In a night defined by razor-sharp precision and unrelenting speed, Abdel Saïd and the outstanding Bonne Amie stormed to victory in the €1.25 million Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs. Inside a sold-out O2 Arena, more than 15,000 fans witnessed one of the tightest finishes in Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix history as the world’s elite battled over two demanding 1.65m rounds for the sport’s most coveted individual title.
Shooting straight to the top of the leaderboard, Saïd and the 12-year-old mare Bonne Amie produced two rounds of pure class, finishing on 4 faults in a lightning-fast 62.43 seconds to secure the biggest win of his career. The Belgian rider delivered under immense pressure, setting the benchmark early in Round 2 and never relinquishing it.
Hot on his heels, Simon Delestre and the ever-consistent Cayman Jolly Jumper came agonisingly close, also finishing on 4 faults, their time of 62.45 seconds missing out on the top spot by just two hundredths of a second – an impossibly narrow margin that electrified the Prague crowd.
Completing the podium, Scott Brash and the expressive mare Hello Chadora Lady delivered another formidable performance, stopping the clock in 62.81 seconds, also on 4 faults, to claim third in what was unquestionably one of the strongest Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix fields ever assembled.
A beaming Abdel Said spoke of his incredible partner in Bonne Amie, he said “It’s unbelievable, I am still trying to take it in – I am very proud of my horse… I am annoyed with myself because that is how we are… we criticise the small thing that went wrong. But she’s a big lady to go fast in an indoor arena. In my heart I knew it was a long shot to win with so many good horses and riders to follow. I certainly didn’t expect to win the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague.”
With over 15,700 spectators filling the stands, Simon Delestre spoke of the full house in the incredible O2 arena supporting the field of 15 riders every step of the way… “The crowd was amazing tonight, the atmosphere was fantastic… after walking round 1 i thought it was tough enough, and i spoke with uliano and he said he was expecting 3-5 clear rounds… and he had 11!”
With a night full of highs and lows, third place Scott Brash brought in his 40th birthday in the best way possible… a podium in the LGCT Super Grand Prix. He said,
“There is always so much drama at this show, you never know what is going to happen next, it’s really entertaining – yesterday was incredible to watch and tonight again – the atmosphere in there is amazing, the crowd, the sound, the audience, the picture – it’s just amazing.”
The relentless pace of the top three left no room for error, with riders such as Gerrit Nieberg (Ping Pong van de Lentamel), Nicola Philippaerts (Katanga v/h Dingeshof) and Harrie Smolders (Monaco) all finishing on 4 faults but unable to match the leading times in a showdown that demanded perfection.
As the fifth edition of the GC Prague Playoffs reached its crescendo, the tension, the intensity and the atmosphere inside the O2 arena once again proved why this event is widely described as the Super Bowl of show jumping.
Jan Tops, President and Founder of the Longines Global Champions Tour, praised the calibre of sport on display: “What you see here is exceptional – champions from across the season coming together in one arena, under immense pressure, delivering performances at the very highest standard. This class is truly unique. The atmosphere in Prague is extraordinary and once again sets the benchmark for world-class sport. Tonight’s record attendance shows how the Playoffs continue to capture the imagination of fans worldwide.”
Event Director Jan Andrlík added: “We are incredibly proud to welcome Global Champions back to Prague. This evening showcased the very best of our sport – outstanding riders, phenomenal horses and a crowd that lives and breathes show jumping. It was a spectacular night.”
In a Grand Prix where mere fractions of a second separated triumph from heartbreak, Abdel Saïd and Bonne Amie etched their names into the history books – champions of an unforgettable 2025 LGCT Super Grand Prix.
Making their mark as the most seasoned contenders in this year’s Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix, riders such as Harrie Smolders on Monaco, Scott Brash with Hello Chadora Lady, and Marco Kutscher aboard Catelly brought a wealth of championship experience into the arena – fully aware of just how much precision and grit would be required to stand on top of the podium in Prague.
Alongside them, several riders entered the LGCT Super Grand Prix spotlight for the very first time. Gerrit Nieberg (Ping Pong van de Lentamel), Anastasia Nielsen (Action Man), Emanuele Camilli (Chacarreno PS) and Gregory Cottard (Cocaine du Val) all earned their debut places through spectacular seasons, proving they belonged on the sport’s most prestigious stage.
