October 10, 2025 
With only two stops left in the regular season, the GCL standings couldn’t be closer. On Friday, October 10, the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames came out swinging in the ancient Circus Maximus amphitheater in Rome.
At the end of the day, the Stars’ Sophie Hinners (GER) & Iron Dames Combella and Katrin Eckermann (GER) aboard Chao Lee and Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS were the only team to end the day on a zero score. The Doha Falcons and Paris Panthers—previously ranked last and second-last in the overall standings—finished in second (on 4 points) and third (on 6 points), respectively.
Despite leading after Round 1, the Shanghai Swans team of Christian Ahlmann (Untouched LB), Katharina Rhomberg (Colestus Cambridge), and Max Kühner (Elektric Blue P) suffered 8 faults in Round 2, dropping them down the leaderboard.
“It’s always special to win with this team,” Eckermann said after their victory. Aboard new ride Iron Dames Dialou Blue PS—who came to the German rider’s string from Kevin Staut (FRA) in January of this year—Eckermann jumps clear at 50% at the GCL Round 1 height of 1.55m (Jumpr Stats).
“We trust each other completely, and the horses were in fantastic form today,” Eckermann continued. “Rome is one of the most beautiful shows on the circuit, and this win means everything for our championship fight.”
She isn’t exaggerating. With Rome scores done and dusted, the Cannes Stars move up to a tied, first-place position in the standings opposite Valkenswaard United on a score of 277, with just Rabat, Morrocco (October 17-19) and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (October 30- November 1) still left to jump.
Not only is the overall championship on the line, but a key berth in the GC Playoffs this fall in Prague (November 20-23), where the top four teams in the championship standings receive an automatic bye into the GCL Super Cup Semi-Finals, with €10 million in prize money on the line.
Despite their tied score of 277, however, Valkenswaard technically has the edge: their three wins and four podium finishes already this season outpace the Stars who, with this win in Rome, have two wins and three podium finishes on the board so far. Though maybe not for long…
“It is going to be a very exciting last two shows of the year,” said the Hinners, who currently boasts a 53% top 10 finish rate in 32 rounds at the GCL Round 2 height of 1.60m with Iron Dames Combella.
“We are proud to be on top of the podium today. It makes us so happy to see these championship points, and now we need to fight until the end!”
