Shock Exits and High-Stakes Drama Define GCL Super Cup Quarter Finals

On the thrilling opening night of the GC Riyadh Playoffs, the GCL Super Cup Quarter Final delivered high-stakes drama and unexpected eliminations, with the Shanghai Swans repeating last year’s Quarter Final rising to the top of the leaderboard for a second year running. Stellar performances by Ben Maher aboard Point Break, Max Kühner on Elektric Blue P, and Daniel Deusser riding Killer Queen VDM secured the team’s leading position heading into tomorrow’s competition.

Eight teams triumphed in the intense knockout round, advancing to the Semi-Final, while Monaco Aces powered by Lion of Porches and 2018 GCL Super Cup Madrid In Motion exited the competition at this stage which saw their hopes dashed, leaving the 2024 GC Riyadh Playoffs on the very first day.

The Shanghai Swans claimed the top spot today, finishing as the only team on a clean sheet between three riders but securing the lead with a faster time. Daniel, Max and Ben debriefed in the GCTV studio where they spoke of their horse power and quiet confidence in their plan for the ultimate final showdown at the GC Playoffs in Riyadh. Maher said, “Through the season we didn't jump many times together with these horses. We really came this week with the experienced horses and hopefully we’ll put it all together going through the week.”

As a teammate and fellow veteran of the GC Playoffs, Max added a word of warning, he added “it's a good start for sure, but we know that a lot can happen. Even if we have the best riders in the world and some of the best horses, a lot of things can happen.  But we will go for it. The Playoffs are always something special and also for us of course something special, where we want to show off, we want to be good and I think we put all our strength together with the best horses that we have and now we will try.”

Tess Carmicheal, co-owner of the Shanghai Swans, expressed her pride in the team's performance, stating, “I’m just over the moon with the team’s performance this evening. You really can’t ask for more than three solid clear rounds. We know that nothing is a given in this sport so although we really appreciate this start, we will continue to fight for the rest of the weekend!”

First to take on the GCL Super Cup Quarter Final Monaco Aces powered by Lion of Porches fell victim to the no drop score with solid rounds from Ines Joly and Luiz Felipe de Azevedo Filho but an unfortunate refusal in the combination meant lots of time faults for Celine Schoonbroot-De Azevedo and Pandora Boy Z to finish on a team total of 41 points and immediately the chances of the Aces qualifying for the Semi Finals seemed to slip away.

The Scandinavian vikings were unlucky with all combinations jumping well but each pair had two rails down to leave them on a team total of 24 faults having a long wait ahead to see if they had done enough to qualify. 

The first clear round of the day came from New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamonds’ Denis Lynch and Vistogrand. Spencer Smith added 12 faults and David Will 4 faults to the scoreboard but crucially had done enough to finish ahead of the previous two teams and secure their spot in tomorrow’s semi-final. 

An elated Francesco Turturiello couldn't hide his emotion as he crossed the finish line adding zero penalties to teammates Giacomo Casadei’s 4 faults, and Emanuele Gaudiano’s 8 faults. He said, “When you ride with Emanuele and Giacomo, they are two super riders and they really support me riding in the team and I want to thank them. Now we are in the Sem Final, let's keep fighting!”

It was a masterclass of perfection from the Shanghai Swans lineup. Three flawless clear rounds from big guns Ben Maher aboard Point Break, Max Kühner on Elektric Blue P, and Daniel Deusser riding Killer Queen VDM setting the pace early on - shooting to the top of the leaderboard.

Finishing mid-field, Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team put on a solid performance with a clear from Abdel Said and Bonne Amie, an unlucky four faults from Andreas Schou and Billy Matador, and eight faults for Olivier Robert and Iglesias D.V. Speaking with Rosie Tapner and GCTV straight off the ringside kiss and cry, team owner and rider Efe Siyahi said “They nailed it. It looks like we qualified for tomorrow, so we are very happy.”

Ultimately finishing the GCL quarter-final as the third strongest team, Valkenswaard United, represented by legends of the sport across generations, Marcus Ehning, Edwina Tops-Alexander, and Gilles Thomas, left the arena with eight penalties on the score sheets.

For the first time, Madrid In Motion haven’t qualified for the GCL Super Cup Semi-final and the weekend is over. In a heartbreaking turn of events, Manuel Fernandez Saro retired Ezilis du Mesnil following a slight stumble immediately dropping Madrid In Motion to the bottom of the order even though it was clear from Maikel van der Vleuten on O'Bailey vh Brouwershof N.O.P. and just a single rail from Eduardo Alvarez Aznar with Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot.

It was a solid start to the week for Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV with two clears from Kyle Timm on Casino Calvin and Lorenzo de Luca with Denver de Talma. An unlucky one down for Nina Mallevaey riding Dynastie de Beaufour put the Gladiators into prime position for tomorrow. Prague Lions, powered by the Czech Equestrian team survive another day finishing with 16 faults but good enough to take on the challenge tomorrow.

With the top four teams from the 2024 GCL Championship earning direct entry to the Semi-Final, today’s Quarter Final posed a challenging test for the remaining 10 teams as they fought to secure their spots in the next round.

The top four teams from the GCL Championship season - Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian, Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses and Doha Falcons - are set to rejoin the action in tomorrow’s Semi-Final.

Attention now turns to tomorrow’s GCL Super Cup Semi-Final, where all 12 teams will start on a clean slate, levelling the playing field. With everything to play for, teams will need precise tactics, strategic planning, and unwavering focus as they vie for a coveted spot in Sunday’s GCL Super Cup Final.