Press release from Chantilly Classic, edited by World of Showjumping

Saturday's CSI4* 1.45m Winning Round presented by Laiterie de Montaigu at the Chantilly Classic presented by Al Shira’aa 2026 rewarded a rider with an impressive record on Chantilly’s iconic grass arena. Riding Give Me One Reason DK (Cera d’Ick x Diamant de Semilly), Marie Demonte (FRA) headed an all-French podium ahead of Alix Ragot on If de Mars (Baloubet du Rouet x Lamm de Fetan) and Théo Ogorzaly aboard Goya Batilly (Montender x L’Arc de Triomphe).

The opening round was a substantial test, featuring thirteen obstacles, sixteen jumping efforts and several technical challenges. Yet twenty-three horse-and-rider combinations jumped clear, reflecting the quality of the field. Only the twelve fastest advanced to the shorter Winning Round, which was closer in spirit to a jump-off than a conventional second round and encouraged a more attacking approach.

Laura Kraut and Carquilaria PS (Caligula x Quilot) produced the first double clear, setting the early benchmark at 43.87 seconds. However, it lasted only moments. Next into the arena, Marie Demonte found exactly the right rhythm and lines with Give Me One Reason DK, taking 0.98 seconds off the American’s time. Their 42.89-second round would remain unbeaten.

“The plan was simply to let her approach the first fence quietly, without putting her under pressure or pushing her forward,” Demonte explained. “Once she landed after fence one, everything came naturally. I kept finding the forward distance in an even rhythm and never had to slow down. Someone might have been able to go faster, but for her, I think we optimised the round. I couldn’t have done much more.”

The French rider also remained committed to her own stride plan through the two related lines. “We had watched the Brazilian rider do eight strides with a horse covering a huge amount of ground. That wasn’t possible for us. Nine strides already suited our natural pace. I knew my stride patterns; we followed the plan and everything worked.”

Alix Ragot and If de Mars came closest in 43.69 seconds, while Théo Ogorzaly and Goya Batilly completed the all-French podium in 43.82. Kraut finished fourth, just five hundredths of a second outside the top three, with Alexa Ferrer (FRA) and Hastoria Bo Regard (Ultrachic du Temple x Urlevent du Bary) completing a top five dominated by the home riders.

For Demonte, who had already finished third in Chantilly’s CSI5* Grand Prix with Vega de La Roche in 2021, this latest success added another special memory to her history at the French venue. “I only have good memories of Chantilly. The mare is in excellent form and jumped a magnificent first round.”

The victory also marked an important milestone. Despite several wins at 1.50m and numerous top placings, this was Give Me One Reason DK’s first victory in a world-ranking class. “She had already won many Table A and two-phase classes, and we had finished second or third several times, but she had never won a ranking class. She has been in excellent form since returning to competition in Rome. We felt that a win was coming.”

Demonte now plans to develop the ten-year-old mare towards CSI3* Grands Prix while continuing to manage her carefully. “She also needs to enjoy herself from time to time. That is how she will have a long career in the sport. She has an exceptional mind. She is wonderful.”

Give Me One Reason DK joined Demonte’s stable at the end of her six-year-old season.  “We know each other very well now, and she keeps improving. When she was eight, I took a long time before moving her up to 1.45m. She jumped so high above the fences that I didn’t want to overuse her. Today, at 1.50m, I feel we have really mastered things. The aim now is to move towards 1.55m and make the most of everything she can do. She is a very special mare, full of blood and little quirks. But you get used to them,” Demonte smiled.

Beyond the spectacular setting, Demonte also praised the conditions provided for horses and riders. “It is wonderful, of course, and the setting is a dream. But everything that has been done for the horses also deserves recognition. The new warm-up areas are a major improvement. We have places where we can work the horses in the morning, the schedules are well adapted, and the teams regularly water the ground to keep the dust down. At a time when horse welfare is central to our sport, you can feel that everything has been carefully considered to protect the horses and allow us to work in the best possible conditions.”