July 21, 2024 
Who run the Global Champions League?
Iron Dames!
The Cannes Stars powered by the Iron Dames claimed their fourth win of the season at the GCL Riesenbeck, Germany on Saturday.
Like in Monaco the leg prior, they were the only team on a clean sheet.
Germany’s Katin Eckermann on Iron Dames Cala Mandia Nrw and U25 rider Sophie Hinners on Iron Dames Singclair were the sole combination to find a clear path through the first round course. Riesenbeck international trailed by just one time fault and Rome Gladiators, Valkenswaard United and Doha Falcons, by a single rail.
Rome Gladiators managed came home on a double clear in Round 2, but a dropped rail by Riesenbeck gave Cannes Stars had a rail in hand.
Last to go, Hinners guided Iron Dames Singclair to another foot perfect clear. Eckermann repeated the feat, despite losing her stirrup half way round, punching the air as she crossed the finish line and taking a spontaneous lap of honor hand in hand with Hinners.
“It’s amazing that again we could deliver four clear rounds,” said Hinners. “It’s an unbelievable feeling here in Germany in front of our family and friends… we won in Monaco and we have shown we can now do it again, and we can all be so proud and thankful for our team standing behind us—without them, this could not be possible.”
“I am a bit lost for words,” conceded Eckermann. “It really was a lot of pressure with Riesenbeck International going straight before us, I knew I could have one down, but here at the top level we all know how fast a fault can happen… but both our horses jumped amazing, we rode very well—we were really fighting for it today. I can’t describe this feeling—just wow, this is woman power!”
Both horses are now owned by Pegase Equestrian BV as of this season and have seen their Jumpr stats rise in tandem with the Cannes Stars success.
Eleven-year-old Westphalian mare Iron Dames Cala Mandia Nrw (Capistrano 2 x Valentino 240), developed by Eckermann, has a 42% top 10 finish average over 14 rounds at 1.60m this season. It’s a 22% increase over 2023.
Hinners and Iron Dames Singclair made their 1.60m debut this season. The 9-year-old Swedish Warmblood gelding (Singular LS La Silla x Cardento 933) is jumping clear at a 50% tick over 10 rounds and into the top-10 40% of the time with Hinners in the irons.
With 229 points, Cannes Stars’ have extended their championship lead to 26 points. Stockholm Hearts now sit in second on 203 points with Doha Falcons and Riesenbeck International in third and fourth place, respectively, on 196 points.
But the team championship title is far from clinched, according to Riesenbeck International’s Christian Kukuk.
“The Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames team have had a really, really good season, and they are quite far ahead, but, we were in the same position last year and they should not be too safe. We will try everything on the last shows—we are very optimistic and positive, so we will see what we can do.”
The GCL next heads to the iconic Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, August 16–18.
