Ciaran Nallon Triumphs at the Global Tour Finale in Rabat
In a dazzling display of skill and composure, Irish equestrian Ciaran Nallon, based in Riesenbeck, Germany, secured a significant victory at the 2026 Global Tour Finale held in the vibrant city of Rabat, Morocco. Competing aboard his twelve-year-old ZfdP gelding, Christians Carado, Nallon not only demonstrated exceptional riding prowess but also marked one of the most notable achievements of his burgeoning career. Just a day prior, he was part of a team that clinched second place in the Global Champions League alongside fellow rider Philipp Weishaupt, contributing to Riesenbeck International's overall success in the league standings. The competition in Rabat was fierce, with a challenging 1.50-meter course that featured two double combinations and one triple combination, which proved to be a test of both speed and precision for the 40 participating riders.
As the first rider to tackle the demanding course set by course designer Uliano Vezzani, Nallon navigated each element with a blend of focus and elegance. While several riders had previously completed the course without faults, none managed to do so within the stipulated time limit, underscoring the complexity of the challenge that led to nine pairs failing to finish.
The Jump-Off Excitement
After Nallon and Christians Carado set a high standard, ten additional riders qualified for the exciting jump-off. They once again took the lead, showcasing a well-executed round characterized by tight turns and optimal strides. Their impressive benchmark of 39.65 seconds became the time to beat, leaving Nallon anxiously awaiting the outcome as each subsequent rider attempted to surpass it. Although Victor Bettendorf aboard Atchoum de la Roque Z and Jérôme Guery with Quito de Mariposa recorded faster times, they incurred four penalty points, leaving Nallon in the lead. Even Emanuele Gaudiano, known for his quick rounds, could not eclipse Nallon’s time, as he and his mount, Nikolaj de Music, finished second with a time of 40.26 seconds, followed closely by Christian Ahlmann and his nine-year-old horse, Diamantino, who clocked in at 40.48 seconds.
For Ahlmann, this result marked a significant achievement in their partnership, which only began at the start of the season. Notably, they outperformed the renowned duo of Maikel van der Vleuten and Beauville Z, who, despite their accolades as Olympic and World Championship medallists, finished just behind in fourth place with a time of 40.51 seconds.
In the aftermath of the competition, a jubilant Ciaran Nallon expressed his disbelief at the victory, stating: "Honestly, I did not expect this at all – it makes the win even more special. Being the first to go in the jump-off against so many exceptional riders, you can never be certain your time will hold. I just hoped it would be enough for a top placement. Witnessing others attempt to beat our time was an incredible feeling. This win means a lot to me, especially at this stage in my career. I am immensely grateful to the entire team behind us that makes such moments possible. Rabat is a fantastic tournament, with an exceptional venue and an event organized to the highest standards. Winning against such strong competition is an experience I will remember for a long time."
As reported by equi-pages.de.
