In a breathtaking spectacle of raw emotion, unrelenting tension, and unmatched skill, Stockholm Hearts, powered by H&M We Love Horses, claimed the coveted €6.5 million GCL Super Cup 2024 title. This unforgettable triumph, etched forever in the annals of show jumping history, culminated in a performance that left the crowd in awe.
The air crackled with anticipation as the stage was set for an evening that would push the boundaries of equestrian sport. The arena came alive, with each stride resonating with riders and spectators alike. In a moment of pure brilliance, Malin Baryard-Johnsson on H&M Indiana, Nicola Philippaerts with Katanga v/h Dingeshof and Julien Epillard aboard Donatello d’Auge delivered a flawless performance, securing GCL Super Cup crown. Meanwhile, Shanghai Swans’ Ben Maher riding Point Break, Daniel Deusser with Killer Queen VDM and Max Kühner on Elektric Blue P fought valiantly but settled for second place.
The competition unfolded like a gripping drama, where every jump, every turn, and every stride carried the immense weight of personal glory and the fate of the team. The intensity was tangible, the stakes impossibly high, as riders faced two formidable 1.60m courses that left no margin for error and demanded absolute perfection.
The tension hit its peak as Stockholm Hearts battled down to the final fence. With packed grandstands in the heart of Riyadh, the atmosphere was electric. The crowd held their breath with every jump, a chorus of gasps and cheers resonating through the stadium. In the decisive moment, Julien Epillard aboard and d’Auge delivered a flawless finish, securing a dramatic victory for Stockholm Hearts.
Not only did His Excellency Bader Alkadi, Vice-Minister of Sports, His Highness Prince Abdullah Bin Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Saud, Chairman of Saudi Arabian Equestrian Federation, President of Host Organizing Committee and the Founder and President of GCL Jan Tops present trophies to the riders but also the grooms from all three teams as a recognition to their role in the team.
The Super Cup podium (l-r) Shanghai Swans, Stockholm Hearts and Riesenbeck International. (Stefano Grasso/LGCT)
The winning team of the GCL Super Cup were joined by the Senior Manager, Destination Marketing, Middle East and Africa, Ms. Mirvat Wehbe from Hilton Luxury Brands on the podium to present the grand prize of a trip for each of the riders to the Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay.
Nicola Philippaerts is the first person ever to win two GCL Super Cup titles — today and in 2021 with London Knights. He told GCTV, “It is the world’s best horses and riders here. I am very honoured that I have always been in very good teams in the GCL. I think for sure Stockholm Hearts is a fantastic team and through the year we struggled left and right but we really focused on coming here with the best team and today was unbelievable. We have such a strong team spirit which is also crucial.”
In the Stockholm Hearts winners interview Malin Bayard-Johnsson beamed with joy. “This victory has erased any disappointment this season — it is just fantastic this one show totally has that power. I think every rider riding today felt the pressure and I think everybody was 200% focused. Today was very important. We put pressure on ourselves but we don’t put pressure on each other. It’s a good atmosphere in the team for sure.”
Mid-season signing for the Stockholm Hearts Julien Epaillard played a crucial role as the last rider to go: “I feel good with the result, but yeah, it was a bit of pressure on me, I was last to go when Malin decided the team order for us. My horse has only jumped clear rounds all weekend, so we are so happy.”
Shanghai Swans’ Ben Maher spoke about how the GCL team concept of riding with different nations is so powerful. “It’s a big team effort. That’s what makes this competition so unique, the chance to be able to ride with these three guys from Germany and Austria on the team, it’s like a dream team, an incredible experience. I am so happy that I can be part of the great result at the end of the season. It’s been an incredible team to work with this year.”
Teammate Daniel Deusser told GCTV, “We had fair courses but very difficult courses. I am very proud of our team — we had a fantastic team here, not only the three of us, but also our team owners behind us all the way. It was a very good week, it worked out. We are very happy.”
From third-place team Riesenbeck International, Philipp Weishaupt smiled, saying, “We have the best riders in the world here and the best sport and I think to watch this competition was extremely exciting and the form is fantastic — I am a big, big fan of the Playoffs. Overall we are extremely delighted with the results. Today, Stockholm Hearts were very difficult to beat, they were just in their own league. With no scratch results and every result counts, every single jump has to be on the spot, there is no room for mistakes.”
Eoin McMahon couldn’t contain his emotion as he spoke of this comeback result for his horse Mila. “I don’t think there’s words that can describe her. It’s been exactly seven months since her accident, and … I don’t know, I don’t know what to say. It means everything to have her back, we didn’t know if we would lose her at one point. I think she’s a credit to the team at home, Heather, Marie, Bella, our grooms, our vets, everyone, and herself.”
After an iconic year, Christian Kukuk topped it off with yet another podium and went on to add, “We were not sure what time I had to get and we thought it was actually impossible. But then I said to Ludger ‘let me try’ and I will ride it like a jump off, and he agreed. That’s what I did and it didn’t work out. In the end we had one fault too many. But like Philipp said, we should be happy today. You can see what that means for us.”
