Scott Brash takes two major podium places on Longines Global Champions Tour Playoffs
Monday 24 November 2025
Scott Brash celebrated his 40th birthday in style with third place on the podium with Hello Chadora Lady in what was one of the strongest Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix fields witnessed in an exhilarating competition at the spectacular Global Champions Prague Playoffs venue.
More than 15,000 enthusiastic spectators packed the stands to witness world-class riders over course-designer Uliano Vezzani’s two-round Euro 1.25million, 1.60/1.65m track which demanded razor-sharp precision and speed. Nevertheless, such was the quality of championship riders here, 11 of the original 15 competitors posted first round clears, joined by three on four faults, to promise a nail-biting, electric round two against the clock – and they delivered.
Clear rounds were noticeably scarce in round two – just one produced by Belgium’s Nicola Philippaerts, who recorded four faults in round one on Katanga V/H Dingeshof – and the top four all finished on four faults.
Less than 0.40 seconds separated the top three; Belgium’s Abdel Said determinedly set off to come home with one error aboard Bonne Amie – and stayed ahead with his lightning-fast round. France’s Simon Delestre was hot on his heels to come agonisingly close, finishing just 0.02 seconds in arrears with Cayman Jolly Jumper for second place.
Scott completed the podium, his formidable performance also marred by four faults with Lady Harris and Lady Kirkham’s impressive 12-year-old Hello Chadora Lady (Chacco-Blue x Nintender) 0.38 seconds off the winning time.
“There is always so much drama at this show, you never know what is going to happen next, it’s really entertaining - yesterday [GCL Super Cup Semi Final] was incredible to watch and tonight again - the atmosphere in there is amazing, the crowd, the sound, the audience, the picture - it’s just amazing.”
Scott also provided a vital double clear on the effervescent 16-year-old Hello Jefferson in the Global Champions League Super Cup for the New York Empire team powered by Lugano Diamonds to finish third.
Unforgiving pressure in front of a 40,000 crowd with 6.5million Euro at stake over two huge 1.60m rounds which tested every ounce of nerve and skill set the tone for an incredible night of drama and spectacular sport.
Joined by Ireland’s Denis Lynch (Cordial) and Bertram Allen (Pacino Amiro), Scott was the best of the trio. Denis returned on four faults first time out but clocked up 12 in round two while Bertram improved on his first round 12 with a clear to match Valkenswaard United’s 28 faults. But the team finished four seconds in arrears to finish third, picking up a handsome 1million Euro. The Rome Gladiators stormed ahead to win on a team total of 12.
Denis reflected on a week that saw the team rise from an unexpected qualification into the Final: “We came here with great plans this week and honestly and we couldn’t be more delighted. All week we were very focused and we are so delighted to be here. This is an incredible event, and what is really astounding here is the crowd and the atmosphere – everyone is so enthusiastic… I’ve had so many people who are watching the live stream, messaging me and commenting on it.”
Ben Maher was in the money with Charlotte Rossetter and Pamela Wright’s Enjeu De Grisien in the individual competitions. Second on day in day one’s 66-strong 5* 1.45m speed 1.90 seconds behind the winning time, the Toulon x Andiamo 11-year-old went one better for Ben 24 hours later. Thirty-seven riders tackled the 5* 1.50m speed track with Ben and Enjeu hitting top form to take the win by 0.18 seconds.
Keira Stoute jumped the Diamant De Semilly 12-year-old Diamantino 16 into second in the 2* 1.45m Grand Prix in a four-horse decider two seconds behind the pace. James Whitaker also picked up second in an early 32-entry 2* 1.40m speed an agonisingly close 0.02 seconds off the pace with the 13-year-old D&H Q Paravatti N.
Chad Fellows is a double winner in Riyadh
Chad Fellows made his trip to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia worthwhile, scoring a winning double at Riyadh CSI3*.
Chad comfortably topped the initial 3* 1.45m with Creevyquinn Pearl. Twenty-three competitors came forward over this two-phase track with Chad the 11-year-old Cardento 933 daughter – ridden in Britain as an eight-year-old by Anthony Condon – easing ahead to win by 0.82 seconds.
Chad claimed his second win in the final day’s 3* 1.30m speed, guiding the nine-year-old Continent 7 (Cordess 2 x Contendro I) into the top spot with 0.31 seconds in hand.
Robert Murphy claims a four-star Grand Prix podium place with Hulde G
Robert Murphy slotted Hulde G into third in the Rouet CSI4* Grand Prix in France.
Twelve of the 50 starters qualified for the second round against the clock over the 1.55m track, Robert guiding the Vigo D’Arsouilles x Warrant 13-year-old into third place two seconds behind the winner, France’s Mathieu Billot on Cosacara Z.
British riders are in the winner’s enclosure at Sentower Park
British riders claimed wins in the supporting classes at Sentower Park in Belgium.
Iwan Carpenter jumped to the top in an early 2* 1.40m aboard Merllyn’s Chacco B. A total of 87 competitors contended this speed class, but Iwan competently found the shortest route on the Chacco Blue x Contendro I 15-year-old to win by 0.12 seconds.
Charlie Atkinson claimed victory in the final 2* 1.40m two-phase, outpacing 64 rivals on the 13-year-old stallion Hamilton De L’Heribus with half a second to spare.
Georgia Tame claimed a podium place in the 2* 1.45m with Hello Vittoria. Seventeen of the original 80 starters qualified for the jump-off in this world ranking class and Grand Prix qualifier, Georgia jumping another clear on the 11-year-old mare for third place, 1.40 seconds behind the pace. James Davenport was close on her heels for fourth with Happiness DK Z.
Millie Allen claimed victory in the Seven and Eight-year-old 1.35/1.40m Final riding Bora Bora SES Z for Karel Cox. Thirteen of the original 61 starters accessed the jump-off, Millie skilfully steering the Bamako De Muze x Quidam De Revel seven-year-old mare into the top spot by 0.92 seconds. Georgia Tame was also double clear on Lucky Chance Z for third.
Emily Ward beat 77 competitors to take an early 2* 1.30m two-phase win on the eight-year-old mare Millfield Lottery (Plot Blue x Quinar) by 0.24 seconds.
Madison Heath scored a hat-trick with two 1* 1.25m wins and a 1,30m aboard the 12-year-old Ivory (Don VHP Z x Cartogran), beating 53 challengers in the first speed by 1.23 seconds and the 53-strong second with 1.15 seconds to spare. The final 1* 1.30m also fell to this consistent pair as 12 were pitted against the clock in the jump-off, Madison winning by more than three seconds.
Image: Longines Global Champions Tour
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