Doha Falcons triumphed for the second week in a row by securing the win at GCL Stockholm presented by Norrviken. Jérôme Guery today June 29th, 2024. Simon Delestre and Julien Anquetin emerged victorious in round 1 with Quel Homme de Hus, Dexter Fontenis Z and Z Ice Cube Z.
Last year’s overall GCL season Champions Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland picked up another big points haul after a rocky first part of the season. Featuring Christian Kukuk on Nice van’t Zorgvliet, Philipp Weishaupt with Zineday and Harry Allen onboard Lukaku vd Bisschop, they were the only other team to finish on just four faults, taking second place only 7 seconds slower than Doha Falcons.
Much to the Swedish crowds delight Scandinavian Vikings secured their first podium of the year as Henrik von Eckerman on King Edward, Nicola Pohl with Catz de Sulpice and Evelina Tovek riding Moeboetoe v/d Roshoeve stepped up to the plate in third.
During the course walk of round one, winning rider Simon Delestre spoke to Rosie Tapner and GCTV of the game plan and focus for the team. He said, “We really focus for the team [overall] ranking, we are in third now, sometimes we have a bit of bad luck, but we fight for it today.”
And fight they did. Taking the win for the second week running, the on form riders Jérôme Guery, Simon Delestre and Julien Anquetin put the pressure on and came out on top. Following their win, Simon said: “We have a fantastic team spirit, we are all good friends and to fight together instead of against each other is something really cool.”
With some movement on the Championship Standings for the Scandinavian Vikings, a long awaited podium finish finally arrived. Home hero and world number 1, Henrik von Eckermann said, “We haven’t had a great season so far, but with a podium it is great, Nicola made a great round and put the pressure on me to not mess it up, but luckily I was on King Edward!”
Teammate Nicola Pohl went on to add, “I must say the atmosphere here was incredible, maybe also because Henrik was on the team it felt like they were supporting us a little extra, and the great fans and great atmosphere really made it a great day!”
Podium veterans Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian finished in a well deserved second place, ultimately finishing 7 seconds ahead of third. The fourth podium for the 2024 season. Christian Kukuk spoke of the team’s reignited championship hope. He said: “We haven’t had as many podiums as last year, a few more second places rather than wins… There are more shows left for the season and we are definitely still fighting for the win.”
Huge shake-up in the 2024 Championship Standings after Stage 9:
1st Place: Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses: 176 points
2nd Place: Doha Falcons: 170 points
3rd Place: Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames: 169 points
4th Place: Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland: 161 points
The Championship now heads straight to the iconic destination of Monaco, 4 – 6 July, where the 10th round of action will take place in the stunning Port d’Hercule surrounded by super yachts.
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.