Copyright: Stefano Grasso
11 March 2025
Meet the Basel Cosmopolitans: The New Team Shaking Up GCL
A bold new contender joins the GCL stage. The Basel Cosmopolitans, led by Andreas Schou and backed by the Straumann family, are set to shake up the 2025 season. With a powerful mix of experience and fresh talent, they aim to challenge the world’s best in their debut season.
A new force has entered the arena. The Basel Cosmopolitans have officially arrived on the 2025 GCL grid, ready to challenge the best in the world. Created by team manager and rider Andreas Schou alongside the team’s owners, the Straumann family, the Basel Cosmopolitans blend experience, emerging talent, and strategic ambition in their quest for GCL success.
As the season gets underway, the team has already shown promise, securing seventh place in the opening leg of the championship in Doha—an early testament to the highly competitive 2025 season, where 17 teams are battling for glory.
A Team Built for Success
Led by Danish star Andreas Schou, the Basel Cosmopolitans feature a formidable lineup of riders. Fellow Dane Zascha Nygaard Lill brings tactical expertise and consistency to the squad, while Brazil’s Marlon Modolo Zanotelli, a GCL powerhouse, adds invaluable experience. Germany’s Jana Wargers, known for her versatility, is another key asset, alongside Ireland’s Michael Duffy—one of the most consistent riders in the 2024 GCL season. Completing the team is U25 rider Géraldine Straumann, representing the next generation of elite show jumping talent.
Your Backstage Pass Inside the Team: Watch the Exclusive Interview
Get to know the Basel Cosmopolitans like never before in an exclusive sit-down interview by GCTV with team manager and rider Andreas Schou, alongside teammates Zascha Nygaard Lill and Jana Wargers. This in-depth feature dives into the team’s formation, strategy, and ambitions for their debut season.
Watch the full interview here and step inside the journey of the Basel Cosmopolitans.
The Journey So Far
“Of course, the dream is top three”
Reflecting on his transition from competing with the Istanbul Warriors in 2024 to building this brand-new team, Andreas Schou shared his excitement about shaping the Basel Cosmopolitans with the Straumann family. “Of course, the dream is top three,” he stated, before acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the sport: “It is sport, and it is horses – so you never know, but the ambition is for sure there for us.”
The team’s journey officially kicked off with a pre-season bonding day in Copenhagen, where they came together to build team spirit ahead of the intense competition schedule. Now, with meticulous planning, careful horse management, and a shared drive for success, the Basel Cosmopolitans are laser-focused on making their mark on the championship.
The battle for GCL supremacy is well underway, and the Basel Cosmopolitans are ready to rise to the challenge. Stay tuned as they chase their dream in 2025!
Stage 1, 2025 - the Basel Cosmopolitans in Action
My vision is clear. Only the best for the best.