Round 1 immediately showcased the exceptional calibre of the field, with 0 riders delivering flawless clears:
The scoreboard remained incredibly tight as nearly every other combination finished with only a single fence down – proof of the unforgiving standard of sport on display. The only significant setback came for Philipp Weishaupt and Kokomo B, who had an early end to their campaign opting to retire.
With such minimal separation across the leaderboard, all of the remaining 14 riders were still serious podium contenders heading into Round 2. It was set to be one of the closest LGCT Super Grand Prix battles ever witnessed.
Round 2 brought the drama the Prague crowd had been waiting for. In a surprising twist, only one of the riders who jumped clear in Round 1 ultimately finished within the top five, keeping the 16,000-strong audience on the edge of their seats until the final horse crossed the finish line.
Determined to rewrite history, riders chased perfection under immense pressure. Christian Kukuk and Chageorge, despite their trademark speed, couldn’t keep the rails in place and slipped down the leaderboard. Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga v/h Dingeshof, hopeful after a faultless first round, added costly penalties that derailed their podium hopes.
In the ultimate showdown, Abdel Saïd and Bonne Amie produced a composed and blistering Round 2 performance, ending the night on 4 faults with a leading time of 62.43 seconds, a performance no one could topple.
Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper came heartbreakingly close – also finishing on 4 faults, but just two hundredths slower in 62.45 seconds. Rounding off the podium, Scott Brash and Hello Chadora Lady delivered another classy effort for 4 faults in 62.81 seconds, completing one of the tightest top-three finishes in LGCT Super Grand Prix history.
Former LGCT Season Champion Harrie Smolders put in a trademark polished performance aboard Monaco. But despite their consistency, the pair’s time of 66.40 seconds with 4 faults was not enough to challenge the lightning-fast leaders, ultimately securing a place inside the top five rather than on the podium.
As the tension built, Marco Kutscher and Catelly were among the first to lay down the pressure in the second round, tightening the screws with a competitive 67.22 seconds on 4 faults to reshuffle the order. Their lead, however, was short-lived as the class unfolded.
Fresh off a strong first round, Christian Kukuk and Chageorge looked set to mount a serious challenge, but an aggressive pace resulted in rails falling, leaving them on 8 faults in 64.99 seconds and out of contention. Meanwhile, Gregory Cottard and Cocaine du Val impressed with a typically forward rhythm, but an early error left them with 8 faults in 66.34 seconds, unable to disrupt the top of the table.
All eyes then turned to the Round 1 frontrunners.
Abdel Saïd and Bonne Amie, already in touching distance of the title after a razor-sharp opening round, entered the arena knowing that one more powerful performance could secure the win. Rising to the moment, the pair delivered a blistering second effort in 62.43 seconds, finishing on 4 faults and rocketing into the lead.
But the drama didn’t end there.
Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper, renowned for their slick footspeed, chased Saïd’s time with everything they had. In one of the closest finishes in the LGCT Super Grand Prix history, they stopped the clock in 62.45 seconds, also on 4 faults, missing the lead by just two hundredths of a second.
Scott Brash and Hello Chadora Lady, sitting well within striking range after Round 1, produced another phenomenal performance. Their smooth, balanced round in 62.81 seconds, again with 4 faults, placed them just behind the Frenchmen and secured their place on the 2025 podium.
Further down the field, the pressure took its toll. Gerrit Nieberg and Ping Pong van de Lentamel added vital time, finishing on 4 faults in 63.01 seconds, while Nicola Philippaerts and Katanga v/h Dingeshof slipped behind after one expensive rail in round one as the only clear in round 2.
When the final horse crossed the finish line, it was clear: Abdel Saïd and Bonne Amie were the undeniable champions of the 2025 LGCT Super Grand Prix.
A spectacular prize-giving ceremony followed, where the champions were presented with an exquisite Longines timepiece by Longines CEO Mand president Patrick Aoun, Jan Tops, President of the Longines Global Champions Tour & GCL, and Event Director Jan Andrlík then awarded the prestigious trophies, recognising the riders’ outstanding achievements on this unforgettable night in Prague.
A warm tribute was also paid to the dedicated grooms behind the podium stars. Malin Henlov, Margotx Guillui and David Hornet were honoured with special gifts and trophies, acknowledging their unwavering commitment to the exceptional equine athletes who shone under the lights of the O2 Arena. The emotional moment concluded with a vibrant lap of honour, met with roaring applause from the passionate Prague crowd.
With day three of the GC Prague Playoffs coming to a close, excitement now shifts toward the final showdown – the GCL Super Cup Final, promising yet another day of world-class sport and dramatic team competition.
Results here.
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