There are nights in sport when everything slows down — when months of pressure, passion, and pursuit all crystallize into one perfect moment. For Valkenswaard United, that moment came under the brilliant Riyadh lights, as they sealed a breathtaking third GCL Championship title by the slimmest of margins — just 0.27 seconds.
In front of an electrified Saudi crowd, the blue-and-gold brigade of Gilles Thomas and Hans-Dieter Dreher delivered performances carved from ice and nerve, guiding Ermitage Kalone and Vestmalle des Cotis to a victory that will be etched into Global Champions League folklore. Their triumph, worth its share of the €8.5 million prize, marked not just another trophy — but a story of precision, partnership, and pure grit.
A Championship Decided by Fractions
It was a duel that gripped fans from start to finish. The Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, with Sophie Hinners and Katrin Eckermann at the helm, fought valiantly to the end, missing the overall crown by mere fractions of a second. The final scoreboard told a tale of heartbreak and heroics — Valkenswaard United atop with 326 points, Cannes Stars on 315, and Shanghai Swans in third on 272.
In a night of high stakes, the Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team suffered an unexpected elimination after a refusal from Fernando Martinez Sommer, opening the door for Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym. With a gutsy ride from Christian Kukuk and Emanuele Camilli, they clinched fourth place by a single point — enough to fast-track them into the GCL Super Cup Semi-Finals in Prague.
Heroes, Heartbreaks, and History
The Riyadh finale wasn’t just a competition — it was theatre on horseback. Under the watchful eyes of His Highness Prince Abdullah Bin Fahad Bin Abdullah Al Saud and Jan Tops, the Valkenswaard United riders were crowned champions amid a sea of applause. Behind the spotlight, the grooms who shaped the season’s success — Stefan Stan, Sanne Melsen, Kelsey Jandura, Valentine Hssein, Marine Renauder, and Mariella Offner — were honoured, reminding everyone that greatness is always a team effort.
Thomas, draped in the double winner’s sash, summed it up simply:
“It’s been tight all season with the ladies from Cannes Stars. Today again, it came down to fine margins — but we worked hard for this moment.”
His teammate Dreher echoed the sentiment:
“We fight together, we lose together — that’s what makes us strong.”
The Final Standings
Top 10 – 2025 GCL Championship:
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Valkenswaard United – 326 pts
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Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames – 315 pts
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Shanghai Swans – 272 pts
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Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym – 262 pts
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Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team – 261 pts
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Madrid in Motion – 238 pts
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Basel Cosmopolitans – 233 pts
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Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team – 212 pts
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New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds – 207 pts
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St Tropez Pirates – 202 pts
The Road to Riyadh
Course designer Uliano Vezzani crafted a 1.60m test that pushed even the world’s best to their limits. Only four teams managed to stay clear in Round 1, setting up a nail-biting second round that saw fortunes swing by a single rail or a split-second.
The Prague Lions’ hopes of automatic Super Cup qualification evaporated after two refusals, while Riesenbeck International’s cool under fire secured them the last Semi-Final berth. Valkenswaard United, meanwhile, weathered their own tense moments — Dreher clipped one rail early, but Thomas produced a flawless clear to close the show and crown a season of near-perfection.
The Cannes Stars, valiant and poised, gave chase with breathtaking precision. But fate, and 0.27 seconds, sided with Valkenswaard United.
Looking Ahead to Prague
As the dust settled over Riyadh, the storylines shifted toward the €10 million GCL Super Cup in Prague. The top four teams — Valkenswaard United, Cannes Stars, Shanghai Swans, and Riesenbeck International — will head straight into the Semi-Finals, carrying both confidence and momentum.
For the rest of the grid, the Quarter Finals await — a fierce test where dreams can either ignite or fade.
Read more global equestrian stories and updates on RaceBuzz.
