Tears of Joy for Augustsson Zanotelli in Rabat as Saïd Celebrates ‘Dream Come True’ 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Title

Mdmar – Rabat – LGCT

Tears of joy, extraordinary sporting highs and a championship dream realised. The 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour season came to a spectacular conclusion in Rabat today as Sweden’s Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli delivered a sensational victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rabat, while Belgium’s Abdel Saïd celebrated the greatest achievement of his career as the 2026 LGCT Champion.

Against the stunning backdrop of Morocco’s capital, a sold-out crowd witnessed a thrilling finale to a season that has taken the world’s leading show jumping riders across continents, iconic cities and some of the most spectacular venues in international sport.

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Rabat, founded by Qatar’s Years of Culture initiative, once again brought world-class equestrian sport and cultural exchange together, providing a fitting stage for the conclusion of an unforgettable 2026 championship campaign.

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It was an emotional afternoon for Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, who produced a stunning performance aboard Iron Dames Calvino II de Nyze Z to claim victory in the €612,100 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rabat and securing the final ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Verona. 

First to enter the arena in a nine-horse jump-off, the Swedish rider delivered a beautifully judged clear in 47.91 seconds, setting a benchmark that would withstand every challenge from the world’s best. Ireland’s Denis Lynch came agonisingly close aboard Cordial, producing a spectacular clear in 48.02 seconds, just 0.11 seconds behind the winner. His second-place finish proved crucial in the overall championship battle, securing third place in the final standings.

Completing the LGCT Grand Prix of Rabat podium was Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, who delivered the fastest jump-off time of the competition aboard Untouched LB, stopping the clock in 46.24 seconds. However, one unfortunate rail left him on four penalties, securing third place in Rabat and confirming his position as the 2026 LGCT Championship runner-up.

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Having secured the championship title at the historic inaugural LGCT of Cairo, Saïd arrived in Rabat knowing that his remarkable season had already earned him the sport’s ultimate individual championship honour. Finishing the year on 245 points, the Belgian rider claimed the prestigious title and the lion’s share of the €950,000 championship prize money, capping off a season defined by determination, consistency and outstanding performances at the highest level.

Behind him, however, the battle for the remaining podium positions went right down to the wire. Christian Ahlmann entered the final LGCT Grand Prix determined to secure second place in the championship. A clear opening round put him firmly in contention, and despite one rail in the jump-off, his third-place finish was enough to secure the runner-up position on 240 points, just five behind Saïd.

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For Denis Lynch, the final LGCT Grand Prix presented one last opportunity to climb the championship standings. Delivering a superb double clear aboard Cordial, the Irishman secured second place in Rabat and finished the season third overall on 233 points, completing a fiercely competitive championship podium. Just behind the leading three, Simon Delestre secured fourth place overall on 218 points, while Pieter Devos, fresh from his Grand Prix victory in Cairo, completed the championship top five on 213.86 points.

After 15 stages of extraordinary competition, the final championship standings reflected the consistency, resilience and world-class performances required to succeed across the one of a kind LGCT calendar.

Jan Tops, Founder and President of Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL: “Every leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour is special in its own way, and that is what makes this championship so unique. Rabat is always a fantastic place to finish our season, and every year the organisers continue to raise the bar and deliver an even better event. It is a real pleasure to return here and see how much the sport continues to grow.

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We have had an incredible season, with the very best riders and horses in the world competing at the highest level. What makes this championship so special is the consistency required throughout the year. The riders at the top have proven themselves time and time again, and that is what it takes to become a champion. I am extremely proud of how the Longines Global Champions Tour continues to develop. Every year, our series becomes stronger, the standard of competition gets higher and we continue to bring our sport to some of the most iconic destinations around the world.

I would also like to sincerely thank our long-standing Title Partner and Official Timekeeper, Longines, for their continued trust and support, which is so important to the success of our Tour. A special thank you also goes to Qatar’s Years of Culture initiative for their support here in Rabat and for helping us bring together world-class sport and cultural exchange. Together with our partners, organisers, riders and teams, we have delivered another exceptional season, and I am very proud of what we have achieved.”

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A visibly emotional Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli struggled to put into words what today’s victory with Calvino meant to her. “I am very overwhelmed. This is more than I expected today,” she said. “I am so thankful to my horse, to the whole team, and to Debora and the Iron Dames for giving me the opportunity to ride this amazing horse. It has been a long time since I last won a five-star Grand Prix, and to do it again here in Rabat is incredibly special.”

For Angelica, the victory belonged to everyone behind the scenes as much as those celebrating beside the arena. “Our team is very special. We are incredibly close – it feels like family. From the team here to everyone at home in the stables and at Ashford Farm, I feel that this victory is shared by all of us.”

Reflecting on his championship-winning season, Abdel Saïd paid tribute to his horses and the team behind his success. “It’s unbelievable. This was a dream, and now it has become a reality. It has been a dream of mine since I was a child. Growing up, I watched all these top riders, including the guys sitting next to me today, and the likes of Rolf-Göran Bengtsson and Scott Brash, winning the championship. Seeing them achieve that success was incredibly inspiring, and to now be sitting here myself as the Longines Global Champions Tour Champion is honestly a dream come true. It’s an incredible moment for me and my whole team.”

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Christian Ahlmann explained: “I am very, very happy. It means a lot to me. To be honest, Untouched has done 90% of the work throughout the entire season. He is still quite a young horse, and he has developed incredibly well from show to show. I knew I still had a chance to win the championship in Rome, although it was a very small one, but Abdel finished the job. For us, it has been a journey of building step by step, finding our rhythm and overcoming the challenges along the way. I am super, super happy with what we have achieved.”

Denis Lynch smiled: “First of all, a big thank you once again to Jan and his entire team for what they have delivered here this weekend and all year. It really is incredible, and we are very lucky to be able to compete at events like this. For me our goal from the beginning was the team, and when you are riding for a strong team and performing consistently, you naturally put yourself in a good position in the Grand Prix and the overall championship as well. Finishing third in the individual championship is really the icing on the cake.

Of course, I have also been incredibly fortunate to have Cordial, who has been an unbelievable horse for me and so consistent throughout the season. He has played a huge part in everything we have achieved. Now we look ahead to Verona, and I think it is going to be very exciting. There are so many strong combinations heading into the Playoffs, and I am sure it will be another spectacular event, just as we have seen in Prague and Riyadh in previous years. I am really looking forward to it. I will be bringing my best horses, making sure I am on top of my own game and giving it absolutely everything.”

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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.