Press release from Chantilly Classic, edited by World of Showjumping

The 25-year-old Alessandra Volpi (USA) and Qannando B&V (Kannan x My Way B) claimed the victory in the main class of the day at Chantilly Classic 2025; the CSI4* 1.50m Prix du Département de l’Oise. Riding the phenomenal Qannando B & V, a striking dark bay stallion by the great Kannan, Volpi didn’t hesitate to launch herself at full speed in the jump-off.

On this second day of competition in Chantilly, the horses appeared more settled and confident amid the majestic surroundings of the Grandes Écuries. The footing, too, seemed even springier than the day before. Gregory Bodo’s course featured thirteen obstacles and sixteen jumping efforts, including a triple combination. The result: sixteen clears for a seven-fence jump-off including one double.

For a while, the class looked like it might fizzle out: First to go, Belgium’s Rik Hemeryck and Inoui du Seigneur (Jenson van’T Meulenhof x Aganix du Seigneur) stopped the clock in 43.10 seconds, a time no one could beat without risking a rail. Later, came Volpi, bold and relaxed, with a horse that seems both fearless and allergic to poles. “During the course walk, I told my coach Markus Beerbaum that I liked the jump-off,” Volpi said. “It really suited Qannando; he loves big open arenas. I trusted his strengths and took a few chances… and he was right there with me.”

At just nine, Qannando is still young at this level. “My goal? Everything! He’s very special,” Volpi said. “I always try to bring my horses to the top, and I truly believe I’ll get there with him. He’s stepped up this year, and I know we’re on the right path.”

This is Volpi’s second time in Chantilly: “Last year, I already thought this place was stunning. The organisers do a great job, and it just feels great to jump here. The footing has clearly improved since last year.”

Luxembourg’s Odile Gierech claimed second place at the end of the class with Quentao JW van de Moerhoeve (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Diamant de Semilly), just edging out Hemeryck in third.

For the past two years, Volpi has split her time between Florida - where she winters in Wellington for the WEF - and Thedinghausen, Germany, where she trains with Meredith and Markus Beerbaum. Markus sees real potential in her: “I’m convinced she’ll go far," he said. "We’ve made real progress together. When she came to us, she was ranked beyond 350th in the world. Now she’s 67th. She has an outstanding string of horses, and that’s key in our sport. She’s not relying on just one horse. They’re all improving, and so is she. Our aim is to see her represent the U.S. in major championships. It’s a realistic goal. She’s already proved herself, like in the League of Nations in Rotterdam and in the World Cup Final in Basel with Gipsy Love. She’s shown she has the level, now she just needs to consolidate her experience. And Qannando, even at nine, already has what it takes to be a championship horse. So yes, we’re very optimistic about the future.”