Dream Debut for Australia’s Thomas McDermott as Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna Gets Underway at Schönbrunn Palace

Australian rider Thomas McDermott made an unforgettable Longines Global Champions Tour debut today, claiming victory in the opening CSI5* 1.45m presented by PINK&ORANGE at the spectacular Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna.

Competing at his first-ever LGCT event, McDermott delivered a winning performance aboard 12-year-old mare Shqely, stopping the clock in 67.65 seconds to secure the opening victory of the Vienna stage. Remarkably, it was also his first show with the mare, making the result all the more impressive.

McDermott smiled: "It’s the most unbelievable location here in Vienna, it’s my first Longines Global Champions Tour, and actually my first ever 5* win - so it is a complete dream come true. This is the end of my euro tour, I’ll head back to Australia after this show and I couldn’t think of anywhere better to have it."

Against a field featuring some of the world’s leading show jumping talent, the Australian wasted no time making his mark on the international stage. Producing a clear round and setting the fastest time, McDermott secured a dream start to his LGCT campaign in one of the sport’s most extraordinary settings.

The historic Schönbrunn Palace provided a breathtaking backdrop as five-star competition returned to the Austrian capital for the 12th stage of the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour. With the Championship entering its decisive final stages, Vienna welcomes the world’s elite riders for four days of top-level sport.

The Netherlands’ Sanne Thijssen came closest to challenging McDermott’s winning time, guiding Jopie Amazing JR to a clear round in 69.24 seconds to take second place. Austria’s Christoph Obernauer delighted the home crowd, securing third aboard Kleons Jana in 70.30 seconds.

Dutch rider Jur Vrieling followed in fourth with VDL Mattias, while Austria’s Bianca Babanitz added another home-nation placing, finishing fifth aboard Dakato. Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner completed the top six with Tailormade Fia Conthara.

For McDermott, the opening class marked a remarkable introduction to the Longines Global Champions Tour: a first appearance, a new partnership and a five-star victory against world-class opposition, all in the unforgettable surroundings of Schönbrunn Palace.

CSI5* 1.45m presented by PINK&ORANGE – Top Six

1    Thomas McDermott    Shqely    0    67.65s

2    Sanne Thijssen    Jopie Amazing JR    0    69.24s

3    Christoph Obernauer    Kleons Jana    0    70.30s

4    Jur Vrieling    VDL Mattias    0    72.08s

5    Bianca Babanitz    Dakato    0    72.42s

6    Nadja Peter Steiner    Tailormade Fia Conthara    0    73.33s 

The action continues in Vienna as the world’s best riders and horses take centre stage at Schönbrunn Palace. Follow all the action live on GCTV.