Riesenbeck Extends GCL Lead With Valkenswaard Win
Kutscher And Weishaupt Go Double Clear
Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym moved further clear at the top of the 2026 GCL Championship standings after a four-clear performance secured them victory at GCL Valkenswaard, staged at the Longines Tops International Arena.
Maximilian Weishaupt and Zuccero HV combined with Marco Kutscher and Pikeur Lemar NRW to complete both rounds without a fault, finishing on zero penalties in a two-round time of 143.35 seconds. The result delivered maximum Championship points and stretched Riesenbeck’s advantage at the head of the table.
Kutscher set the tone in Round 1, stopping the clock in 79.95 seconds aboard Pikeur Lemar NRW without disturbing a pole. Weishaupt followed with a clear of his own on Zuccero HV in 81.61 seconds, putting the team in provisional pole position heading into the second round.
Madrid In Motion Push Hardest
Madrid in Motion pushed hardest in response. Victor Bettendorf produced a fast clear aboard Gibbs Un Prince in 68.13 seconds, before Maikel van der Vleuten added four penalties with Jesther in 72.02 seconds, leaving the team on a four-penalty total of 140.15 seconds. Riesenbeck answered the challenge when Kutscher returned aboard Pikeur Lemar NRW for a second faultless round in 70.19 seconds, before Weishaupt closed out the class with a clear in 73.16 seconds on Zuccero HV to confirm the win.
Madrid in Motion took second place on four penalties, with Bettendorf and van der Vleuten remaining firmly in Championship contention. Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team completed the podium in third after recovering from an eight-penalty opening round. Abdel Saïd produced a clear aboard Wathnan Zasou Vom Claashof in 64.58 seconds, and Simon Delestre followed with a clear on Gatsby du Tillard in 66.77 seconds, giving the team the fastest Round 2 time among the leading combinations at 131.35 seconds and 21 Championship points.
Further down the order, Doha Falcons finished fourth on eight penalties courtesy of Caroline Rehoff Pedersen and Bassem Mohammed, while New York Empire powered by Lugano took fifth, also on eight penalties, having led after the first round. Home side Valkenswaard United brought in Edwina Tops-Alexander and Sandra Auffarth for the second round; Auffarth and Quirici H produced a clear, but Tops-Alexander picked up eight faults aboard Caetlin vd Heffinck Z, leaving the team sixth on 12 penalties. Mexico Amigos placed seventh, ahead of Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team in eighth and Rome Gladiators powered by Cavalleria Toscana in ninth. Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames were eliminated in Round 2 after Katrin Eckermann was unseated at the final fence.
Speaking after the win, Kutscher praised the pair of horses that carried the team to victory. “The horses are really amazing. The quality of these two horses is outstanding, but today we also rode well enough to deliver two clear rounds each,” he said. Weishaupt added that the team had been aiming for the leader’s armbands they now wear: “The courses today were super and produced top sport. Wearing these leading team armbands is something we have strived for all season. At this stage, we are all aware that every point counts.”
Bettendorf reflected on Gibbs Un Prince’s Round 1 performance after time off: “Gibbs was very fresh and had a lot of energy in Round 1, having had a couple of weeks off jumping, so it was great that he jumped both rounds so well today.” Van der Vleuten set out Madrid in Motion’s remaining ambitions for the season: “We are really chasing a top-four finish in the Championship now, with the GC Playoffs in mind. Every time we enter the arena, we are thinking about maintaining our consistency. With this group of riders and horses, we should be able to achieve our goal - and we will keep pushing for it.”
Riesenbeck Leads By 37 Points
Saïd described an emotional turnaround for Istanbul Warriors after a difficult start to the day. “It was an intense day, full of emotion. I was initially very disappointed with my Round 1 performance, but our team picked us up in the group chat. Henrik sent a really nice message, as did our team owners Efe and Tolga, and Hasan - everyone was so supportive. We went into Round 2 with the support of everyone, and the time in mind, so we are really very happy.”
With Stage 11 complete, Riesenbeck International lead on 217 points, 37 points clear of second-placed Istanbul Warriors on 180. Basel Cosmopolitans powered by Les Trois Rois sit third on 172, with Prague Lions fourth on 171 and Madrid in Motion fifth on 170 - just ten points covering second to fifth place as the Championship moves toward its closing stages. The GCL Championship now heads to Vienna for Stage 12.