This weekend will go down in the history books of the Ludger Beerbaum and Riesenbeck International stable.

What have you set out to do, the three riders Ludger Beerbaum, Philipp Weishaupt and Christian Kukuk! With their new team Riesenbeck International, they wanted to knock down a peg right at the first leg in Doha and set the course for successfully defending their overall victory in the Global Champions League.

Then the stumble of Ludger's horse Christians Carado happened in a frame jump on Thursday, the team leader could not ride out the momentum - and landed in the warm sandy ground of the ultra-modern Al Shakab riding stadium.  Ludger Beerbaum immediately felt that this was more than a harmless fall. The diagnosis was made at the hospital: fracture of the thigh. Bad news that put everything else in the background.

Fortunately in the misfortune no large operation was necessary, but a stabilization with plate and screw. "It went well," Ludger Beerbaum announced from the hospital room.

The colleagues breathed a sigh of relief and changed the plan. With the boss and his Mila out, Philipp Weishaupt came in with his experienced Coby. Christian Kukuk relied on Mumbai, with whom he forms a well-rehearsed and successful pair.

In the first round of the Global Champions League the poles all stayed up, which meant third place in the intermediate classification. In the second round a pole fell on Coby, but the time was fast and the competition also made a mistake. Team Riesenbeck powered by Kingsland won ahead of the St. Tropez Pirates and Valkenswaard United - and all of Riesenbeck cheered! Ludger Beerbaum was the first to congratulate in the stable's internal WhatsApp group: "Top performance, boys, am really proud of you!"  An effort that was to be increased.

Since Coby remained in the box after his work was done at the  Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, Philipp Weishaupt decided to saddle the talented but internationally completely inexperienced mare Just Be Gentle, who is only nine years old. "This horse has not yet ridden a two-star Grand Prix. I was hoping for a clear round in this five-star test."

After the great flawless performance in the round, he stepped on the gas in the jump-off. And subsequently won by 0.05 seconds (34.37 seconds) ahead of his teammate Christian Kukuk with the ten-year-old mare, Nice van't Zorgvliet (34.42).  Double victory for Riesenbeck, which was sweetened with a chunk of prize money for a great weekend!  

After that, all the dams broke!  Ludger Beerbaum kept it very short: "Without words guys! Please enjoy the moment!"

In the subsequent press conference, a little prick from the questioner was enough to pour out hearts:

Christian: "I am very very well. It's my birthday today" (applause) . When you've come second, you think sh..., that's the way it is with athletes. There were certainly days when I was more unhappy about second place. But today - with my colleague and friend Philipp as the winner and unique team results - it was just fantastic. Ludger supported us on the TV. It is very emotional. I am happy for Philipp and our team".

Philipp: "It is a very special moment for me. To win this Longines Global Chamopions Tour Grand Prix of Doha. If my best horse Coby would have won, it would have been nice, but not so surprising for a long time. The plan was quite different. We had to change horses due to Ludger's accident.

I really didn't think I would win here with the mare. I know she is an incredible horse, careful and talented.  But I didn't think she would jump clear."

Very special is also, this is my first win as a father. We have a four-week-old son Jakob. So I was home for a few days to be with him and flew back early on Thursday."  Christian quite spontaneously: "I rode his horses." Philipp: "Yes, he made sure they were fast enough for today."

It was important for Philipp Weishaupt to thank the host once again: "I would like to thank the people here in Doha for the hospitality and the good organization. They treated us so kindly in the first-class hospital. We feel very very comfortable here." 

Allinformations: www.gcglobalchampions.com