Search
27 October 2024

Historic Moments at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Rabat: The 2024 Championship Finals

Historic Moments at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Rabat: The 2024 Championship Finals

The 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) and GCL Championship Finals in Rabat marked a thrilling close to the season, filled with unforgettable performances, team triumphs, and personal victories. Held from October 18-20 as part of Qatar-Morocco’s 2024 Year of Culture, the Finals celebrated the culmination of a year-long, globe-spanning competition with some of the most intense and electrifying moments in show jumping.

Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames: A Storybook Victory in Their Debut Season

In an astonishing first-ever GCL season, the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames made history, claiming the 2024 GCL Championship. As the first all-female team to win the GCL Championship, they not only captured the title but also secured the lion's share of the €8.5 million prize pool. The Cannes Stars stood out from the start, fiercely competing to deny Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland Equestrian their third consecutive title.

Managed by Ludger Beerbaum, the second-place team, Riesenbeck International, was forced to settle for silver, finishing 20 points behind the Cannes Stars. Rounding out the podium, Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses secured third place with only an 11-point margin over Riesenbeck International

READ MORE : A Data-Driven Look at CANNES STARS Breakthrough Season in the 2024 GCL

Uliano Vezzani’s Masterpiece: Rabat’s GCL Championship Course

Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani crafted an exceptional tracks in Rabat, over the course of the event. In the GCL, Vezzani set out challenging competitors with a 1.60m course that tested both skill and stamina. Round 1 saw an impressive number of teams—eight in total—finish without faults, heightening the suspense for Round 2. As the Cannes Stars clinched the title, the battle for the remaining top-four spots in the GCL Championship reached a dramatic crescendo.

The Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV, featuring Lorenzo de Luca, Kyle Timm, and Michael Duffy, delivered a standout performance to claim the top spot in the Rabat stage, though it wasn’t enough to move into the top four of the Championship. Meanwhile, the Stockholm Hearts powered by H&M We Love Horses fought for and secured third place overall with a skilful round by Malin Baryard-Johnsson and Julien Epaillard.

Uliano Vezzani’s challenging course set the stage for an intense championship finale, where every jump, every turn, and every rail mattered. The Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV delivered a stunning performance with the only double clear of the day, securing the Rabat stage victory. However, the Cannes Stars’ powerful display early on had already locked in their championship win, allowing the team to celebrate before the final rounds even concluded.

The competition’s intensity only heightened as teams vied for the coveted top four spots, ensuring direct entry to the Semi-Finals at the GCL Super Cup in Riyadh. Doha Falcons powered by Simon Delestre, Wilm Vermeir and Julien Anquetin fought valiantly, narrowly securing fourth place and bypassing the knock-out Quarter Finals in Riyadh. The Prague Lions, despite a formidable showing, missed the cut by a single point .

READ MORE: HOW THE GCL CHAMPIONSHIP DEFINING CLASS UNFOLDED

    Max Kühner: 2024 LGCT Champion 

    Max Kühner’s road to victory as the 2024 LGCT Champion came to a remarkable close in Rabat. Kühner’s reliable partnership with his horse, Electric Blue, led to consistent clear rounds and a climactic victory over rival Christian Kukuk. Kühner’s win capped off a season defined by resilience and precision, a testament to his season-long performance. Reflecting on the season, Kühner said, “This isn’t just a one-day victory—it’s an accomplishment across a whole season. The consistency in our results shows that we did something right.”

    FINAL STANDINGS : LGCT CHAMPIONSHIP

    Eduardo Alvarez Aznar Secures Final LGCT Super Grand Prix Ticket

    The LGCT Grand Prix of Rabat also served as the last chance to qualify for the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Riyadh, the ultimate final showdown in the 2024 season. Spanish rider Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, aboard the veteran Rokfeller de Pleville Bois Margot, clinched this opportunity with a remarkable performance in Rabat, earning his place in the upcoming LGCT Super Grand Prix in Riyadh.

    WATCH : LGCT GRAND PRIX RABAT SPORTS HIGHLIGHTS

    Looking Ahead to the GC Playoffs in Riyadh

    As the Championship Finals concluded, all eyes turned to the upcoming GC Playoffs in Riyadh. The top four teams—Cannes Stars, Riesenbeck International, Stockholm Hearts, and Doha Falcons—earned direct access to the GCL Super Cup Semi-Finals, granting them a critical advantage in Riyadh’s €10 million showdown. With team dynamics at a peak and the competitive field narrowing, the GC Playoffs promise an exciting culmination to the 2024 season.

    EXPLORE : GCL SUPER CUP STANDINGS

    The final lineup for the LGCT Super Grand Prix is now confirmed, featuring top riders and their exceptional mounts, each vying for a place in history. This thrilling climax promises to deliver high-stakes drama and heart-stopping moments as the world's elite show jumpers showcase their skill and precision. Don't miss this spectacular event that culminates a season of excellence in equestrian sport!

    UNVEILED : LGCT SUPER GRAND PRIX FINAL LINEUP

    In Rabat, spectators and participants alike experienced the magic of equestrian sport against a unique cultural backdrop, marking a new chapter in the LGCT’s legacy and setting the stage for an unforgettable final act in Riyadh.

    RELIVE THE MEMORIES ON GCTV

      LGCT Rabat 2024 - Rabat, - 20 October 2024 - ph.Stefano Grasso Copyright: ph.Stefano Grasso

      My vision is clear. Only the best for the best.
      Jan Tops - Founder & President