The sixth edition of the GCL Season Awards illuminated Prague on Nov. 19, as the world’s equestrian elite gathered in the host city of the much-anticipated Global Champions Playoffs. Held just steps from the iconic O2 arena, the ceremony marked a significant moment in the sport – the final Awards Night before the GCL celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2026.
With the upcoming milestone casting a sense of legacy and anticipation over the evening, the awards honoured the riders, horses, and teams whose excellence defined the 2025 season.
Team owners, breeders and the who’s who of the show jumping and GCL community filled the room, setting the tone for an unforgettable week ahead. The trophies were presented by Jan Tops, Founder and President of GCL.
A year shaped by decisive rounds, elite horsepower, and the riders who delivered when it mattered.
The 2025 GCL Championship once again highlighted the strategic mastery and competitive depth that have defined the GCL across the past decade. The atmosphere reached boiling point as Valkenswaard United sealed their place in history, rising above the world’s best to claim their share of the €8.5 million Championship prize and become the first team ever to win three GCL Championships.
From the very start of the season, the blue-and-gold banner was carried by the calm, clinical riding of Gilles Thomas and Hans-Dieter Dreher, whose ice-cool rounds and depth of horse power became the backbone of the team’s campaign. Their unwavering form kept the relentless Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames at bay, denying the pink-and-black squad a storybook finish despite their late-season surge. When the final points were tallied, Valkenswaard United stood at 326, holding off the Stars by 11 points, with the ever-consistent Shanghai Swans securing third place on 272 – a testament to a season built on discipline, horsepower, and championship instinct.
But the narrative of 2025 took one final twist in Riyadh. In a dramatic turn, the Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team suffered an unexpected elimination in Round 2, a shock that reshaped the entire GC Playoffs landscape. The door opened for Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym, who seized the moment with decisive performances from Christian Kukuk and Emanuele Camilli. Their clutch third-place finish propelled Riesenbeck International to fourth in the standings, snatching the last fast-track ticket to the GCL Super Cup Semi-Final by the narrowest of margins.
The 2025 season delivered drama, dominance, and defining moments at every turn. From early-season breakthroughs to late-season pressure cookers, the road to Prague tested depth, strategy, and the ability to deliver when the stakes were highest. And tonight, before the sport’s biggest week begins, the GCL community paused to honour the performances that shaped the narrative of the year.
It was against this backdrop – a season fought round by round, jump by jump – that the 2025 GCL Season Awards took centre stage.
2025 GCL Season Award Winners
GCL Horse of the Season – Chageorge
Rider: Christian Kukuk
Team: Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym
Owner: Beerbaum Stables GmbH
Breeder: Gestüt Lewitz
Chageorge stood out as one of the defining horses of 2025 – courageous, powerful, and relentlessly reliable. His composure under pressure and consistency across the year were central to Riesenbeck International’s championship campaign. With 328 horses contesting the 2025 GCL season, his dominance underscored both his exceptional quality and the depth of horsepower across the league’s ninth year.
1st Chageorge [Christian Kukuk, Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym] – 775 Points
2nd Gentleman [Guido Grimaldi, Paris Panthers] – 713 Points
3rd Lady van de Haarterhoeve [Fernando Martinez Sommer, Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team] – 630 Points
“I took the ride on Chageorge as an 8 year old and, and I could see quality. From Just Be Gentle, and of course Checker, it goes to show the horses Beerbaum Stables are producing are at the top level, to have Chageorge as part of the Beerbaum Stables team is an honour.” Christian Kukuk – Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym
His breeder Paul Schockemohle said: “I aim to improve 10% in quality not quantatity each year, and to see the horses at this level is very rewarding. It means a lot to me to win this award.”
Rider of the Season – Gilles Thomas
Valkenswaard United
A season of sharp execution and immense composure propelled Gilles Thomas to the forefront of the 2025 Championship. Week after week, his consistency and calm under pressure became a cornerstone of Valkenswaard United’s historic title campaign. In one of the closest and most hotly contested Championship battles to date, his performances stood tall against a field of powerhouse teams, elite riders, and exceptional horsepower.
1st Gilles Thomas [Valkenswaard United] – 1312 Points
2nd Katrin Eckermann [Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames] – 1248 Points
3rd Simon Delestre [Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team] – 1231 Points
“To receive this award at the end of such a big season means a lot to me. I tried to stay focused every week and do my job for the team, and I am very proud of what we achieved together. Valkenswaard United worked hard from the first stage to the last, and this result belongs to all of us – riders, owners, grooms, and the whole team behind the scenes. I am very grateful, and I look forward to finishing this special week strong here in Prague.” Gilles Thomas – GCL Rider of the Season
U25 Rider of the Season – Carlos Hank Guerreiro
Mexico Amigos powered by H5 Stables
A rising force for the Mexico Amigos, Carlos Hank Guerreiro delivered with maturity beyond his years, producing clutch rounds under pressure and emerging as one of the standout young riders of 2025. The U25 field shone brightly throughout the season, stepping onto the world stage and confirming themselves as the sport’s golden generation.
1st Carlos Hank Guerreiro, [Mexico Amigos powered by H5 Stables] – 727 Points
2nd Robert Murphy [New York Empire powered by Lugano] – 454 Points
3rd Thibeau Spits [Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team] – 375 Points
“Winning the U25, is the highlight of the season, having this platform of the GCL helps me develop as a rider. Thanks to Jan Tops, and everyone involved with GCL. If you are winning at this level of these shows then you can’t do much better.” Carlos Hank Guerreiro – Mexico Amigos powered H5 Stables
As Prague awaits the ultimate showdown, the O2 arena is set, the world’s top 12 teams are locked in, and the countdown to the €10 million GCL Super Cup is officially on.
The GCL Super Cup Quarter Final begins Thursday, November 20, at 20:10.
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