The 2024 season of the Global Champions League (GCL) kicked off in the state-of-the-art equestrian stadium Al Shaqab Doha (Qatar). Until the final in Abu Dhabi in October, 14 teams will compete in compete in 16 stages. The aim of the competitors is to end the dominance of Team Riesenbeck International powered by Kingsland. Because in the past two years years, the riders around team boss Ludger Beerbaum won the title of the world's most valuable team championship. Philipp Schulze Topphoff and his eleven-year-old mare Carla NRW began for the Riesenbeck team in round one, which they both completed clear. He was followed by Christian Kukuk, the team's "bench", on the still inexperienced nine-year-old stallion Chage. After one knockdown, Team Riesenbeck International finished in seventh place in the intermediate classification. The match plan agreed the evening before was not changed. Both riders changed horses for the second round. Philipp Schulze Topphoff saddled the 11-year-old experienced gelding Clemens de la Lande NRW, and Christian Kukuk opted for the 14-year-old gelding Checker. Here the result was reversed, Philipp had a knockdown and Christian, after a quick clear round, delivered a result that brought the Riesenbeck team back into the game. The tension rose and the patience paid off: With two flawless rounds, the GCL's first women's team, Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames, won ahead of Mexico Amigos - and Riesenbeck International. This means that with third place, a much-desired place on the podium was once again achieved! Christian Kukuk said afterwards with satisfaction: "The competition is not over when the last rider crosses the finish line. Anything is possible and we knew we were in a good position when we finished the first round. I did make a small mistake, but I was still sure that we would be on the podium with two clear rounds." Team boss Ludger Beerbaum also commented: "We are super happy with the start. Finishing on the podium is a good signal for the rest of the season!" Results of the first leg: www.longinestiming.com/equestrian/2024/longines-global-champions-tour-of-doha-doha All information at: www.gcglobalchampions.com