For a second week in a row, a nine-year-old horse captured the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix crown. This time it was Kilmister’s turn, and the partnership with Philipp Weishaupt was simply untouchable in the iconic venue in Autria’s Capital Vienna.

“I am not just saying this because I won, and I can’t say it’s my favourite as I am from Riesenbeck, but we are lucky enough to jump at lots of incredible venues around the world… but this? This is by far the most incredible, alongside Riesenbeck of course,” said Weishaupt, visibly moved by the grandeur of Vienna’s return to the Tour. “When you have Peder Fredricson behind you, you never really know what is to come and what will happen, but being 1.2 seconds faster than Monaco and Harrie Smolders… we know we did a pretty good job.”

Against the majestic baroque backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace, the Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna Grand Prix unfolded in truly unforgettable fashion. The Austrian capital came alive with electric energy as sold-out grandstands packed with passionate fans created an atmosphere that was nothing short of spine-tingling.

Harrie Smolders and Monaco, winners already this season in Cannes and Valkenswaard, once again rose to the occasion to finish runner-up. Reflecting on the class, Smolders said: “The sport this weekend has been fantastic, a super jump off last night and now again 12 in the jump off tonight. Sport at a very, very high level and it really makes all the difference. Tonight you had to ride it very precisely – there were lots of options and decisions to make.”

Third place went to Ireland’s Bertram Allen with the talented nine-year-old Qonquest de Rigo, marking a special return to the LGCT spotlight for the youngest ever LGCT Grand Prix winner on the Tour. “I am absolutely delighted – he is a young horse at another 9 years old and was so impressed with his step up today. When you’re against some of the best in the world there is only so much you can hope for, and this is definitely it. It was a very technical jump off actually and to be honest, everything went to plan today,” said Allen.

For Weishaupt, victory also meant the coveted Golden Ticket to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs. “Prague is my favourite week of the year without a doubt. The most emotional day in my sporting career was winning the GCL Super Cup in 2023, and I am so pleased to be back jumping the LGCT Super Grand Prix in 2025,” he said.

In the overall Longines Global Champions Tour Championship standings, Gilles Thomas retains the leader’s armband on 261 points, despite skipping Vienna. Christian Kukuk edged closer in second on 206 points, while Andreas Schou held firm in third with 182 points. Harrie Smolders and Maikel van der Vleuten round off the top five as the race tightens with just three events left and the pressure mounting.

As the sun dipped low over Vienna, the arena became a cauldron of drama – the perfect stage for high-stakes sport at its finest. Families, first-time spectators, and seasoned show jumping enthusiasts alike were swept up in the intensity, riding every moment with the athletes. It was more than just competition; it was theatre, with stories of heartbreak and triumph unfolding fence by fence. In a setting where history meets modern sporting excellence, the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix once again proved why it is one of the most breathtaking events on the international sporting calendar.

From the very start, the crowd knew they were witnessing something special. The first clear round came from Allen himself, immediately lighting the spark for what would become a fiercely competitive jump-off. Bassem Mohammed and Rocket Man added to the excitement with another clear, soon joined by Eduardo Alvarez Aznar on the aptly named Legend. Martin Fuchs with L&L Lorde made sure the home stretch was stacked with talent.

But the course was unforgiving. A cruel handful of time penalties caught out Jörne Sprehe and Guido Grimaldi, while Henrik von Eckermann heartbreakingly, also fell foul of the clock with Qasirah van de Reistenhoek, missing the jump-off by the narrowest of margins. In the end, twelve combinations qualified – setting up a jump-off to remember.

First to go, Bertram Allen wasted no time in laying down the marker with Qonquest de Rigo. A slick, composed double clear in 42.31 seconds sent a buzz through the arena – the young gelding showing class beyond his years to set the standard. Qatar’s Bassem Mohammed looked strong through the early lines, but the tricky final stretch caught them out. A rail down meant he had to steady the pace, finishing in 43.12 seconds with 4 faults, slipping out of podium contention despite flashes of real pace.

Spanish star Eduardo Alvarez Aznar came out all guns blazing, but déjà vu struck as the same fence fell once again. His round stopped the clock at 42.90 seconds with 4 faults – a time that could have been dangerous without that pole. Luck deserted Martin Fuchs, yesterday’s winner of the big class at that very same bogey fence. Despite a bold rhythm, the rail put paid to his chances, crossing the line in 43.45 seconds with 4 faults with L&L Lorde.

The German powerhouser of Katrin Eckermannan and Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS were absolutely flying, taking razor-sharp turns and eating up the ground, but risk didn’t quite meet reward. A blistering 41.50 seconds was one of the fastest of the day – but a fence down put her out of the top spots.

Always a crowd-pleaser, Hans-Dieter Dreher was lightning fast with Vestmalle, stopping the clock at 40.49 seconds – the quickest round of the jump-off. But the cheers turned to groans as a single rail fell, costing him a shot at glory. Mexico City’s LGCT Grand Prix hero came in hunting another big win, but fate had other ideas. The Italian’s mare got a little too brave, hitting the wing at the VIP double. 8 faults on the board so no fairytale double this time.

Already a two-time winner this season, Harrie Smolders delivered yet again. Monaco, at 16 years young, rolled back the years with a flawless clear in 41.96 seconds, storming into the lead and proving why this partnership is one of the most consistent on the planet.

The bright-eyed nine-year-old Gibbs Un Prince looked to be feeling the weight of the occasion as Victor Bettendorf made the wise call to retire, saving his talented youngster for another day – the crowd applauding the horsemanship. Mexico’s Fernando Martinez Sommer kept things steady and precise, guiding Joep to a clear in 48.82 seconds. It wasn’t enough to threaten the leaders, but it was enough for a place in the top six.

Then came the fireworks. Philipp Weishaupt lit up the arena with his nine-year-old Kilmister, attacking every line with precision and daring turns. His breathtaking 40.85 seconds was a full second faster than the rest, with just one to go…

Sweden’s ice-cool master Peder Fredricons gave it everything with Alcapone. Smooth, classy, and perfectly judged, they produced a foot-perfect clear in 42.43 seconds, just shy of the podium but enough to slot into 4th place.

As champagne sprayed under the lights of Schönbrunn, Vienna’s long-awaited return was crowned with a storybook finish. A nine-year-old horse, a daring German rider, and a palace full of fans created a moment to remember. All eyes now turn to Rome, where the Eternal City and the historic Circus Maximus will host Stage 14 from 10–12 October – another unmissable chapter in the 2025 Championship race.

FULL RESULTS