A roar erupted across the O2 Arena as Peder Fredricson kissed his horse’s neck, a mixture of relief, triumph, and sheer joy lighting up his face. The Rome Gladiators, powered by Cavalleria Toscana, had done it — clinching the 2025 GCL Super Cup after a week of drama, skill, and relentless pressure that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Over 40,000 spectators bore witness to a championship where every jump mattered, every second counted, and every team displayed the finest show-jumping talent the world has to offer.
From the very first round, the intensity was palpable. Emanuele Gaudiano aboard Esteban De Hus, Yuri Mansur on QH Alfons Santo Antonio, and Peder Fredricson with Alcapone Des Carmille combined to produce a remarkable team performance, finishing with just 12 faults across two demanding 1.60m rounds. Their victory was not just a testament to talent but to unshakeable belief, resilience under pressure, and teamwork that refused to falter even in the sport’s most electric arena.
High Drama and Fierce Rivalries
Valkenswaard United fought valiantly to secure second place, with Marcus Ehning & Coolio 42, Hans-Dieter Dreher & Elysium, and Gilles Thomas & Ermitage Kalone producing clutch performances that lifted them from early setbacks to a podium finish — the fourth time the team has ended as runners-up in the GCL Super Cup. Denis Lynch’s New York Empire powered by Lugano rounded out the top three, delivering a thrilling performance despite a slightly slower time than Valkenswaard, earning them a well-deserved spot on the podium.
The evening was filled with unexpected twists. Riesenbeck International, previous GCL champions, saw a promising first round collapse dramatically when Christian Kukuk’s Checker 47 refused a fence, setting off a chain of penalties that ended their hopes of another title. Basel Cosmopolitans, too, demonstrated their grit, though a few costly rails in Round 2 left them just outside the top three.
For the home crowd, the Prague Lions’ charge inspired moments of hope and heartbreak alike. Despite strong individual performances, including Pieter Devos and Niels Bruynseels, the team finished fourth with 32 penalties, narrowly missing the podium in an arena that spares no one from the pressure and unpredictability of the GCL Super Cup.
Champions Defined by Precision and Nerves of Steel
The Rome Gladiators entered Round 2 with the weight of expectation upon them. Emanuele Gaudiano’s opening 4-fault round kept the team in contention, while Yuri Mansur delivered a crucial 4 faults under immense pressure. Anchorman Peder Fredricson held nothing back, guiding Alcapone Des Carmille through a flawless, adrenaline-charged round in 72.67 seconds. The team’s total of 12 penalties secured their historic win, the culmination of weeks of preparation, determination, and a belief that anything was possible when talent met teamwork.
The closing ceremony celebrated not just the riders but the grooms, those tireless caretakers of equine athletes, who stepped into the spotlight to receive trophies recognizing their crucial role in the Gladiators’ success. Their cheers echoed across the arena, a fitting tribute to a team effort that had captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
With the GCL Super Cup Final providing breathtaking moments from first jump to last, the 2025 season concluded in style, leaving fans counting the days until the league’s 10th anniversary in 2026.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to
Rome Gladiators Claim 2025 GCL Super Cup in Heart-Stopping Prague Finale
A roar erupted across the O2 Arena as Peder Fredricson kissed his horse’s neck, a mixture of relief, triumph, and sheer joy lighting up his face. The Rome Gladiators, powered by Cavalleria Toscana, had done it — clinching the 2025 GCL Super Cup after a week of drama, skill, and relentless pressure that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Over 40,000 spectators bore witness to a championship where every jump mattered, every second counted, and every team displayed the finest show-jumping talent the world has to offer.
From the very first round, the intensity was palpable. Emanuele Gaudiano aboard Esteban De Hus, Yuri Mansur on QH Alfons Santo Antonio, and Peder Fredricson with Alcapone Des Carmille combined to produce a remarkable team performance, finishing with just 12 faults across two demanding 1.60m rounds. Their victory was not just a testament to talent but to unshakeable belief, resilience under pressure, and teamwork that refused to falter even in the sport’s most electric arena.
High Drama and Fierce Rivalries
Valkenswaard United fought valiantly to secure second place, with Marcus Ehning & Coolio 42, Hans-Dieter Dreher & Elysium, and Gilles Thomas & Ermitage Kalone producing clutch performances that lifted them from early setbacks to a podium finish — the fourth time the team has ended as runners-up in the GCL Super Cup. Denis Lynch’s New York Empire powered by Lugano rounded out the top three, delivering a thrilling performance despite a slightly slower time than Valkenswaard, earning them a well-deserved spot on the podium.
The evening was filled with unexpected twists. Riesenbeck International, previous GCL champions, saw a promising first round collapse dramatically when Christian Kukuk’s Checker 47 refused a fence, setting off a chain of penalties that ended their hopes of another title. Basel Cosmopolitans, too, demonstrated their grit, though a few costly rails in Round 2 left them just outside the top three.
For the home crowd, the Prague Lions’ charge inspired moments of hope and heartbreak alike. Despite strong individual performances, including Pieter Devos and Niels Bruynseels, the team finished fourth with 32 penalties, narrowly missing the podium in an arena that spares no one from the pressure and unpredictability of the GCL Super Cup.
Champions Defined by Precision and Nerves of Steel
The Rome Gladiators entered Round 2 with the weight of expectation upon them. Emanuele Gaudiano’s opening 4-fault round kept the team in contention, while Yuri Mansur delivered a crucial 4 faults under immense pressure. Anchorman Peder Fredricson held nothing back, guiding Alcapone Des Carmille through a flawless, adrenaline-charged round in 72.67 seconds. The team’s total of 12 penalties secured their historic win, the culmination of weeks of preparation, determination, and a belief that anything was possible when talent met teamwork.
The closing ceremony celebrated not just the riders but the grooms, those tireless caretakers of equine athletes, who stepped into the spotlight to receive trophies recognizing their crucial role in the Gladiators’ success. Their cheers echoed across the arena, a fitting tribute to a team effort that had captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
With the GCL Super Cup Final providing breathtaking moments from first jump to last, the 2025 season concluded in style, leaving fans counting the days until the league’s 10th anniversary in 2026.
For more stories, results, and updates from the world of horse racing, stay tuned to RaceBuzz.
.
