Philipp Weishaupt Flies to Victory in the LGCT Grand Prix of Vienna

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30/09/2025

Vienna, Austria – September 28, 2025 – Show jumping magic lit up Austria’s capital this weekend as Philipp Weishaupt and his sensational Kilmister stormed to victory in the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Vienna, delivering a performance that will be remembered for years to come.

For the second week in a row, a nine-year-old horse captured the LGCT Grand Prix crown. This time, it was Kilmister’s turn, and the young gelding’s partnership with Weishaupt proved simply untouchable on the spectacular stage set against Vienna’s imperial backdrop.

“I’m not just saying this because I won – and I can’t say it’s my favourite as I’m from Riesenbeck – but we’re lucky enough to jump at incredible venues all over the world. Still, this? This is by far one of the most amazing, alongside Riesenbeck, of course,” said Philipp Weishaupt, visibly moved by Vienna’s return to the Tour. “When you’ve got someone like Peder Fredricson behind you, you never really know what’s going to happen. But being 1.2 seconds faster than Monaco and Harrie Smolders… we know we did a pretty good job.”

A Magical Return to Schönbrunn

The comeback of the Longines Global Champions Tour to Vienna was nothing short of spectacular. The majestic baroque backdrop of Schönbrunn Palace hosted a sold-out crowd, creating an electric atmosphere where every round was met with thunderous applause.

Hot on Weishaupt’s heels, Harrie Smolders and his legendary 16-year-old partner Monaco delivered yet another masterclass to finish second, adding another podium finish to their stellar season that already includes wins in Cannes and Valkenswaard.

“The sport this weekend has been fantastic – a super jump-off last night and again 12 riders in tonight’s jump-off. The level was extremely high, and that really makes the difference. Tonight, you had to ride very precisely – there were so many options and decisions to make,” reflected Smolders.

Ireland’s Bertram Allen and his talented nine-year-old Qonquest de Rigo claimed third place, marking a memorable return to the LGCT spotlight for the youngest-ever LGCT Grand Prix winner.

“I’m absolutely delighted – he’s still a young horse, and I was so impressed with how he stepped up today. When you’re up against the best in the world, there’s only so much you can hope for, and this is definitely it,” said Allen.

Golden Ticket to Prague Secured

For Weishaupt, the victory also came with a coveted prize: the Golden Ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs.

“Prague is my favourite week of the year, no question. The most emotional day of my sporting career was winning the GCL Super Cup in 2023, and I’m so happy to be back for the LGCT Super Grand Prix in 2025,” he said.

Overall Championship: Thomas Holds the Lead

Despite skipping Vienna, Gilles Thomas retains the leader’s armband with 261 points. Christian Kukuk moves closer in second with 206 points, while Andreas Schou remains third on 182. Harrie Smolders and Maikel van der Vleuten round out the top five as the race tightens with just three stages to go.

A Jump-Off to Remember

From the very start, the crowd knew they were in for something special. Bertram Allen set the tone with the first clear round, and Bassem Mohammed with Rocket Man and Eduardo Alvarez Aznar with Legend kept the momentum high. Martin Fuchs and L&L Lorde ensured a world-class lineup heading into the jump-off.

But the course was unforgiving. Jörne Sprehe, Guido Grimaldi, and even Olympic champion Henrik von Eckermann were caught out by time penalties, narrowly missing a place in the final showdown. In the end, 12 combinations advanced to the jump-off, setting the stage for a thrilling finale.

Allen laid down the first marker with a slick double clear in 42.31 seconds, but Weishaupt and Kilmister unleashed a blistering round, stopping the clock at 40.85 seconds – over a second faster than anyone else.

Sweden’s ice-cool Peder Fredricson gave it everything with Alcapone, delivering a smooth, foot-perfect round in 42.43 seconds to take fourth place, just shy of the podium.

Eyes on Rome

Under the floodlights of Schönbrunn, champagne sprayed and cheers echoed through the arena as Vienna’s long-awaited return delivered a fairytale ending: a young horse, a daring rider, and an unforgettable night of show jumping.

Now, all attention turns to Rome, where the iconic Circus Maximus will host Stage 14 of the Longines Global Champions Tour from 10–12 October. With the championship race heating up, the battle for the 2025 crown is far from over.

Final Results – LGCT Grand Prix Vienna 2025