November 21, 2025 
Day one of the Prague Playoffs is in the books and drama is already running high.
Twelve teams took to the Global Champions League Super Cup Quarter Final on Thursday, with the top eight advancing to Friday’s Semi Finals where they’ll be joined by the 2025 season’s top four teams in a bid to qualify for Sunday’s €10 million Final.
But for one team: the Playoffs have come to an abrupt halt.
Istanbul Warriors, represented by Henrik von Eckermann (Steely Dan), Abdel Saïd (Bonne Amie) and Simon Delestre (Cayman Jolly Jumper), finished on 8 (4, 4, 0) in the Quarter Final to assure themselves of a spot in the second round of team competition. Until it didn’t.
Delestre was disqualified after the class due to an equipment failure when the chin strap on his helmet came undone on course. Under FEI rules, all athletes must wear securely fastened protective headgear at all times when mounted on the show grounds. The Frenchman’s disqualification also disqualified his team as all scores count in the GCL format. New York Empire moved into the eighth spot in their place.
Here is Delestre’s full statement, via Google translate:
“This week, I’m in Prague for the LCCT playoffs with my team, the Istanbul Warriors.
My horse, Cayman, jumped a clear round yesterday, allowing the team to advance to tonight’s semifinals and then to Sunday’s grand final. At obstacle number 9, the chin strap on my helmet came undone, unintentionally and without me even realizing it. So I jumped the last four obstacles with my helmet unfastened, without the judges signaling me to stop by ringing the bell. At the end of my round, my clear round was recorded and my performance validated at the end of the event.
Following this, the jury ultimately decided to disqualify me. The consequences are extremely serious, as my team, the Istanbul Warriors, is penalized for my clear round, preventing them from advancing to the semi-finals. My teammates also suffer the consequences indirectly.
Following a lengthy discussion this morning with the jury president, in accordance with FEI procedures, and despite all the evidence we presented, demonstrating a significant number of rounds during which riders, like me and despite their best efforts, had their helmets open, the jury president decided to uphold my disqualification.
To date, I am one of the few riders to have experienced such a firm and definitive interpretation of this FEI rule. No other rider has been disqualified, even though sometimes the same scenario occurred at the very beginning of the round.
Helmet use and rider safety are issues that greatly concern me and in which I am deeply involved, especially with my students. I have always been one of those who lead by example by wearing my helmet in all circumstances, even before it was mandatory. I understand the importance and necessity of this essential piece of safety equipment. Equipment approved by the FEI, if it becomes defective during the course, regardless of the rider’s actions, should not be able to influence the outcome of the competition, especially when the judges did not deem it necessary to interrupt the course to ensure the rider’s safety.
I find this decision unfair and inappropriate. Why do other riders, in the same circumstances as me, have their scores upheld, while I am disqualified?
I would like to thank the Istanbul Warriors for their support in this formidable competition. I thank the entire team for this year by their side. I would have liked a fitting end to our wonderful season!”
The GCL Super Cup continues Friday with the Semi-Final and concludes Sunday with the Final.
