Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames Claim Global Champions League Season Title

By Jumper News on 2024-10-19

Rabat, Morocco – October 18, 2024 – During the highly competitive final Global Champions League battle of the 2024 season, the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames emerged victorious in a thrilling debut, securing the 2024 Championship title and making an extraordinary mark in their first-ever GCL season. The Cannes Stars rose to the occasion, claiming their share of the prestigious €8.5 million Championship prize in Rabat, Morocco.

**Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmerman** (GER) & **Messi van’T Ruytershof**

Denying the Riesenbeck International, powered by Kingsland Equestrian what would be their third GCL Championship win in a row, Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmerman (GER), Natalie Dean (USA) and Sophie Hinners (GER) aboard their superstar mounts respectively Messi Van’t Ruytershof, Acota M and Iron Dames Singclair powered through rounds one and two, leaving the team managed by Ludger Beerbaum settling for second place by 20 points.

Stockholm Hearts, powered by H&M We Love Horses took the final spot on the podium just 11 points behind second, while Doha Falcons secured fourth place in 252 points, meaning they are the last team to qualify straight for the GCL Super Cup Semi-Final at the GC Playoffs in November, crucially skipping the knock-out Quarter Final.

Filled with thrills and spills, the GCL of Rabat presented by Years of Culture as part of Qatar-Morocco 2024 left spectators on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Rome Gladiators powered by ClipMyHorse.TV of Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), Kyle Timm (CAN) and Michael Duffy (IRL) delivered the only double clear of the day to win the Rabat stage of the year in style but it was too late in the season to secure a top 4 finish in the overall championship.

The Stockholm Hearts, consisting of Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE), Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) finished second as the fastest team on four faults just ahead of the power house team Shanghai Swans consisting of Daniel Deusser (GER), Ben Maher (GBR) and Max Kühner (AUT).

The victory in the heart of Morocco’s Capital city has added an illustrious chapter to the Cannes Stars‘ history as the presentation party of Jan Tops and Abdulrahman Saleh N Al-Attiya, 1st Secretary at the Embassy of the State of Qatar in Rabat (representing Qatar-Morocco 2024 Year of Culture) presented awards to the grooms of Sebastian Hasenberg, Kiki Motycakova and Theo Simpson who also won the Championship for their team.

As well as taking the lion’s share of the €8.5 million Championship prize in Rabat, the Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames also take home the GCL Grand Prize presented by Hilton Luxury Brands, a once in a lifetime trip awarded to all 6 members of the winning team. A 5 day holiday to each discover a haven of luxury and tranquility at the Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, and as the only member of the team to have been to the Seychelles before, Natalie Dean (USA) said “It is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and I can not wait to go back.”

**Sophie Hinners** (GER), **Natalie Dean** (USA) and **Janne Friederike Meyer Zimmermmann** (GER)

Speaking of the Championship win, u25 rider Dean went on to add, “It’s been a dream come true. All of us have Deborah to thank for everything. Her support means so much to us and we couldn’t do it without her. And to be the first all-female team ever to win the GCL is just a dream come true. This has really been a big dream and a big goal for our team to show that an all-female team can win. And for us to do it in the first season is just incredible.”

President and Founder of GCL Jan Tops spoke of the first ever Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL event on the African continent. Speaking of the setup and event itself, he said, “The footing, the stabling, everything here in Rabat is of the highest standard. Thanks to the Federation and the Royal Family for their support with this fantastic Finals. And I must also thank Longines, for making this happen, and Years Of Culture, Qatar-Morocco 2024, without them we could not have done what we are doing today, we have made something really unique and special.”

He added, “Congratulations to the Iron Dames, what they did is amazing. When you enter the first year, against all these teams which have a lot of experience on this level, to win this whole series, not only one class, that’s a really incredible performance. I believe they cannot do it without someone who really supports them. I think Deborah Meyer did it from the beginning, first class, managing, and being very professional. I think all our teams can learn from what they did.”

An emotional Cannes Stars team founder Deborah Mayer (GER) spoke proudly of her team winning the Championship title, she said “I have no words. I have so many emotions. It’s really amazing. Natalie, Sophie, Janne, Sanne, Kim and Katrin have been amazing. It’s a huge honour that we receive. We follow our passion. And show jumping, the equestrian the world, is our passion. What has been achieved is just amazing, beyond words. I have no words to express how I feel and the huge immense pride I have for what the whole team has achieved.”

**Sophie Hinners** (GER) & **Iron Dames Singclair**

Sophie Hinners (GER) smiled and went on to add, “I think when we all started this year no one would have expected that it would go so well. Only in 12 months we are here and standing on top of the overall ranking. It makes us really proud and really excited to look into the future of what will be possible.”

Speaking in the standing-room-only press conference room Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER): “For me as a mom, I never met somebody like Deborah before. For her it was the most normal thing that I bring my son and that he is also part of this big Iron Dames family, and that’s something that is completely new to the sport and I think that is also something that makes the difference. It’s really special and inspiring. Today we got so many well wishes from so many different people, and that is so unique. I think I speak for all of us when we say that the honour is on our side.”

Talking on behalf of Riesenbeck International, second place in the Championship Philipp Weishaupt (GER) said: “What the Cannes Stars did was incredible this season. I don’t think there is one single rider who doesn’t believe that it was more than well deserved. It was a great final today and we will be back to fight next year!”

His fellow teammate Christian Kukuk (GER) showed his renowned competitive spirit, adding, “It feels a little bit disappointing to come ‘only second’ after winning the championship for the past two years. But I must say today was a perfect reflection of our year. We had a single unlucky rail in the second round where the luck was just not quite on our side. The Cannes Stars had that luck on their side for this year but there is another year coming next year and we will be back to fight again to win the overall championship.”

Rounding off the podium Olivier Philippaerts explained: “The main goal for the Stockholm Hearts was to make sure we stay in the top four and we did that! Now we have to sit down and see what the plans are next year for team H&M.”