2023 GCL Teams Revealed in time for first round this March
After one of the most intense off-season periods ever, the all-star 2023 GCL teams lineup is now available alongside news including top riders switching teams and exciting new names joining the fight for the coveted Championship.
With the 2023 GCL season kicking off in Doha on 2 – 4 March, it’s been a very busy few months for team owners, trainers and managers who have been busy strengthening squads and renewing contracts in a clear sign of how competitive the new season will be. With more than €36 million in the overall season prize purse for GCL (Global Champions League) & LGCT (Logines Global Champions Tour), all 16 teams will be battling for glory with their sights fixed on victory at the high-stakes GCL Finals.
Team spirit, team tactics and the strongest combinations are what’s needed to win. Only the top teams will survive the ultimate showdown in the GCL Super Cup at the season-closing GC Prague Playoffs where a stunning €10 million will be up for grabs in just one weekend this November.
It is a truly international field in the 2023 lineup with riders from different countries uniting as teammates to face down their rivals to dominate the ranking. Once again every team will field a U25 rider as part of GCL’s commitment to the development of talented youth at the top level of showjumping. This year’s power-packed GCL sees 70% of athletes (excluding the U25 competitors) ranked in the top 250 in the world.
There’s a brand new team in the 2023 line-up powered by AlHilal, Riyadh Blue.
The 16 2023 GCL teams are:
- Mexico Amigos – Hans-Dieter Dreher, Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida, Nicolas Pizarro, Sergio Nieto Del Rio, Tom Wachman and Mike Kawai (U25)
- Shanghai Swans – Christian Ahlmann, Max Kuhner, Daniel Deusser, Patrick Stuhlmeyer, Samuel Hutton and Jeanne Sadran (U25)
- Scandinavian Vikings – Linda Heed, Henrik von Eckermann, Evelina Tovek, Alexa Ferrer, Simon Yde and Ingrid Gjelsten (U25)
- Riyadh Blue – Abdulrahman Alrajhi, Abdullah Alsharbatly, David Will, Ramzy Al Duhami, Dalma Malhas and Khaled Almobty (U25)
- Cannes Stars – Kim Emmen, Laura Klaphake, Yuri Mansur, Suus Kuyten, Isabella Russekoff (U25) and Max Wachman (U25)
- Valkenswaard United – John Whitaker, Marcus Ehning, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Andre Thieme, Oliver Lazarus and Gilles Thomas (U25)
- Riesenbeck International (Berlin Eagles) – Ludger Beerbaum, Christian Kukuk, Philipp Weishaupt, Eoin McMahon, Jane Richard and Philipp Schulze Topphoff (U25)
- Rome Gladiators – Michael Duffy, Trevor Breen, Jos Verlooy, Shane Breen, Beth Underhill and Nina Mallevaey (U25)
- Monaco Aces – Jens Baackmann, Francisco Jose Mesquita Musa, Niklaus Schurtenberger, Holger Hetzel, Jeremy Sweetnam and Sara Vingralkova (U25)
- Paris Panthers – Ben Maher, Harrie Smolders, Jur Vrieling, Ioli Mytilineou, Gregory Wathelet and Natalie Dean (U25)
- Madrid in Motion – Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, Eric van der Vleuten, Laura Kraut, Mark Mcauley, Maikel van der Vleuten and Jack Whitaker (U25)
- St.Tropez Pirates – Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, Simon Delestre, Katrin Eckermann, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, Athina Onassis and Michael Pender (U25)
- Stockholm Hearts – Peder Fredricson, Olivier Philippaerts, Nicola Philippaerts, Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Lillie Keenan and Lily Attwood (U25)
- Prague Lions – Pieter Devos, Anna Kellnerova, Johnny Pals, Fernando Martinez Sommer, Niels Bruynseels and Thibeau Spits (U25)
- New York Empire – Georgina Bloomberg, Denis Lynch, Scott Brash, Spencer Smith, Frank Schuttert and Jodie Hall Mcateer (U25)
- Istanbul Warriors – Derin Demirsoy, Omer Karaevli, Efe Siyahi, Abdel Said, Andreas Schou and Johanna Beckmann (U25).
Headline moves for 2023, the 8th season of the thrilling GCL team series includes:
—> Shanghai Swans pick up German maestro Daniel Deusser to boost their firepower
—> Olympic Gold Medalist Laura Kraut transfers to Madrid In Motion
—> Mark Rein’s Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV secure Michael Duffy
—> Popular Dutch Champion Frank Schuttert joins the roster of Georgina Bloomberg’s New York Empirepowered by Lugano Diamonds
—> Hungry for success the St Tropez Pirates have a huge shake-up, signing 4 new riders Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli, Katrin Eckermann, Simon Delestre and Marlon Modolo Zanotelli.
—> Jur Vrieling switches to Jennifer Gates’ team, Paris Panthers for the competitive 2023 season
—> Brand new team for 2023 the Riyadh Blue squad powered by AlHilal
Fascinatingly, the two highest-ranked teams of the intense 2022 season, Berlin Eagles now named Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland and Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M keep their squads exactly the same, feeling confident in their winning teams.
Last year’s champions Riesenbeck International keep their strong lineup of Ludger Beerbaum, Christian Kukuk, Philipp Weishaupt, Eoin McMahon, Jane Richard and U25 Philipp Schulze Topphoff. While the highly competitive Stockholm Hearts field Peder Fredricson, Olivier Philippaerts, Nicola Philippaerts, Malin Baryard Johnsson, Lillie Keenan and Lily Attwood (U25) again.
Valkenswaard United who finished a close second in 2022’s breathtaking GCL Super Cup are determined to put up a strong challenge with a top new signing reinforcing their squad with Olivier Lazarus joining the legend John Whitaker, Marcus Ehning, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Andre Thieme and talented U25 rider Gilles Thomas.
Looking strong on paper, Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV bring in Irish duo Michael Duffy and Trevor Breen along with Jos Verlooy to join Shane Breen, Beth Underhill and Nina Mallevaey (U25).
Jan Tops, President of the LGCT and GCL, said:
We are thrilled to announce the exciting lineup of the 16 teams for 2023. It will take exceptional team performances to win the GCL Finals and the GCL Super Cup, with incredible prize money on offer. With fantastic U25 talent in the GCL, we continue giving young riders the opportunity to shine at our unique world-class venues.
We want to offer our fans the best in show jumping and this season GCTV will deliver new features using the latest technology to enrich the viewing experience. We are committed to supporting show jumping in every possible way we can with LGCT, GCL and TIA events and I would like to personally thank Longines, our long-time Title Partner and Official Timekeeper of the Longines Global Champions Tour, for their support.”
The individual championship of the Longines Global Champions Tour will again deliver fantastic top sport with the winners of each LGCT Grand Prix booking a place in the LGCT Super Grand Prix with a €1.25M purse.
Show jumping and sporting fans alike will be able to watch all the sporting drama on GCTV which will continue to innovate with new graphics and technology taking fans backstage with the stars at extraordinary events worldwide. GCTV will offer full replays of all classes on-demand and personalised reminders about favourite riders, teams or events – so fans will never miss a key round.
Fasten your seat belts for another turbo-charged GCL season!
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.