The GCL of Mexico City, presented by GNP Seguros, added another thrilling chapter to the 2025 Global Champions League season, as the world’s top teams battled for supremacy at the iconic Campo Marte. With a passionate crowd fueling the intensity, the competition witnessed two electrifying rounds, culminating in a significant shake-up of the championship standings.
Rising to the occasion, Shanghai Swans showcased an impeccable display of precision and strategy, securing a dominant victory. The only team to finish on a clean sheet, their flawless second-round performance sent a powerful statement to their GCL title rivals.
The decisive moment came when Max Kühner, aboard EIC Cooley Jump the Q, delivered a clear round under immense pressure, sealing the win for the Swans. Earlier, Katharina Rhomberg had already set the tone, riding two different horses to a rare double clear. Christian Ahlmann, the team’s anchor, had also played a crucial role in securing their commanding position.
An emotional Rhomberg, beaming in the GCTV Studio, could hardly contain her excitement:
“I can’t believe it, actually. It’s like a dream – riding here at this incredible venue, at such an amazing show, and winning? It’s just incredible!”
Meanwhile, the fight for podium positions was equally intense, with Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames and Riesenbeck International powered by HorseGym pushing each other to the wire.
Cannes Stars claimed a hard-fought second place with only four faults, thanks to standout performances from Sanne Thijsen on Con Quidam RB and Katrin Eckermann with Iron Dames Cala Mandia NRW. Riesenbeck International, the defending champions, showcased their trademark consistency, securing third place through strong rides from Marco Kutscher and Maximilian Weishaupt.
Eckermann, who delivered clear rounds on both her mounts, expressed her delight:
“I have to say, both my horses jumped incredibly… With this team spirit around us, it’s a lot of fun, and I really enjoyed my rounds.”
With this victory, Shanghai Swans surged to second place in the championship standings with 41 points, while Cannes Stars extended their lead to 55 points. Prague Lions, close behind with 38 points, remain in contention as the season heats up.
Marco Kutscher, reflecting on Riesenbeck International’s third-place finish, acknowledged the team’s new lineup and said “Congratulations to my teammates Max [Weishaupt] and Emanuele Camilli, who rode the first round. We’re really happy with that third place, and climbing the championship standings is excellent.”
With eight teams producing flawless rounds in the opening stage and several others trailing by just a rail, the competition was wide open heading into Round 2. Valkenswaard United, New York Empire powered by Lugano, and Rome Gladiators powered by Cavalleria Toscana opted to stick with their original horse-rider combinations, placing their faith in consistency.
But Round 2 proved to be a game-changer, with a formidable 1.60m course testing even the sport’s biggest names. Showjumping legends John Whitaker and Simon Delestre faced unexpected refusals, while Denis Lynch and Vistogrand recorded the first clear round for New York Empire powered by Lugano. However, two costly rails from Michael Pender and HHS Los Angeles left the team on 12 faults, despite their fast time keeping them in contention for a while.
The home crowd placed high hopes on Mexico Amigos powered by H5 Stables, but despite enthusiastic support, their bid for a podium finish fell short. Eduardo Pereira de Menezes and Hot N Spicy picked up two rails, while Carlos Hank Guerreiro and H5 Shaq Attack added four more faults, leaving them with a total of 16.
Riesenbeck International kept themselves in the hunt with just four faults, following strong rounds from Marco Kutscher on Aventador S and Maximilian Weishaupt aboard DSP Omerta Incipit. Meanwhile, Madrid In Motion executed a near-perfect strategy, as Manuel Fernandez Saro and Ezilis du Mesnil delivered a flawless double clear. But their tactical horse swap for Maikel van der Vleuten proved costly, as a single rail and a heart-wrenching time fault left them just off the podium in fourth place with five faults.
The Shanghai Swans, however, were simply unstoppable. Bringing out their best horses for Round 2, Max Kühner and EIC Cooley Jump the Q delivered a textbook-perfect clear, followed by Katharina Rhomberg’s dazzling double clear on Cuma 5. Their unmatched performance propelled them to the top of the leaderboard, sending the Mexican crowd into a frenzy.
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