Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – October 28, 2023 – Christian Kukuk (GER) had just missed out on a podium position in the 2023 LGCT Championship season race but he did stamp his ticket to the LGCT Super Cup by winning the €515,800 Longines Global Champions Tour of Riyadh CSI 5* onboard Checker last Saturday, following the success of his teammates from Riesenbeck International winning theGCL team Championship the previous day.
“I can only smile, I am very, very emotional, I came here with the goal to win the ticket for the LGCT Super Grand Prix. To bring it home and cross the finish line to win is just amazing.”
For the second year running Malin Bayard Johnsson (SWE) and H&M Indiana gave everyone a run for their money securing second place just behind Kukuk by 0.16 seconds.
Simon Delestre (FRA) and Dexter Fontenis Z took home third place and catapulted himself up the Championship overall standings to fifth.
As the heroic conclusion of the 2023 Longines Global Champions Tour season Championship race came to a close, attention now shifts to GC Prague Playoffs. This city sets the stage for the year’s ultimate final showdown, where each victor from each of the 15 legs returns to compete in the €1.25 million Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix.
Speaking after Saturday night’s win, Christian Kukuk (GER) was a ball of emotion as his goals for 2023 became a reality. He said: “I can only smile, I am very, very emotional, I came here with the goal to win the ticket for the LGCT Super Grand Prix. To bring it home and cross the finish line to win is just amazing.”
The full roster of riders earning their Golden Ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs is now complete. A season that has spanned 15 stages, from the Middle East to Mexico, Monaco to Madrid, the Longines Global Champions Tour has seen the best of the best battle at every stage providing world class entertainment, display of skill and testament to dedication to their horses and careers.
All eyes now look ahead to 2023’s Grand Finale – the GC Prague Playoffs.
Final Results – €515,800 Longines Global Champions Tour of Riyadh CSI 5*
1) Christian Kukuk (GER) & Checker 47 – 0 / 0 – 37.56
2) Malin Baryard Johnsson (SWE) & H&M Indiana – 0 / 0 – 37.72
3) Simon Delestre (FRA) & Dexter Fontenis Z – 0 / 0 – 38.31
Sourse: Press Release (edited) from Longines Global Champions Tour
Photos: © LGCT / Jorge Cunha
Categories: CSI 5*, English, GCL, Global Champions Tour, Jumper News Deutschland
