Shanghai Swans in driver’s seat after season-opening Global Champions League win in Doha

Germany’s Deusser, the World No.5 in the sport, was joined by teammate Pius Schwizer of Switzerland (with the two riding, respectively, Calisto Blue and Cortney Cox) at the competition in Qatar, the first of 20 stops in the GCL this year. Running in parallel with the Longines Global Champions Tour, the GCL features teams of six riders each, including one who is 25 or younger. After Doha, competitions during the regular season will take place in Mexico City, Miami Beach, Shanghai, Madrid, Hamburg, Cannes, Stockholm, Cascais/Estoril, Monaco, Paris, Chantilly, Berlin, London, Valkenswaard, Rome, Ramatuelle/Saint Tropez, Montreal and New York, with two to three riders from each squad competing at each stage. Qualified teams will make it into the league play-offs in Prague next December. 

For the launch of the 2019 season at the AL SHAQAB Equestrian Centre in the Persian Gulf country, it was Deusser and Schwizer wearing the maroon coats of the Swans as they took on counterparts from around the world. And in the end, the German and Swiss riders came out on top of the field, joined on the podium by Ireland’s Bertram Allen (riding Harley vd Bisschop) and the Netherland’s Frank Schuttert (Chianti’s Champion) of Valkenswaard United in second, and Great Britain’s Scott Brash (Hello Senator) and Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher (Berlinda) of New York Empire in third. Full results and videos from the competition can be seen here.

The victory leaves Shanghai in first place in the league standings with 30 points after the opening stage, with the next competition scheduled for April 11–13 in Mexico City. In 2018, it was the London Knights squad led by Britain’s Ben Maher which convincingly captured the GCL title over closest rivals Valkenswaard. 

In any case, the two experienced Shanghai Swans riders were clearly enjoying the moment after their recent victory in Doha, with both praising each other’s perforances. “We have a very good team,” said Deusser. “But still in the end you have to get the job done!…. I have a super partner with Pius, so we’re very happy.”

“My horse jumped amazing,” Schwizer replied, “and in my mind Daniel is the best rider in the world at the moment, so thank-you Daniel!”