Monaco’s leg of the Longines Global Champions Tour delivered surprises and exhilarating competitions for three days, from 2 July to 4 July. The iconic Port d’Hercule and the Prince’s Palace provided a spectacular backdrop for the event’s 20th anniversary.
First-time win for Stephan de Freitas Barcha
The Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco, held under the patronage of Prince Albert II, saw the world’s best riders compete in front of a star-studded audience. Sporting stars like Paul Pogba, and other VIP guests and fans gathered to witness a race against the clock, where first and second place were separated by mere tenths of a second.
Stephan de Freitas Barcha claimed his first Longines Grand Prix victory, with a time of 35.40 seconds, with Dinozo Imperio Egipcio. Piergiorgio Bucci and Pallieter vd N.Ranch were runners-up with a superb double clear in 35.60 seconds, while Christian Ahlmann and Untouched LB completed a faultless round in 36.18 seconds, to complete a world-class podium.
Third consecutive victory for Riesenbeck International
On the first day of Monaco’s competition, Riesenbeck International and Horse Gym won their third consecutive Longines Global Champions victory, closing in on the 2026 Championship as the season reached its halfway point.
Following victories in St Tropez and Paris, the German outfit, made of Marco Kutscher and Maximilian Weishaupt, produced four flawless clear rounds across both phases, to secure a perfect score of 0 penalties. But a flawless performance does not always equal a victory in this top-tier competition.
After both Riesenbeck International and Madrid In Motion finished with 0 penalties, the title came down to combined time, with Riesenbeck stopping the clock just 0.06 seconds faster than their rivals in one of the closest finishes in Longines history!
Heart-break on Day Two
With Monaco’s famously compact arena calling for bravery and split-second decision making, the CSI5 (1.50 metre jump-off) provided a nail-biting competition on 3 July. Monaco’s CS15 is presented by the Fédération Équestre de la Principauté de Monaco.
There was heartbreak before the jump-off even began for Ireland’s Michael Pender aboard Madgeslane Louis, who missed qualification after collecting a single time fault.
In the end, USA’s Kristen Vanderveen and Starbucks 27 claimed victory in the CSI5. She managed a breathtaking clear in 33.78 seconds and won the competition.
Father-daughter team win Pro Am Cup!
The Longines Pro Am Cup, which pairs an amateur and professional rider, took place on 3 July. Launched by Charlotte Casiraghi in 2010, the competition’s pace and relay format make it a real crowd-pleaser. Twelve teams took part to clear the jumps with the fastest combined time. Charlotte Casiraghi, Princess Caroline, and Mélanie-Antoinette de Massy attended the event.
A father and daughter team made up of Lisa and Emanuele Gaudiano claimed an emotional victory. The charity event raised €20,000 for AMADE, the World Association of Children’s Friends founded by Princess Grace.