GCL founder and president Jan Tops spoke in the press conference about tonight’s competition. “It’s a very high standard. Today we had a full house. And I think we have to build a tradition here in these new countries, and I’m sure if you see a night like this with this kind of sport, ambience, graphics, everything picture perfect, you know after two-three years we will have it all perfect. Today, the Stockholm Hearts had a fantastic evening and it was well deserved to win tonight.”
As the sliding doors opened on round two of the 2024 Super Cup Final, the tension was palpable. This is what the teams had been working towards and strategizing for all season long.
First to go, the Scandinavian Vikings, bringing forward 24 penalties from round 1. Donald Whitaker on Millfield Colette, the pathfinder in both round 1 and round 2, put on a flawless display and kicked things off as the team intended to go around. An unfortunate collection of 20 penalties for Sara Vingralkova and Kas-Sini DC, with Jur Vrieling adding just one single rail, and finishing on a team total of 48 penalties over the two rounds, and firmly out of the placings.
As the team owner and manager, Gier Gulliksen, reacted from the kiss & cry, “The team will learn from this and will come back stronger.”
Enter the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, the 2024 GCL season Champion team. When it didn’t go to plan for team pathfinders and the traditionally ultra-consistent duo of Sophie Hinners on Iron Dames My Prins adding eight penalties to the team’s round 1 score of 16 penalties, it seemed a place was out of reach. Even with flawless clears from Katrin Eckermann on Iron Dames Cala Mandia NRW and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmerman on Messi van ‘t Ruytershof, the podium was just not meant to be for this team.
As a team predicted for the podium, Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team of Niels Bruynseels on Origi vd Vosberg, Thibeau Spits on Impress-K van ‘t Kattenheye Z and podium veterans Pieter Devos on Toupie de la Roque, carrying forward 12 penalties from round 1, a single rail for Spits and Bruynseels left the team total on 20 over the two rounds. Perhaps a podium was within reach… three teams to go.
The team that could possibly do the hat-trick… Shanghai Swans and the force of Ben Maher on Point Break, Daniel Deusser on Killer Queen VDM and Max Kühner on Elektric Blue P. Leaders throughout the 2024 GCL Super Cup campaign at the GC Riyadh Playoffs, brought forward two rails from round 1. With just two teams to go, the trio of Maher, Deusser and Kühner knew what they needed to do to, at a minimum, finish on the podium. Point Break became the first horse in the six year GCL Super Cup history to jump a quadruple clear round – leaving all rails up throughout the GCL Super Cup campaign this week in Riyadh. An agonizing single rail falling for Kühner on Elektric Blue P left the team on a total of 12, and holding onto a comfortable lead from the Prague Lions.
Two teams to go. Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian; Kukuk, McMahon, Weishaupt and Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses; Philippaerts, Baryard-Johnsson and Epillard. Not riders you want following you while trying to keep a grip on the lead.
Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian – reigning GCL Super Cup winners and a force to contend with. Carrying a single rail through from round 1, the team pathfinders Eoin McMahon on Mila yet again handled the pressure, coming home with a clear. Two riders to go. Philipp Weishaupt on Coby 8 — a stumble at 9B had the crowd gasp as the fence fell, followed quickly by a single brick off the imposing wall, exiting the arena on eight penalties. Team total = 12. Enter: Christian Kukuk and Checker 47.
Overheard as saying “ride it like a jump-off” using his experience to know that the time could mean the difference between first and second, Ludger Beerbaum – team owner and manager, could barely watch on. With the pedal to the metal, Kukuk and Checker 47 had a heartbreaking single rail at fence four, slipping the team behind the Swans and into a tentative second. No more rails fell, leaving the team total of 16, and holding a position of second.
Using their huge advantage as the last team to go, the Stockholm Hearts, powered by H&M We Love Horses, entered with a plan, and a spectacular execution to follow. First to go for the team, Nicola Philippaerts on Katanga v/h Dingeshof took a rail in the treble combination but finished strong in a tidy time. Malin Baryard-Johnsson on H&M Indiana, one of the most consistent horses in the GCL in history, knew that they had one rail in hand to take the win. A flawless clear round had Malin beaming from ear to ear as she brought ‘Indi’ to a walk, and had the anxious wait of the last to go, Julien Epillard on Donatello d’Auge, to tackle the course.
Knowing time could come into play, the ultra-cool and ultra-quick Frenchman upped the ante with the win in mind. The crowd jumped every jump with the duo, with cheers echoing around the packed stadium as the pair crossed the finish line, securing the GCL Super Cup win for the Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses.
As the arena quieted and the echoes of victory reverberated, Stockholm Hearts emerged not just as GCL Super Cup champions but as creators of an unforgettable moment — a night that will forever stand as a landmark in the history of elite equestrian sport.
And with that the 2024 season comes to an end…
Full results here.
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