November 1, 2026 
Every 5* Grand Prix win is a cause for celebration, but some victories quickly remind you what the sport is all about. Case in point: the recently circulated video of Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and Marlon Zanotelli celebrating Angelica’s win this weekend in the LGCT Grand Prix of Rabat.
It’s been four years since Augustsson Zanotelli climbed to the top of a 5* podium, and it’s hard to tell who was more excited—the Swedish rider or her equally teary-eyed husband of more than a decade. (Fair warning, if you’re going to watch the video—and you should—you might want to have your Kleenex at the ready.)
On Sunday, November 1, Augustsson Zanotelli laid down a foot-perfect performance as the jump-off pathfinder aboard Iron Dames Calvino II de Nyze. The pair stopped the clock at 47.91 seconds, setting a benchmark that would withstand challenges from the eight competitors to follow.
Among them were Denis Lynch (IRL) and his partner of three years, Cordial, who produced the day’s only other double-clear effort, finishing just 0.11 behind Augustsson Zanotelli on 48.02 seconds. Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Untouched LB completed the podium with one rail down and a time of 46.24 seconds.
“I am very overwhelmed. This is more than I expected today,” said Augustsson Zanotelli after her win. “I am so thankful to my horse, to the whole team, and to Debora [Mayer] and the Iron Dames for giving me the opportunity to ride this amazing horse.
“It has been a long time since I last won a 5* Grand Prix, and to do it again here in Rabat is incredibly special.”
A former ride of both Thibeau Spits (BEL) and fellow Iron Dame Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER), this marks a career-first win for Augustsson Zanotelli and the 12-year-old Zangersheide stallion, who have been paired together since July of 2025.
With this victory, the rider for Sweden becomes the fourth Iron Dame-sponsored show jumper to earn her golden ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Verona alongside Sophie Hinners (GER), Katrin Eckermann (GER), and Anastasia Nielsen (MON).
All Eyes On Fair Verona
Last week at the inaugural LGCT Grand Prix of Cairo, Abdel Säid locked up the LGCT Individual Championship ahead of this weekend’s final stop on 245 points. Rabat podium finishers Christian Ahlmann (GER) and Denis Lynch finished the season in second and third place, on 240 points and 233 points, respectively.
Meanwhile, on the GCL side, the Monaco Aces topped the podium in the closing leg of the regular season in Rabat thanks to two, fault-free performances from Yuri Mansur (BRA) and Ioli Mytilineou (GRE). Riesenbeck International powered by Horse Gym took second, while the New York Empire powered by Lugano were third.
But Riesenbeck International found two reasons to celebrate in Rabat, securing not just a podium finish but the GCL Series Championship for the second time in three years, which they earned on a dominant 322 points. The Istanbul Warriors finished second with 259 points, while New York Empire took third on 242 points.
“Consistency is everything in sport, and that is what makes winning the GCL Championship so special. It is not about performing well at one event; you have to deliver results across all 16 stages throughout the season,” said Riesenbeck International rider Philipp Weishaupt (GER).
“We put an enormous amount of thought, preparation and planning into the GCL every year. At every single stage this year, we have made the GCL our priority, bringing our best horses and giving everything for the team. That commitment from everyone involved is what makes the difference, and to see all that hard work pay off with another championship title is incredibly rewarding.”
The top four GCL teams from the regular season (which also includes the Prague Lions) receive direct qualification into the GCL Super Cup Semi-Finals. Only the top 12 teams in the league qualify to compete in Verona, meaning that the 2026 season has come to an end for the Mexico Amigos, Shanghai Swans, Cairo Pharaohs, Scandinavian Vikings, and Rome Gladiors.
The Global Champions Playoffs will take place November 19-22 in Verona.
