History Made as the Youngest ever LGCT Champion Seals the Title with two Stages to Spare
Rome, Italy – October 12, 2025 – In the 19-year history of the Longines Global Champions Tour, few seasons have captured hearts and headlines quite like this one. At just twenty-seven years old, Belgium’s Gilles Thomas (BEL) has etched his name into the record books as the youngest ever LGCT Champion, securing the title with two stages still to come – the earliest any rider has done so in more than a decade.
While Rabat and Riyadh remain on the calendar, Thomas’ position on the leaderboard is now untouchable. It’s the result of a campaign built on consistency, composure, and a rare bond between horse and rider – a season that has showcased a talent maturing into mastery on the sport’s biggest stage.
From Shanghai to St. Tropez, Paris to Rome, Thomas has ridden with precision and purpose, delivering performances that defined a champion. The season began with promise in Shanghai, where he and Luna van het Dennehof took second in the LGCT Grand Prix. It was the first sign of what was to come. Weeks later in St. Tropez, Qalista DN carried him to fourth, before the breakthrough moment arrived in Paris – a sublime victory aboard Ermitage Kalone, whose effortless scope and brilliance lit up the shadow of the Eiffel Tower.
Momentum followed. Back home in Valkenswaard, Qalista DN again rose to the occasion for a third-place finish, before the pair stormed to victory under the New York skyline, sealing another unforgettable LGCT Grand Prix win. By the time the tour reached Rome, Thomas’ rhythm was unstoppable. Another flawless performance with Qalista DN secured second place and, with it, the Championship crown.
His season has been defined not by one horse but by a team – Qalista DN, Ermitage Kalone, and Luna van het Dennehof – each contributing to a tapestry of results that underline Thomas’ skill as a horseman. Managing three top-level horses at the highest intensity is no easy feat, but his ability to bring out their best in the most pressurised moments set him apart from the rest of the field.
Speaking in Rome after clinching the title, Thomas reflected on what it meant to wear the leader’s armband throughout the season: “Getting this armband quite early in the season? Maybe it gave me some wings,” he smiled. “I was very motivated and focused on every LGCT Grand Prix, and I liked the pressure of being the leading rider – it means everything to win it.”
The youngest ever to win the LGCT Championship, the earliest ever to do it in a season in over a decade, Gilles Thomas’ form started with flair and held to the crowning moments. It’s not just a win, it’s domination. Gilles reacted on whether he understands the significance… he said “Not really yet, today I was focussing on trying to win this stage but now I am also the Championship winner all year my horses they jumped amazing, and getting this armband quite early in the season? Maybe it gave me some wings – I was very motivated and focused on every LGCT Grand Prix and I liked, the pressure of being the leading rider and it means everything to win it!.”
With the championship race now concluded, Gilles Thomas (BEL) has officially been crowned the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour Champion, securing an unassailable 275 points after a stellar season. Harrie Smolders sits second on 214 points, and with confirmation that he will not compete in Rabat nor Riyadh, his tally is now final. The focus now turns to the battle behind them – Christian Kukuk (208 points), Maikel van der Vleuten (198.5 points) and Andreas Schou (182 points) will all be fighting for the remaining podium positions.
Earlier in New York, after yet another winning round, his focus was unwavering: “It’s been an amazing season, and wearing this armband motivates me even more to perform in every LGCT Grand Prix.”
Driven, disciplined, and humble in victory, Gilles Thomas has come of age on the Longines Global Champions Tour. His 2025 season will be remembered not only for the titles and triumphs but for the spirit in which he earned them – calm under pressure, connected to his horses, and always pushing for more.
A season of precision, partnership, and poise has crowned a new Champion – one whose name is destined to echo through the story of modern show jumping.
Source: Press Release (edited) from LGCT – Longines Global Champions Tour
Photos: © LGCT / Stefano Grasso
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Categories: English, Jumper News Belgie, LGCT
