Valkenswaard United Strike Back in St. Tropez for Second GCL Win of 2025
Advantage Cannes Stars… but not for long… GCL Ramatuelle, St Tropez was a race to the finish line.
Mdmar – Cannes – GCL
As the fastest team to finish on four faults, Valkenswaard United secured their second win of the season and accelerated their 2025 Championship campaign. It was Madrid’s winning combination of Hans-Dieter Dreher and Gilles Thomas who stepped on top of the podium in Ramatuelle, St. Tropez.
Last year’s GCL of St Tropez winners, Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames’ Katrin Eckermann and Natalie Dean, clinched second place by just a second and a half, while 2023 GCL season champions Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym took third as the only team on 8 faults from Christian Kukuk and Philipp Weishaupt.
Set against the sparkling shores of Ramatuelle, the 2025 GCL team showdown delivered edge-of-your-seat sport in one of the most breathtaking locations on the circuit. With golden beaches, deep blue waters, and the unmistakable Riviera vibe in the air, teams battled it out beneath sun-drenched skies in this spectacular stage of the Championship. The Mediterranean backdrop only added to the drama as fans packed the stands to witness world-class show jumping at its finest.
Valkenswaard United, an ambitious team, but with a feeling they weren’t quite going to make the podium today, Gilles Thomas spoke of how his nine-year-old mount Qalista DN stepped up producing a clear and four for the team. He said: “In Madrid I had Luna and Ermitage, and now here with Qalista, she is a very good horse and I had a very good feeling but the first time you never quite know – today she did fantastic! I must add with the double clear of Hansi [Hans-Dieter Dreher], the credit must go to him for our podium today.”
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Moving from 9th after round one up to an incredible second place, last year’s winners, Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, couldn’t hide their relief! Katrin Eckermann, who took the top spot for the team at the same stage in 2024 said, “We saw many clear rounds in the first round, but again, the same as last year, the second round was tough. With the sun going down it is not so easy, but it was a nice day also for Anastasia joining the team for the first time in the first round. What a strong feeling with the team behind us!”
Christian Kukuk spoke exclusively to GCTV on behalf of 2023 GCL Championship winners, Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym. He said, “Probably two years ago we would’ve been a little disappointed with the third place, but so far this year we were struggling a bit with that last piece of luck you need… today we were missing it again, but Phillipp and I had a very good overall performance. It was a very challenging second round, so really we are very happy with the third place and we are looking forward to the next one.”
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Championship Standings After Stage 6
Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames: 133 points
Valkenswaard United: 124 points
Shanghai Swans: 124 points
St Tropez Pirates: 98 points
Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team: 97 points
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Beyond the sporting action, GCL of Ramatuelle, St. Tropez, offered an irresistible blend of glamour and Riviera chic. From buzzing hospitality lounges to family-friendly fun, the event served up something for everyone. With thrilling jump-offs, dramatic moments, and a sunset-lit atmosphere, it was an unforgettable celebration of top sport and the Riviera lifestyle.
In what felt like a fairly simple first round, 11 teams all sat within just one fence of each other with five teams on a 0 score. Interestingly, three teams of Riesenbeck International, powered by HorseGym, Scandinavian Vikings and Rome Gladiator,s powered by Cavalleria Toscana, opted to keep their exact same horse and rider combinations for the second round, which is where the drama started.
Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, were the first team to post a double clear in the second round to keep them on just 4 faults from round 1. Both Natalie Dean and Katrin Eckermann on Acota M and Iron Dames Cala Mandia Nrw were looking to repeat history with back-to-back wins in St Tropez. Going into round two in 9th place, they had done all they could and just had to sit and wait to see if other teams made mistakes.
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It wasn’t to be for Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team as, two of the big signings to the squad still struggled to find their feet. Henrik von Eckermann and Simon Delestre clocked 12 faults, knocking them just off the podium but in a lightning-fast time.
Back with their dynamic duo Riesenbeck International, powered by HorseGym, had two gut-wrenching fences as the PremiuMares plank fell for Christian Kukuk onboard Cheker and the last fence, a wide Lugano oxer came down for Philipp Weishaupt with Oreo D.R. immediately putting them behind the Cannes Stars.
Wearing the red armband to show they were current Championship leaders, Shanghai Swans gave it their all but faults across the board from both Daniel Deusser and Max Kuhner in round two cost them deerly in crucial Championship points.
Taking to the arena Hans-Dieter Dreher brought out the big guns of Elysium for Valkenswaard United, delivering a flawless clear yet again behind handing over to his partner from GCL Madrid, Gilles Thomas. Riding a fairly young horse, this 1.60m course tested Thomas and Qalista DN to the max. The purple oxer fell mid-round fell, but Gilles then stepped on the gas and finished a second and half faster than the Cannes Stars, catapulting them into the lead with two teams to go…
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In what seemed like a repeat of last week in Cannes, Madrid In Motion buckled under the pressure and couldn’t produce the clears in the second round. Although they started on a clean sheet, two down each for Eduardo Alvarez Aznar and Victor Bettendorf dropped them right down the order to 6th place.
Last to go, Doha Falcons stepped up with Julien Anquetin on Blood Diamond du Pont and Jérôme Guery with Killer Queen. The duo gave it their all but crumbled from pole position, falling to 7th overall after a total of 16 faults in the second round.
As the sun dips below the horizon in St Tropez, the GCL Championship charge continues to the capital of France, next stop: Paris. With the 2025 season nearing its dramatic mid-point, the battle for the title is well and truly on!
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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.
