Text © World of Showjumping

As last to go in a winning round of ten horse-and-rider combinations, it was France’s Nina Mallevaey and the 10-year-old mare My Clementine (O.B.O.S. Quality x Kashmir van Schuttershof) that snatched the win in Saturday’s CSIO5* 1.55m Allianz-Prize at CHIO Aachen 2025. 

With the exact number of ten clears over Frank Rothenberger’s first round-track of thirteen fences and sixteen efforts, it got just right for the winning round. As second to go against the clock, it was McLain Ward (USA) who brought the tempo up and put the pressure on those to come with a clear round in 53.02 seconds aboard High Star Hero (Zazu x Darco). However, two riders later Shane Sweetnam (IRL) found another gear as he blazed around the track with Coriaan van Klapscheut Z (Comme Il Faut 5 x Lord Z) to cross the finish line in 51.25 seconds. 

It was not until the very last pair in the ring at Soers that Sweetnam’s time would get challenged, by the world’s leading U25 rider who has been on fire over the last three months to rocket up the rankings. Lightning-fast over the shortened track with her agile and speedy chestnut mare, Mallevaey was cheered and whistled on by the crowds down the last line and flying over the final oxer she crossed the timers in 50.59 seconds to snatch the win from Sweetnam. Ward had to settle for third, while Rene Dittmer (GER) was best for the host nation with Cody 139 (Casall x Quidam de Revel) when finishing fourth, followed by Georgia Tame (GBR) in fifth with Be Golden (Golden Hawk x Namelus R). 

“I am more than happy, just to be here in Aachen is already a dream, and to win is even more special,” Nina Mallevaey said after her victory. “I have a very good horse in My Clementine, and I am so grateful to have the ride on her. It was a very good position to go last, I could see the other rounds. I know Clementine is really fast, so I tried to go as fast as I could, and she was just perfect. I think I was not so fast in the beginning, and then I thought I need to go faster. My Clementine is so careful and so smart, she did everything right – I am really happy.”

“Just the show here in Aachen is amazing, with the arena and the best riders,” she continued. “I have been dreaming of this. I have been watching this show for years, and to be part of this now is a dream come true. I really like the atmosphere; I like it when you can feel a bit of pressure, it makes me want to be even better – here, it is amazing.”

“I knew with Nina coming, that she has a very fast horse that has won a lot of classes – it’s an Irish horse as well, so that makes it a little bit easier to take,” the second placed Shane Sweetnam smiled. “But I am really happy with my horse, he is still a bit green at this level, and this week he has learned so much. This is the pinnacle of the sport, for him to go and perform like that today makes me feel confident about his future. For his experience level, I probably did the right thing at the right time; I think his day will come.”

Third placed McLain Ward was pleased as well. “I am very proud of my horses this week, everyone has been jumping phenomenal,” the current world number five said. “I added a stride to the green double, and I didn’t get great to the third fence, which cost me time. But, I think to catch Nina today even if I did everything right would have been difficult, so hats off to her.”