RED MILLS riders enjoyed a standout weekend at the 2026 LGCT in Rome
Abdel Saïd claimed a spectacular Grand Prix victory to extend his Championship lead, while Mikey Pender and Bertram Allen celebrated success in the Global Champions League team competition.
The Eternal City provided a dramatic backdrop for the 13th stage of the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour, bringing together the world’s leading show jumpers for a weekend of five-star competition. With the Championship race reaching a crucial stage, the pressure was firmly on and RED MILLS riders delivered performances to remember.
Abdel Saïd wins the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rome
Belgian rider Abdel Saïd produced a superb performance aboard Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z to win the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rome, securing the maximum 40 Championship points and strengthening his position at the top of the 2026 standings.
In a thrilling seven-horse jump-off, Saïd delivered a faultless round in 35.27 seconds to take victory. Fellow Belgian Pieter Devos finished second aboard Casual DV Z in 35.88 seconds, while France’s Lara Tryba secured third place with Chageorge in 36.19 seconds.
A crucial victory in the 2026 LGCT Championship race
The result proved particularly significant in the battle for the Longines Global Champions Tour Championship title. Saïd’s closest rival, Germany’s Christian Ahlmann, missed out on the jump-off after collecting four faults in the opening round aboard Untouched LB.
With Ahlmann unable to add to his points tally, Saïd capitalised on the opportunity to extend his Championship lead to 17 points, moving to 241 points overall with just two stages remaining.
Speaking after his victory, Saïd praised his horse and the enthusiastic Roman crowd.
“It is amazing to ride here in front of this Italian crowd. They always egg you on, and it makes you want to do more,” he said.
Reflecting on his winning jump-off strategy, he added:
“He has a big stride and a lot of scope, so I had to use that to my advantage today. He is maybe not the most agile horse, but he is really game, and it worked out.”
With the Championship heading towards its decisive stages, Saïd has given himself an excellent opportunity to secure the coveted 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour title.
Mikey Pender and Bertram Allen celebrate LGCT team success
There was further reason to celebrate for Red Mills, with Mikey Pender and Bertram Allen featuring in the winning Global Champions League team in Rome.
The Global Champions League (GCL) brings together elite international riders in a high-pressure team format, where consistency, precision and teamwork are essential. The Rome competition once again demonstrated the importance of producing clear rounds when the stakes are highest.
Pender and Allen’s involvement in the winning team added another highlight to an impressive weekend for RED MILLS riders, complementing Saïd’s individual Grand Prix triumph.
Pieter Devos secures his LGCT Super Grand Prix place
Pieter Devos also had plenty to celebrate after finishing second in the Grand Prix of Rome, with the result securing his qualification for the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix.
Riding his homebred mare Casual DV Z, Devos delivered an impressive clear round in the jump-off, stopping the clock at 35.88 seconds.
Reflecting on achieving his season-long goal, he said:
“It’s fantastic. It has been the goal all year, and I have really committed to the LGCT to make sure I got that ticket. I am so happy now that I have it in the pocket.”
His performance was another highlight of a fiercely competitive afternoon of five-star show jumping in Rome.
LGCT Championship standings after Rome
Following the Grand Prix, Saïd leads the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship with 241 points, holding a 17-point advantage over Ahlmann.
The top five standings after Rome are:
- Abdel Saïd (Belgium) – 241 points
- Christian Ahlmann (Germany) – 224 points
- Katrin Eckermann (Germany) – 199 points
- Denis Lynch (Ireland) – 196.5 points
- Edwina Tops-Alexander (Australia) – 192 points
With two stages remaining, the Championship is still to be decided, and every round will be crucial as the leading contenders battle for the 2026 title.
Cairo next as the race for the LGCT title intensifies
The Longines Global Champions Tour now heads to Cairo, Egypt, from 22–24 October, where the iconic Pyramids of Giza will provide the backdrop for the penultimate stage of the 2026 Championship.
Connolly’s RED MILLS and are sister brands Foran Equine and Carr & Day & Martin are proud to be the Nutrition and Care partners for the LGCT Cairo, Rabat and Riyadh, providing feed, supplements and care products as well are the support of our expert team, ensuring the horses receive the highest level of nutrition and care.
Saïd will arrive in Egypt with valuable momentum and a 17-point advantage, while Ahlmann and the chasing pack will be determined to close the gap before the season finale in Rabat.
With a €1 million Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Cairo awaiting the world’s best riders, the stakes are set to rise even further as the race for the Championship crown intensifies.
For RED MILLS, Rome was a weekend to remember, with Abdel Saïd claiming a major individual victory and extending his Championship lead, while Mikey Pender and Bertram Allen featured in the winning GCL team.
As the 2026 season approaches its climax, RED MILLS riders will look to carry that momentum into the remaining stages of the Longines Global Champions Tour.
