AN event that has undoubtedly brought the sport of show jumping up a notch to previously unseen territory, the incredible Global Champions Playoffs at the O2 Arena in Prague culminated last Sunday with the €6.4 million Global Champions Super Cup.

At the end of three days of tough competition, which began on Thursday with 18 teams in the quarter final stages, the Shanghai Swans team wrote their name in the history book when landing the top prize of €2.7 million in the six-team final.

Uliano Vezzani built two gutsy courses, with huge 1.60m fences coming up thick and fast – horses and riders needing to be absolutely on their game from the first stride, and it caused plenty of headaches throughout.

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam lined out for the Swans in the semi-final with Chaqui Z, while it was Germany’s Daniel Deusser (Jasmien vd Bisschop), Sweden’s Peder Fredricson (H&M Christian K) and Switzerland’s Pius Schwizer (Cortney Cox) who delivered under pressure in the final round.

Deusser was the hero of the hour after producing a spectacular double clear round – one of only two in the final competition. The second Irish rider on the podium was Co Louth’s Mark McAuley (Vivaldi du Theil) in third place as part of the Madrid in Motion teams, winners of the final last season.

Daniel Deusser of the Swans spoke of what the prestigious victory meant to the team and how they had been planning throughout 2019 to take the prestigious trophy, saying: “It was a goal of the season – it’s as simple as that. The whole year you’re planning to qualify for this event and every day there is pressure. The crowd, the whole arena, everything together here is fantastic organisation.”

Teammate Peder Fredricson added: “I didn’t believe it. The pressure was on. It was really exciting competition. Three riders in each team with no drop score, so much could happen. The best horses are here with the best riders, and it was two big courses. It was hard work but we’re finally in the spot we wanted.”

The team paid tribute to their team mates Shane Sweetnam, Alexandra Thornton and Kim Emmen.

Monaco Aces team of Laura Kraut (Confu), Jos Verlooy (Igor) and Julien Epaillard (Queeletta) slotted into second place on 21 faults, ahead of Madrid in Motion in third with 24, and the Cannes Star finished fourth with a total of 26 faults.

Heartbreak

There was heartbreak for the Paris Panthers team who were in pole position. The team consisting of Offaly’s Darragh Kenny (Romeo 88), Nayel Nassar (Lucifer V), Gregory Wathelet (MJT Nevados S) fell off the podium in the second round when ending on 28 penalties in fifth place.

Cian O’Connor was part of the Valkenswaard United team who finished sixth. He rode the nine-year-old PSG Final to a perfect clear in round two, however, teammates Marcus Ehning (Comme Il Faut) and Frank Schuttert (Queensland E) both racked up penalties and the team finished on 30 faults. However, both Paris Pathners and Valkenswaard United picked up €411,520 in prize money for their efforts.