Two years after their win at the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea, Pieter and Toupie de la Roque took another steller podium at the Longines Global Champions Tour at the weekend, third behind recent Olympic Gold Medalists Harry Charles and Christian Kukuk. 

Set against the historic and elegant Royal Hospital Chelsea, VIP hospitality offered guests opulent luxury as they watched the world’s top riders in action. Enthusiastic crowds filled the grandstands, creating a vibrant atmosphere where both sporting and equestrian fans enjoyed a captivating day for the whole family.

For the 2022 Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London winners - Pieter Devos and Toupie de la Roque? It’s all coming together again. Devos explained, “I’m so happy today with my horse - she didn't have the best season up until this point but now she’s back up there and jumped unbelievable… I’m so happy with her and that is the most important part for me. Today she gave me wings again so that is very nice for her - she loves to go to the shows, she loves to jump… she’s so happy and you can feel it in the ring.”

Uliano Vezzani’s 1.60m track was big, impressive and technical with riders walking the course multiple times to work out the best route. The sold out and energetic crowd was treated to a very early clear round as first to go Canadian Kyle Timm and Casino Calvin rode a foot perfect clear inside the time allowed. However, it was a while before anyone else made it look as easy with the likes of both the Stockholm LGCT Grand Prix winner Olivier Philippaerts and Andreas Schou both opting to retire despite chasing the overall season ranking points.

​​After this stellar performance in yesterday’s GCL team class the living legend John Whitaker and Equine America Unick du Francport had everyone on the edge of the seats. Giving it their all it just wasn’t to be today coming home on 8 faults. A gut wrenching single pole down for three female German riders kept them out of the jump off but Sophie Hinners, Jana Wargers and Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann were lightning fast to be able to all finish within the top 10 overall. 

An exhilarating 7 rider jump-off, featuring an impressive four double clears, set the stage for a captivating finale to the weekend…

In his first ever LGCT Grand Prix jump-off Kyle Timm did himself proud. Keeping Casino Calvin well balanced they cruised around making light work of the track they stopped the clock in ​​39.78 seconds putting the pressure on the rest of the field.

Wilm Vermeir stepped up to the plate with Iq van het Steentje proving the time was beatable coming home in 37.23 seconds but an fence mid course kept him off the podium this time. 

Despite an impressive clear in round one, all that knew the combination thought Malin Baryard-Johnsson and her faithful partner of H&M Indiana would be taking a step on today’s podium. An uncharacteristic 8 faults left hearts broken and the duo in sixth place. 

As former winners of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London, Pieter Devos and Toupie de la Roque had the question on everyone’s lips of could they replicate their 2022 performance? It was touch and go for Toupie and Devos at the beginning getting too deep to an upright but Toupie still clearing it to come home on double clear which left the pair hoping for the top spot as three of the fastest qualified riders were left to tackle the jump off. 

Riding high off his success in Paris, Christian Kukuk and Just Be Gentle took the challenge on head on. With the taste of gold egging him on Kukuk did a handbrake turn to the penultimate fence saving him vital fractions of a second to go into the lead in 36.92 seconds. 

Known for his speed, Kukuk wasn’t safe yet. Richard Howley entered the arena on Zodiak du Buisson Z, choosing to risk it all the strategy didn’t pay off finishing with 12 faults in 39.14 seconds. 

The pressure was on… last to go and the only hope for British fans, young talent Harry Charles took it to another level on Sherlock. Risking it all he set off at a flat out gallop, turning tight back to the double. He had a light touch on the back rail but it stayed put and he was up on the time at the halfway stage. With nothing to loose he rose to the occasion and didn’t take a check to the last. As he flew over the Longines oxer the crowd erupted as he punched the air to win his first ever LGCT Grand Prix and take the title on home turf.