Press release from Jumping Gassin International, edited by World of Showjumping

On Friday at the Polo Club de Saint-Tropez - Haras de Gassin in France, where the fourth and last qualifier of the season in the Longines League of Nations™ takes place this weekend, forty-nine horse-and-rider combinations came forward for the CSIO5* 1.60m Grand Prix presented by Groupe Nice Matin. The opening track for the competition over two rounds, designed by French course designer Grégory Bodo, featured 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts, with the closing stages – notably the triple combination at fence 13 set against the warm-up arena – proving particularly testing. In the end, nine riders managed to unlock the course and earn their ticket to the second round, reserved for the top twelve.

Sweden’s Wilma Hellström with her loyal Cicci BJN (Ci Ci Senjor ASK x Tornesch), America’s Laura Kraut with Bisquetta (Bisquet Balou C x Takashi van Berkenbroek), and France’s Jeanne Sadran riding the brilliant Dexter de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago x Diamant de Semilly), all delivered flawless opening clears. They were joined by Nina Mallevaey (FRA) on Destine To Be (Diamant de Semilly x Gardilot) and Erika Lickhammer-Van Helmond (SWE) with I. Comme Tessa VHL (Comme Il Faut x Casall), as well as Karl Cook (USA) and his extraordinary Caracole de La Roque (Zandor x Kannan), Stephan de Freitas Barcha (BRA) on Dinozo Imperio Egipcio (Diamant de Semilly x Urbain du Monnai), Simon Delestre (FRA) on Golden Boy DK (Diamant de Semilly x Cash) and Alain Jufer aboard Dante MM (Diarado x Luxius).

Riders returned in reverse order for the second round, with Karl Cook – trained by French legend Eric Navet – holding the advantage of going last after recording the fastest time in round one. Before him, Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha had snatched the lead in 41.59 seconds, edging world no. 12 Laura Kraut (41.76). But Cook relied on the agility and scope of his bay mare to stop the clock at 41.06, claiming his third CSIO5* Grand Prix victory after Rotterdam (NED), third leg of the Longines League of Nations™, and Falsterbo (SWE). De Freitas Barcha had to settle for second, while Kraut completed the podium in third, followed by Sadran in fourth and Hellström in fifth.

“Our horses arrived later than expected at the show, so there was a little uncertainty about their condition. Apparently Caracole wasn’t bothered and seemed delighted to be back in France! Winning is always special, but going last in the jump-off makes it even sweeter. The facilities are incredible, the arena and warm-up are spacious, which we really appreciate. The setting and the atmosphere also help us feel at our best,” said the day’s winner.

Earlier in the afternoon, Olivier Perreau, riding Himalaya du Temple (Toulon x Radieux), secured France’s first win of the week in the 1.50m against the clock class presented by Région Sud. The Paris 2024 Olympic team bronze medallist posted the fastest clear in 66.47 seconds. “I’m very happy with this victory. My mare is only eight years old, and I believe she has a great future ahead. Competing here is a real pleasure; everything is designed to make us feel at home,” he commented. Perreau finished ahead of Brazil’s Pedro Veniss with Nimrod de Muze Imperio Egipcio (Nabab de Reve x Tinka’s Boy) in second in 66.80 and fellow French rider Mégane Moissonnier on Kandoo Z (Kannan x Level Z) in third in 68.27.