Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone with an absolute smashing performance in Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix

On Friday evening, 22 November, the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix, was held in Riyadh. The apotheosis of the season. In this prestigious competition, the 15 winners of a Grix Prix earlier this season entered the ring to decide who was now the very best and who could take home the absolute top prize of 2024. Gilles Thomas and his 10-year-old (!) Ermitage Kalone stayed clear for the two rounds. In the second round, Gilles jumped from provisional fourth place to a fantastic second place. Gilles Thomas: ‘Ermitage Kalone jumped great in the first round, although he was a bit fresh. However, I didn't mind that, because with two rounds ahead, it was good that he had energy. As the first clear combination out of the first round, I wanted to put some pressure on the others straight away, and it worked out well. You don't get the chance to ride a Super Grand Prix every year, so I really wanted to give it my all. From the moment I qualified in Shanghai, I already had a plan in my head: Luna I would use for the team competition and Ermitage Kalone I would get ready for the Super Grand Prix. After the Olympics, he had a long break, and his first competition after that was in Rabat. Then I felt he still lacked some rhythm, so we also added Lyon to our programme. This event was my second big goal after the Games, and it feels incredible to put up such a performance.’