The GCL, which was launched in 2016, took place in a completely new format this year. Whereas previously teams were formed by nation, now the teams were international and U25 riders were also included. Each GCL competition took place in two rounds, with the combined results of the 1st round carried over to the 2nd round. (The 1st round is the CSI 5* 1.55 m class and the 2nd round is the CSI 5* 1.60 m class)
The 4 best teams did not have to participate in the semi-finals in order to save horses and went straight to the super final in Prague, where 8 teams finally faced off.
The competition was intense and, according to the participants, the best level of show jumping in the world! The team Rome Gladiators, which included Emanuele Gaudiano (Esteban De Hus), Peder Fredricson (Alcapone Des Carmille) as well as Yuri Mansur with the Estonian sport horse Alfons Ra (Aromats- False Pass, breeder Rebala tallid OÜ), had a great first round and went into the second round with the hope that the victory would belong to the “gladiators”, but it became tense when Gudiano and Mansur both made one mistake. Fortunately, the situation was saved by anchorman Fredricson’s clean course and time of 72.67 seconds, earning the Rome Gladiators the title of 2025 GCL Super Cup winner and the lion’s share of the 6.5 million euro prize fund!
Alfons Ra started his career in Estonia under Estonian rider Rein Pill and together they became Estonian Champions in Showjumping in two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018. Estonian breeders were ecstatic when they heard the news of Alfons and Yuri Mansur qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics were they took the 20- th place individually and the 6 -th place with the Brazilian team. They were the best pair in the team with only 4 penalty points! It is absolutely fantastic to see that 18-year-old Alfons Ra is still in such top form. What a partnership with his rider Yuri Mansur!
Thank You Yuri, Alfons and his breeders for these emotions over the years!
