Rome Gladiators win the GCL Super Cup 2025

Valkenswaard United and New York Empire on the podium – Riesenbeck International sixth

A total prize pool of €6.5 million was at stake at the Global Champions League Super Cup 2025 in Prague over the weekend. After the quarterfinals on Thursday, the semifinals on Friday, and the finals on Sunday featuring the six best teams in the most lucrative series for show jumpers, the three team riders were determined after two exciting rounds in the evening: The Rome Gladiators won the finals by a wide margin ahead of Team Valkenswaard United and the riders from New York Empire. Team Riesenbeck International finished the GCL Super Cup 2025 in sixth place.

The final sprint began late for Team Riesenbeck International in the 2025 Global Champions League season, but it was all the more effective for that. Just in time, team boss Ludger Beerbaum's show jumpers placed among the top four teams at the end of the season. This meant that they were pre-qualified for the semi-finals of the GCL Super Cup in Prague at the weekend – and even won it to loud applause in the packed O2 Arena.

This was an advantage, as Team Riesenbeck International (consisting of Christian Kukuk with Checker 47, Maximilian Weishaupt with Zuccero HV, and Philipp Weishaupt with Oreo D.R.) was allowed to enter the final, which was held in two rounds with 1.60-meter tests, as the last team in the first round. Every performance by the three riders counted, as there was no discard result. Christian Kukuk and Maximilian each delivered a perfectly ridden clear round, while Philipp Weishaupt and his still inexperienced horse had three knockdowns. After round one, they were in third place.

Course designer Uliano Vezzani also set up a difficult course for the pairs in the final second round in the indoor arena. It was a final test of concentration, stamina, and jumping ability for all the competitors. As always, the key was to deliver a clear round first and then be fast. The tension in the arena was palpable, as every mistake cost a lot of money and nerves for the fans and spectators who had traveled with the teams.

Drama at Riesenbeck International: Christian Kukuk's Checker had one knockdown, after which he seemed to have lost his focus somewhat. He refused once, resulting in penalty points for time and another knockdown. This was followed by another flawless dream round from Maximilian Weishaupt with Zucccero HV. Double clear in this final! A magnificent performance from the youngest team member! Philipp Weishaupt and Oreo D.R. ended up knocking down two more poles. This dropped the team back to sixth place.

Team boss Ludger Beerbaum: " We have to accept that apart from Max with Zuccero who have been the best couple in semifinal and today’s final, which is indeed an outstanding performance, we as a team haven’t been good enough and deserved to win.

Nevertheless we will fight back and are looking forward to the next GCT/GCL season!!"

Results of the GCL Super Cup 2025: https://results.hippodata.de/2025/2510/docs/r_13.pdf