year. We’ve had a rough season until now, but hopefully this is kind of a turnaround.”
Nallon reflected on the dramatic change in fortunes between rounds, “At the halfway point, you couldn’t have expected that the second round would look completely different.”
For Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team, second place represented more than another podium – it was another statement of intent in an increasingly competitive championship battle.
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Reflecting on Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team’s impressive form this season, Niels Bruynseels credited the depth and spirit within the squad, he said, “We are really happy. Last year we were always chasing points to get into those top four spots, which is very important. This year we have some very good horses, the team spirit is good and everything is going well.”
With the championship entering a crucial phase, Thibeau Spits emphasised the importance of maintaining momentum through an intense summer schedule, he said “We’ve been on the road for three consecutive weeks and we just have to keep delivering. Next week it’s Paris, then Monaco, then Riesenbeck. All these shows are important.”
Despite another strong result, Spits insisted the team’s focus remains firmly on consistency,he said “We just have to keep the consistency. Every show is important. Keep delivering every weekend.”
Reflecting on Mexico Amigos’ first podium finish of the season, Zoe Conter praised both her horse’s determination and the team’s perseverance throughout the campaign, “He was fighting for me all the way through. It was a great feeling, especially because it was such a difficult course. It gives you extra satisfaction when everything comes together.”
She added, “We keep getting hungrier. We have good horses and good riders, so eventually it had to come together.”
Championship Standings After Stage 6
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1. Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team – 114 points
2. Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym – 101 points
3. Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem – 98 points
4. Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois – 98 points
5. New York Empire powered by Lugano – 94 points
6. Monaco Aces – 92 points
Beyond the championship battle, Ramatuelle, St. Tropez once again delivered the unmistakable magic that makes it one of the most iconic stops on the calendar. From vibrant VIP terraces and packed grandstands to golden-hour views across the Riviera, the event blended world-class sport with effortless French glamour. As the sun set over the Mediterranean, another unforgettable chapter of the 2026 season was written.
In a first round where the margins were razor-thin, the championship battle was wide open from the outset. With eight teams separated by just a single rail, there was virtually nothing between the leading contenders as the pressure mounted heading into round two. Notably, no team managed to emerge fault-free, underlining the technical nature of the track and the challenge posed.
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Drama struck early for the Rome Gladiators powered by Cavalleria Toscana, whose hopes unravelled after a costly refusal resulted in elimination, ending their challenge before the second round even began. Elsewhere, the fight to secure a place in round two went right down to the wire. New York Empire powered by Lugano agonisingly missed the cut, denied a place among the top ten teams by just three seconds across both riders’ combined times. With every rail and every fraction of a second carrying huge significance, the stage was perfectly set for a thrilling second round showdown.
There was heartbreak for Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois, who looked capable of mounting a charge up the leaderboard before disaster struck in round two after Marlon Zanotelli had a dismount at the last fence putting the team’s challenge to an abrupt end. It was a frustrating outcome for a side that had remained firmly in the mix throughout round one, but the unforgiving nature of GCL once again proved that fortunes can change in an instant.
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Next into the spotlight for R2 were Mexico Amigos. Zoe Hank Conter and Loui LN rose to the occasion with a beautifully judged clear, before Eduardo Pereira de Menezes followed suit aboard H5 Kontador VDM. Two pressure-packed clears saw the team surge onto the podium and cap off one of their strongest performances of the season.
Championship leaders Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team were next. Thibeau Spits once again showed nerves of steel aboard Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z, producing a second clear round of the day. Niels Bruynseels then stepped up with Chacco’s Lando OL and delivered exactly what was needed – a second clear that secured second place and another massive haul of championship points for the Lions.
The home crowd roared as the St Tropez Pirates entered the arena for round 2. Jérôme Guery and Quito de Mariposa answered with a crucial clear round, but earlier faults from Kaitlin Campbell and Jeanne Sadran left the Pirates unable to challenge for the lead. They would ultimately finish fift.
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Doha Falcons were next to take their shot. Nathan Budd and H’Aubigny de Talma fought hard, while Sheikh Ali Khalid Al Thani and Marco Monet both collected four faults in round two. Their 16-fault finish kept them firmly in contention but ultimately left them sixth overall.
Then came the charge that changed everything. Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym returned with unfinished business after carrying eight faults from round one. First out, Ciaran Nallon delivered a flawless clear aboard Casalla Blue PS, before Christian Kukuk produced another clear with Checker 47. That catapulted Riesenbeck and completely rewrote the leaderboard.
Wearing the pressure of championship expectations, the Shanghai Swans arrived knowing every point mattered. Max Kühner and Kurt D Z produced a determined effort, while Giacomo Casadei aboard Raffinesse matched him with four faults of his own. Their combined 16 score wasn’t enough to threaten the podium, but crucial championship points ensured they remained firmly in the title hunt.
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The final benchmark in round two came from Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames. Sitting on four faults from the opening round, the pressure was on. First in, Anastasia Nielsen and Dark Chocolate 48 picked up just a single rail before handing over to Katrin Eckermann, who produced a lightning-fast four-fault round aboard Iron Dames Cascajall NRW. Their combined total of twelve faults handed the win to Riesenbeck International even though they were faster on time…
As the lights begin to sparkle across the French Riviera, the GCL Championship battle rolls on at full speed. With St Tropez now in the rear-view mirror, all roads lead to Paris 19 – 21 June, where the pressure rises and every point becomes more valuable. The 2026 season is gathering momentum, and the fight at the top is only getting hotter.
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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.
