In a sun-drenched Circus Maximus, the emotion was palpable as the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames delivered a masterclass in show jumping, keeping their championship hopes very much alive. With two flawless rounds, they surged to victory at the GCL Rome stage, drawing level on points with leaders Valkenswaard United and setting the stage for a nail-biting finale.
Under the shadow of Rome’s ancient arches, Sophie Hinners aboard Iron Dames Combella and Katrin Eckermann riding Chao Lee & Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS combined precision, courage, and seamless teamwork to finish on 0 faults with a time of 151.17 seconds. Their performance electrified the crowd, proving why they remain a force to be reckoned with as the 2025 season heads into its final two stages.
“It’s always special to win with this team,” Eckermann said. “We trust each other completely, and the horses were in fantastic form today. Rome is one of the most beautiful shows on the circuit, and this win means everything for our championship fight.” Hinners added, “We are proud to be on top of the podium today. It makes us so happy to see these championship points, and now we need to fight until the end!”
Thrilling Battles Across the Board
The competition was fierce. Doha Falcons impressed with consistent rounds from Sheikh Ali Al Khalid Al Thani on Com’on Stanley and Bassem Mohammed aboard Rocket Man, finishing second with a combined 4 faults. “I am really happy with my team and my horse who jumped amazing today,” Sheikh Ali said. “This result helps the team rise in the rankings, so we are thrilled.”
The Paris Panthers claimed a first podium of the season with Guido Grimaldi on Gentleman and Clara Pezzoli on Fantasia de Beaufour & Hadewyn van’t Ravennest, finishing on 6 faults. Pezzoli was emotional: “It is just incredible. I think today there was magic in the air!” Grimaldi added, “It was our home town, and for two Italians to be on the podium at such a challenging tour, we are so proud.”
Valkenswaard United, still officially leading due to a higher number of wins, saw Hans Dieter Dreher and Gilles Thomas falter, opening the door for Cannes Stars. Meanwhile, Shanghai Swans, Riesenbeck International, and other contenders experienced ups and downs on a demanding Uliano Vezzani-designed course, highlighting the razor-thin margins that define world-class show jumping.
Rome Recap: Fine Margins and Flawless Rounds
Round 1 in Rome set the tone, with eight teams jumping clear and several more just a rail behind. By round 2, eliminations reshaped the leaderboard, leaving Cannes Stars to seize the moment. Doha Falcons’ disciplined strategy paid off, while Paris Panthers made an emotional leap onto the podium, proving that perseverance and skill can turn the tide even in the most high-stakes arenas.
As the championship now rests on a knife’s edge, both Cannes Stars and Valkenswaard United sit on 277 points each. Shanghai Swans (246) and Prague Lions (241) remain within striking distance, ensuring that the upcoming stages in Rabat and Riyadh will be contested with every ounce of precision, courage, and heart that has defined the 2025 GCL season.
Read the full report and updates on the 2025 GCL Championship at RaceBuzz here.
