The 2024 GC Riyadh Playoffs Line Up Revealed for Historic Showdown

Anticipation is high for the 2024 GC Riyadh Playoffs

In two weeks’ time, the GC Playoffs will touch down in Riyadh for the first time ever. From November 20-23, the world’s top riders will battle it out for victory in the capital of Saudi Arabia in the 2024 GC Riyadh Playoffs for an impressive prize pool of over €11 million, bringing a spectacular close to the 2024 season.

The event promises an exhilarating showcase of world-class talent and entertainment, featuring the top athletes competing in both the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix and the GCL Super Cup. Today, the official lineup for the highly anticipated GC Riyadh Playoffs was announced, showcasing the very best of equestrian skill and sportsmanship.

Fans can look forward to four days of top-tier competition, beginning with the GCL knockout Quarter and Semi-Finals on Wednesday 20th and Thursday 21st, and culminating in the thrilling GCL Super Cup Final on Saturday 23 November. Teams are carefully strategizing rider and horse pairings, aiming to secure a coveted GCL Super Cup victory.

At the GC Riyadh Playoffs, 14 teams will compete fielding a team of four riders each, and having to carefully select just three riders to participate in each round with no drop score. Huge names in the sport such as Maikel van der Vleuten, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Marucs Ehning, David Will, Lorenzo de Luca and Denis Lynch are set to represent their teams.

The top four teams from the 2024 Championship standings, the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian, Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses, and the Doha Falcons have already secured their fast track to the GCL Super Cup Semi-Finals. Skipping the knockout Quarter-Finals and jumping in the high-pressure arena one day less than their rivals will give these team an edge as they compete for glory in Riyadh.

2024 GCL Champions, Cannes Stars field a stellar line up of Katrin Eckermann and Sophie Hinners, Natalie Dean and Janne Friederike Meyer Zimmermann rounding off the the Cannes Stars’ ironclad roster for the GCL Super Cup. Joining Christian Kukuk from last year's GCL Super Cup winners Riesenbeck International will be Eoin McMahon, Philipp Schulze Topphoff, and Philipp Weishaupt.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Julien Epaillard, and Nicola & Olivier Philippaerts will represent Stockholm Hearts. While Doha Falcons will be looking to soar to victory with Jérôme Guéry, Michael Pender, Wilm Vermeir and Julien Anquetin.

The Shanghai Swans have pulled out the big guns with the squad of Daniel Deusser, Ben Maher, and Christian Ahlmann and Max Kühner - aiming to reclaim their crown form 2019. After a solid run during the season Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team opt to select Pieter Devos, Niels Bruynseels, Thibeau Spits and Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli while the first team to ever win the GCL Super Cup in 2018 Marid In Motion lean on Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, Maikel van der Vleuten, Mark McAuley and Manuel Fernandez Saro to get back onto the top step!

The 2024 season has witnessed a surge in young talent, and the GCL Super Cup will feature rising stars like, 2024 Championship winners Natalie Dean (Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames). Among the U25 ranks competing on the big stage Nina Mallevay (Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV), Jodie Hall McAteer (New York Empire powered by Lugano Diamons), Giacomo Casadei (Mexico Amigos) and Sara Vigralkova (Scandinavian Vikings) will compete against Thibeau Spits (Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team), Mariana Frauches Chaves (Monaco Aces powered by Lion of Porches) and Michael Pender (Doha Falcons) on the global stage at the GC Prague Playoffs.
 

15 formidable contenders will also be vying for victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix on Friday night. Riders will confront two challenging 1.65m tracks in Riyadh, promising a sensational evening of world-class show jumping. With an elite roster of riders set to compete in the LGCT Super Grand Prix, we eagerly await to see who will emerge victorious at one of the most prestigious competitions in the sport. 

With back-to-back entertainment, an electrifying atmosphere, and four days of exhilarating show jumping, spectators from both near and far can anticipate an event suitable for the entire family to enjoy. Sign up now to be first informed about ticket sales for the 2024 Riyadh Playoffs.