The GCL returned to Vienna for the first time since 2016, and it did so in unforgettable fashion. Against the majestic backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, a sold-out crowd watched the world’s top teams battle for supremacy in Stage 13 of the Championship.

With the palace glowing in the evening light, the atmosphere was electric, the history of the venue blending seamlessly with the modern thrill of elite show jumping. Riders and horses settled quickly into the grandeur of the setting, delivering a night of high drama that will live long in memory.

In the end, it was the Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team who rose to the top, storming to victory with precision and nerve when it mattered most. It marked their fifth podium of the 2025 season and their second win, the same formidable pairing of Fernando Martinez Sommer and Pieter Devos that also carried them to second in Doha earlier this year. They have been consistent across the circuit, with another podium in Paris with a different team, and Vienna once again underlined their strength in depth.

Pieter Devos couldn’t hide his thrill at the climb in the championship standings, he said, “We are very proud of the horses, they jumped fantastic today and we needed to perform today to get in the top four of the ranking for the GC Playoffs which is so important for us. We all know after the first round nothing is done yet. It is always difficult to ride four clear rounds the pressure was on with this tricky course. We have a really good atmosphere in the team, we feel a lot of support from the fans especially with the home event GC Prague Playoffs just around the corner so it is all on now.”

Teammate Fernando Martinez Sommer went on to add, “This venue is unbelievable to show at. It has been an emotional couple weeks for me with the birth of my new baby daughter so this is just even more special.”

Close behind, Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym produced a flawless second round to secure an impressive second place, showcasing their fighting spirit and closing the gap in the overall standings. The ever consistent and with the most discerning fighting spirit, Christian Kukuk said, “That sounds good, third podium in a row, a long time ago this used to happen. We worked very hard for this, and I have the feeling we have this way of going now… everyone else has to be careful now!”

Championship leaders Valkenswaard United showed their mettle yet again, riding with experience and composure to claim third and vital points in the title race. With Marcus Ehning and Hans-Dieter Dreher forming their trusted combination, it was not only the same line-up that delivered them a decisive win earlier in the season, but also their fifth podium this season, underlining their consistency at this critical stage of the Championship. Marcus Ehning smiled: “It is fantastic to get another podium to help us continue to lead the championship race. Tonight was a brilliant team effort in a stunning location so now we just keep pushing for the Championship title.”

The Championship race itself loomed large over every round. Valkenswaard United still lead on 261 points, but their rivals are closing fast. The Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames sit second with 247, while the Prague Lions’ surge in Vienna carried them to third on 230, now narrowly ahead of the Shanghai Swans on 227. Riesenbeck International remain in striking distance too, their podium finish pulling them up to 215 points. With the midfield so densely packed, every rail and every second is carrying weight as the season builds toward its climax at the GC Prague Playoffs.

The competition was fierce from the outset. Peter Schumacher’s courses asked searching questions of both horse and rider, and while the challenge was stern, the field embraced it.

The evening began with heartbreak for the St Tropez Pirates, whose hopes were dashed before the first round had truly begun. Gregory Cottard and Cocaine du Val set them off to a flying start with a clear, but Duarte Seabra parted company with a playful Dourados 2 before the bell had even rung, eliminating the team instantly.

That early drama set the tone for a night where fortunes rose and fell in an instant. The Prague Lions set the early pace with the first double clear of Round 1, a statement of intent that underscored their determination to keep climbing the Championship standings. The Basel Cosmopolitans matched their effort soon after with composed clears from Andreas Schou and Jana Wargers. The Shanghai Swans gave the crowd plenty to cheer with a double clear from Ben Maher and local hero Max Kühner, while the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames also stamped their authority with flawless rounds from Katrin Eckermann and Janne Friederike Meyer Zimmermann.

Round 2 unfolded with relentless intensity.

Rails fell as consistently as the autumn rain outside the palace grounds, and every rider felt the pressure of the grandstands packed with fans and the world’s media watching on. Before the halfway break, Riesenbeck International laid down a flawless marker. Christian Kukuk and Philipp Weishaupt, riding Chageorge and Oreo D.R, transformed their earlier four-fault rounds into a faultless double clear, their time of 155.77 seconds keeping them at the top of the leaderboard until the Prague Lions answered late in the evening.

The Lions, riding with steel and precision, held their nerve to leapfrog into first, sending their supporters in the crowd into raptures. Valkenswaard United, with Marcus Ehning on Priam du Roset and Hans-Dieter Dreher on Vestmalle des Cotis, once again showed why they sit at the summit of the Championship. A rail apiece left them on a total of eight faults, but their speed of 159.37 was enough to capture third, continuing their podium streak and maintaining their lead in the standings.

Just missing out on the podium were the Basel Cosmopolitans. After switching to their top horses for Round 2, with Schou aboard Napoli vh Nederassethof and Wargers piloting Dorette OLD, they looked poised to challenge for the top three. Jana’s immaculate double clear kept them in contention, but two unexpected rails for Andreas and Napoli left them agonisingly close, finishing in fourth on 161.88 seconds.

As night fell on Vienna, the GCL once again delivered a masterclass in drama, teamwork, and sporting brilliance. The eyes of the equestrian world were fixed on Schönbrunn Palace, with global media and broadcasters capturing every moment for audiences both local and international.

The Championship race now charges on to Rome, where from 10–12 October the Longines Global Champions Tour returns to the historic Circus Maximus for Stage 14. With the top four teams separated by just over 30 points and Valkenswaard United showing relentless form, the stakes could not be higher. If Vienna proved anything, it is that the fight for the 2025 GCL crown is only just heating up.