Global Champions League leg in Cairo goes to Riesenbeck International, which thus claims the overall victory
Riesenbeck International Secures the Global Champions League Overall Title Ahead of Schedule
from Dominique Wehrmann 
A commanding victory in Cairo and the overall title in the 2026 Global Champions League: Marco Kutscher and Pikeur Lemar NRW.
Photo: Stefano Grasso/LGCT After the first round over 1.60 meters, Marco Kutscher on Pikeur Lemar NRW and Max Weishaupt on Zuccero HV were still in second place behind the Cannes Stars—Sophie Hinners on Iron Dames Kaleni Jo and Ines Joly on Faylinn de Fondcombe. All four had clear rounds, but the women’s quartet was faster.
In the second jumping round at 1.55 meters, the tables turned. Three knockdowns by Ines Joly, followed by one more by Sophie Hinners, caused the team to drop to eighth place. Things went much better for the Riesenbeck team. After their two clear rounds in the first round, Marco Kutscher and Max Weishaupt went one better and remained clear once again. Four clear rounds—no other team in Cairo managed that today. With this, Riesenbeck not only confidently secured the stage (their fifth victory this year!), but also claimed the overall season title once again—following their 2023 victory—and with it, a bonus of 2 million euros in prize money.
And what else?
Second place went to the Istanbul Warriors, represented by Abdel Said riding his 2025 Super Grand Prix winner, Bonne Amie (4), and Max (0), as well as Simon Delestre riding Gatsby du Tillard (0/0).
The Prague Lions had opted for fresh horses for each class, but they, too, had a knockdown and were unable to match the time set by the runners-up. Niels Bruynseels rode Oaky Flandria (4) and Chacco’s Lando OL (0). Pieter Devos rode his proven World Championship mare, Casual DV Z (0), in the more difficult jumping class and Janina J (0) in the second class.
Riesenbeck in the Lead Again
It wasn’t just Marco Kutscher and Max Weishaupt who created a great atmosphere in the Riesenbeck International camp in Cairo today. As always, the day began with the individual riders’ qualifying round for the Grand Prix. Here, Christian Kukuk and Checker took the lead, leaving Max Kühner behind on his ten-year-old new addition, Vivo de Muze PS by Vivant, whom the Austrian acquired from the Czech rider Ales Opartny midway through the year. Third place went to Emanuele Gaudiano on another PS horse from Lewitz Stud, Chebrello PS by Exelero.
All the results are available here.
