Olli Fletcher jumps a vital clear round to put Istanbul Warriors on top in an exciting Global Champions League contest at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Paris

Monday 23 June 2025

The stakes were sky-high, the tension tangible, and the competition fierce as elite sport met Parisian elegance underneath the Eiffel Tower for the Global Champions League.  

The Istanbul Warriors powered by Carpe Diem Equestrian Team rose to the occasion, delivering a tactical and tenacious performance to claim victory.  Henrik von Eckermann, Abdel Said and Olli Fletcher clinched the win on eight faults, edging out their rivals by just 0.11 seconds.

Istanbul Warriors’ winning trio radiated camaraderie and contagious energy after their win.

For Abdel Said, the result was a product of planning and cohesion: "We came to Paris having spoken together and with team owner Efe to make our plan. Teamwork... it's all strategic, you can say what you want but you have to think, you have to talk and you all have to push in the same direction.  You can have the best riders with the best horses but if they don't communicate it doesn't always go your way."

Henrik von Eckermann echoed the ambition within the squad, "I think it's a realistic goal for us to be in the top four, that's what we want to aim for... just have to be consistent for the next shows, and it looks quite good."

Supporting from afar, team owner and rider Efe Siyahi said: "I can't remember the last time I jumped around like a 10-year-old boy while celebrating watching the TV. I couldn't be more proud of our team."

For Under 25 talent Olli Fletcher – who delivered a brilliant clear in round one on Hello William – the moment was one to remember: "It’s truly inspirational, when you see what these two have achieved in our sport, I am just a kid, to look at these two perform and bring it home and stand on top of the podium is just such an honour to be part of.”

With a top four finish in the overall Championship granting direct access to the GCL Super Cup semi-finals at the GC Prague Playoffs, every point counts.

 Four teams stood on a zero score at the halfway stage, the Istanbul Warriors securing clear rounds from Olli on Hello William and Abdel Said with Bonne Amie.  Heading into round two, they brought in a major asset in former Longines world number one Henrik von Eckermann, after Olli completed round one.

But there was drama when first to go for Istanbul Warriors, Abdel Said, who swapped horses for the second round, and Quaker Brimbelles Z took the whole wing of the Eiffel Tower fence out at number four.  He managed to hold it together and finish on just the four faults.  Nonetheless, a lightning-fast round from Henrik von Eckermann and Minute Man put them ahead of Valkenswaard United with two teams to go…

The home team Paris Panthers buckled and dropped down the order much to the French crowd’s disappointment, and it was only the Shanghai Swans who stood between the Istanbul Warriors and victory.  Shanghai Swans entered the arena with the opportunity to take over as Championship leaders, and a flawless clear from Christian Ahlmann and Dourkhan Hero Z kept them in the contention.  But an unusual round of Max Kuhner riding EIC Up Too Jacco Blue finishing on 12 faults handed the win to Istanbul Warriors before he had even finished.

Valkenswaard United finished in second place with the Prague Lions in third.

With the Championship edging toward its critical midpoint and just one stage remaining before the team transfer window opens, the pressure is ramping up.  The Cannes Stars sit at the top of the Global Champions League leaderboard on 152 just three points ahead of Velkenswaard United.  The Shanghai Swans are in third on 141, the Prague Lions take fourth on 118 with the St Tropez Pirates in fifth on 112 only one point ahead of the sixth-placed Istanbul Warriors on 111.

Grace Healey jumped to the top of the 30-strong 1* 1.40m speed on the 14-year-old mare Destina Du Mesnil Z, winning by 0.61 sec.

 

Donald Whitaker secures third place in the 5* Grand Prix of Rotterdam with Millfield Colette

Donald Whitaker skilfully guided the excitable Millfield Colette into third in the concluding 5* Grand Prix of Rotterdam with a double clear.

Only eight of the original 48 riders mastered Belgian course-designer Bart Vonck’s 14-fence, 17-effort 1.60m track to reach the jump-off, with two Brits in the mix.

Sienna Charles set an early target in the opening draw on the home-bred  Typhoon S 11-year-old Chawton for the rest to chase, but was soon relegated as the eventual winner, The USA’s Karl Cook dared with a fearless round on Caracole De La Roque. 

Donald Whitaker chased with the 12-year-old mare Millfield Colette (Cornet Obolensky x Clearway) but could only come within 1.61 sec of the winning time, slipping into third behind second-placed Nina Mallevaey (FRA) on Dynastie De Beaufour and in front of Sienna, now fourth.

Donald was philosophical: "Looking back at the jump-off, I may have messed up a bit. It was a challenging course, and to beat Karl you needed to be perfect.  Unfortunately, it didn't happen for us today, but my horse always gives her whole heart in the arena, she could never let me down, no matter the result. She is an amazing horse."  

 

Skye Higgin takes a podium place in Deauville

Skye Higgin eased Djordania Du Tillard into third in the Range Rover 3* 1.50m in Deauville, France. 

Seventy-eight riders faced course-designer Cedric Longis’s 13-fence, 16-effort track with 19 finding the key to qualify for the jump-off.  Skye and the 12-year-old Air Jordan x Diamant De Semilly mare posted another clear round to slot into third 2.73 seconds behind the winner, Norway’s Jenny Krogsaeter on Hipster SV.

Chloe Aston jumped to the top in the 3* 1.40m two-phase on Diatendra Von Rocherrath Z, the 10-year-old Diamant De Semilly x Contendro mare outpacing 76 rivals to win by 0.83 seconds.

Jess Mendoza featured in the nine-horse decider of the 3* 1.55m Grand Prix and posted the fastest time of the class – 0.07 seconds quicker than the winning time – but a costly rail for four faults dropped Summerhouse to fifth.  France’s Olivier Robert took the win on Iglesias DV. 

Image: Ljuba Buzzola

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