Riesenbeck International Extend Championship Lead with Dominant GCL Valkenswaard Win

Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym strengthened their grip on the 2026 GCL Championship with a commanding victory in Valkenswaard, delivering four clear rounds across two rounds of competition at the Longines Tops International Arena.

Championship leaders Marco Kutscher and Maximilian Weishaupt produced a flawless team performance aboard Pikeur Lemar NRW and Zuccero HV, finishing on zero penalties in a combined Round 2 time of 143.35 seconds to claim maximum Championship points.

“We are all aware that every point counts,” said Weishaupt. “Wearing these leading team armbands is something we have strived for all season.”

Madrid in Motion kept the pressure on with a strong second-place finish. Victor Bettendorf and Maikel van der Vleuten completed the competition on four penalties, collecting valuable points as they continue their push towards a top-four Championship finish and qualification ambitions for the GC Playoffs.

A strong comeback from Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team earned them third place. After carrying eight penalties from Round 1, Abdel Saïd and Simon Delestre both jumped clear in Round 2, producing the fastest combined time among the leading teams and moving Istanbul Warriors into second place in the overall Championship standings.

For Riesenbeck International, however, there was no catching the leaders. Kutscher and Weishaupt each jumped clear in both rounds, delivering exactly what was required under pressure.

“The quality of these two horses is outstanding,” said Kutscher. “Today we also rode well enough to deliver two clear rounds each.”

The result sees Riesenbeck International leave Valkenswaard with 217 Championship points, extending their advantage to 37 points over Istanbul Warriors on 180. Behind them, the battle remains incredibly close, with Basel Cosmopolitans on 172, Prague Lions on 171 and Madrid in Motion on 170.

Just 10 points now separate second from fifth as the Championship moves towards its decisive final stages.

The GCL action now heads to Vienna for Stage 12, where the chasing teams will look to close the gap. After another faultless performance in Valkenswaard, however, Riesenbeck International have once again underlined exactly why they are the team to beat.