A sold-out crowd at Campo Marte witnessed one of the tightest finishes of the 2026 season as St Tropez Pirates produced a composed and clinical display to claim victory in the GCL of Mexico presented by GNP Seguros. In the high-pressure two-round contest, margins were measured in seconds, but the winning team held firm when it mattered most.
Against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico City, St Tropez Pirates finished on four faults in a Round 2 time of 147.23 seconds. Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team matched the winning faults tally but were denied by the clock after finishing in 148.99 seconds. Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois completed an ultra-competitive podium on four faults in 149.41 seconds.
For St Tropez Pirates, it was a breakthrough success and an early-season statement in the championship race, combining experienced riding with youthful confidence.
Kaitlin Campbell, competing in her first season on tour, described the result as a special moment.
“This feeling is definitely not normal – I’m super happy to be here and we had an amazing result today. The whole team does an incredible job keeping us focused and making sure everything goes to plan. Walking into the arena with that crowd is incredible – it just makes the horses jump even higher.”
Her teammate Piergiorgio Bucci added: “Magnificent show, the crowd is amazing and the mare was really good. I’m very happy. We were lucky to be fast enough.”
With only the top 10 teams progressing from round one into the final phase, every fence and every second carried weight.
Bucci set the platform with a polished clear aboard Pallieter vd N.Ranch in 72.87 seconds. Campbell then delivered under pressure on Karius, adding another clear in 74.36 seconds. Their faultless second round proved decisive, allowing them to protect the four faults carried from round one and rise to the top of the standings.
The victory for St Tropez Pirates was built on calm execution rather than risk, a quality often decisive in championship competition.
Istanbul Warriors pushed the winners all the way.
Abdel Saïd produced a stylish clear aboard Wathnan Bonne Amie in 77.44 seconds, but four faults from Simon Delestre and Golden Boy DK, despite a swift 71.55-second effort, left the team just short of top honours. They finished second overall on four faults in 148.99 seconds.
Basel Cosmopolitans also impressed with consistency across both rounds. Olivier Philippaerts rode clear aboard Miro in 75.42 seconds before Zascha Nygaard incurred four faults with Com’On Drako de Maugre in 73.99 seconds. Their combined total secured third on four faults in 149.41 seconds.
New York Empire powered by Lugano narrowly missed the podium in fourth. Max Wachman delivered a clear aboard Fancy de Kergane in 75.90 seconds, while Michael Pender added four faults with HHS Los Angeles in 75.85 seconds. Their final mark was four faults in 151.75 seconds.
A standout performance came from Christian Kukuk, who guided Checker 47 to a lightning-fast clear in 69.98 seconds. Backed up by Ciaran Nallon aboard Casalla Blue PS, Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym climbed into fifth on eight faults in 145.27 seconds.
Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team finished sixth on twelve faults in 147.20 seconds, while Cairo Pharaohs claimed seventh on twelve faults in 148.83 seconds.
Doha Falcons ended eighth on twenty faults, while Valkenswaard United were ninth after elimination. Scandinavian Vikings completed the top ten after a difficult second round.
Several notable teams failed to reach the second round after round one, including Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, Mexico Amigos, Rome Gladiators powered by Cavalleria Toscana, Shanghai Swans, Riyadh Knights, Monaco Aces and Madrid In Motion.
The result gives St Tropez Pirates valuable momentum as the title race gathers pace. More importantly, it reinforces how open and unpredictable the 2026 campaign already appears.
Campo Marte provided theatre, pressure and precision in equal measure. The next stop is Shanghai, where another chapter of the championship battle now awaits.
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