The 14th of the 15 stages of the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League led to the holy city of Rome at the weekend. And here, in the scorching summer sun, in the historic Circus Maximus, the largest circus in ancient Rome. A fitting location, because where chariot races were held until the 6th century, Saturday was about nothing less than whether the Global Champions League 2024 team series would be decided early. A memorable place for equestrian sport, which still recognizes the tradition of competition today. Some horse breeds and classical equestrian training are accordingly recognized as intangible cultural heritage.

The biggest challenge for the riders and horses was not the dimensions of the course designed by Ulliano Vezzani, but the temperatures of over 36 degrees during the day and hardly any cooling at night. The women's team Cannes Stars arrived in Rome well prepared with their horses. By then they were in the lead with 271 points. For Riesenbeck International, the aim was to secure their brilliant second place from last week in Valkenswaard or even overtake the ladies in order to finish the 2024 season on the podium at the final leg in Rabat, Morocco. 

To this end, team boss Ludger Beerbaum sent his best men to the arena in Rome.  Olympic Champion Christian Kukuk and Vice European Champion Philipp Weishaupt. Christian Kukuk after a strategy discussion with his colleague shortly before the starting signal: “Look behind, hope ahead!”

In round one, Christian Kukuk put his trust in his gray stallion Mumbai. Unfortunately, a pole fell in the triple combination - as did both of the Cannes Stars' ladies beforehand. This meant that Philipp Weishaupt and his Coby had to keep their nerve and stay clear. As so often in the past, he did just that. This meant that the Cannes Stars were already under a little pressure for the decisive second round.

The ladies changed one rider and one horse, Riesenbeck International relied on the fresh horses Just be Gentle (Christian Kukuk) and Zineday (Philipp Weishaupt) with the same riders. While the Cannes stars again delivered one fault and a clear round, Christian Kukuk dropped a plank at a steep jump. Immediately afterwards, Philipp Weishaupt once again showed that he is rightly known as a rider with enormously strong nerves: with a clear ride on his phenomenal partner Zineday, he saved a second place on the podium behind Madrid in Motion, who had four clear rides and deserved to win. But - more importantly - he narrowed the gap to the Cannes Stars ahead of the all-important stage in Rabat in October.

Team boss Ludger Beerbaum watched the action from afar at the tournament in Münster, which was taking place at the same time, and commented: “Very good! Both confirm their incredible form!”

Result of the GCL leg in Rome:

https://results.hippodata.de/2024/2422/docs/r_gcl_r2.pdf

Although the order of the top three teams has not changed in the interim standings, the gaps have narrowed. Everything is still possible for the team from Riesenbeck, who have won the overall standings in the past two years.

Intermediate standings after 14 stages:

https://results.hippodata.de/2024/2422/docs/gcl_ranking_2024_after_roma.pdf

Again on the podium: Kukuk and Weishaupt                                picture: GCL