As the fourth Rolex Series event of the 2026-season, the Rolex Falsterbo Grand Prix presented by Agria attracted 50 of the sport's best horse-and-rider combinations this past Sunday – all hoping to add this prestigious title to their résumé.
Ridden over two rounds against the clock, the demanding first-round track caught out many of the world's biggest names, leaving only the strongest combinations to return for the deciding round. From there, the pace increased with almost every rider. Just when it seemed impossible to go faster, the final rider of the day found another gear.
Ireland's Shane Sweetnam claimed the victory with James Kann Cruz (Kannan x Cruising), producing the fastest faultless second-round performance. Germany's Richard Vogel and Cloudio (Casall x Cassini I) finished second, while Switzerland's Steve Guerdat completed the podium in third with Albführen's Iashin Sitte (Bamako de Muze x Tinka's Boy).
In this photo special, we look back at a Grand Prix where the outcome remained uncertain until the very last rider—a fitting conclusion to another memorable week in Falsterbo.
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No reproduction of any of the content in this article will be accepted without a written permission, all rights reserved © World of Showjumping.com. If copyright violations occur, a penalty fee will apply.
Shane Sweetnam carefully taking in the 14-obstacle course designed by Frank Rothenberger.
The first of the total 50 pairs to take on the course was Mexico's Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. and Huberth B (Verdi TN x Mr Blue)...
... who immediately set the standard with a faultless round.
The crowd held its breath as Martin Fuchs, already the Falsterbo Derby winner and Nations Cup champion with Switzerland, took on the Grand Prix course with Conner Jei.
... yet, it took his Swiss teammate Steve Guerdat and Albführen's Iashin Sitte (Bamako de Muze x Tinka's Boy) to give the crowd what they were longing for.
Entering as the 9th starter in the class, Guerdat and Iashin Sitte delivered the second clear round and secured a spot in the second round.
The parade of the Swiss success wasn't over just yet. Just a couple of minutes later, Gaëtan Joliat and Chelsea Z (Chellano Alpha Z x Cicero Z Van Paemel) secured a clear of their own.
A moment of pure appreciaton: Spain's Alberto Marquez Galobardes thanking his mare Kelly (Kannan x Baloubet du Rouet) after gaining their spot in the second round.
Fresh from a 3rd place in Friday's Nations Cup, USA's Charlotte Jacobs and Playboy Jt Z (Presley Boy x Plot Blue) proved they had more in storage by securing their own ticket to the jump-off.
A performance that did not go underappreciated.
Picture perfect: Ben Maher's Point Break (Action-Breaker x Balou du Rouet) ready to tackle the challenging course.
... and tackle it he did indeed, making sure that also Great Britain would be represented going into round two.
Mission accomplished. Mexico's Nicolas Pizarro celebrates after Pia Contra (Conthargos x Chacco-Blue) delivered the clear that secured their jump-off spot.
Nayel Nassar and ESI Ali (Stakkato Gold x Tygo) added another clear to an increasingly competitive first round.
No Swedish pairs advanced to round two, but there was still plenty to be proud of. Stephanie Holmén thanks her partner Mitanni (Karmel van de Watering x Stakkato) after a wholehearted effort in front of their home crowd.
Jordan Coyle and Chaccolino (Chacco-Blue x Heartbreaker) kept Ireland’s hopes moving forward, delivering a polished round to earn their place in round two.
A moment that called for celebration!
France's Nicolas Sers and Eleven de Riverland (Kannan x Diamant de Semilly) also left all the poles in the cups.
Following Sers' performance, the audience had to wait another 10 horse-and-rider combinations for the next clear round to come around.
... but who better to do that, than Richard Vogel and Cloudio (Casall x Cassini I)?
As the class went on, it seemed that the second round would go on without a Scandinavian contender. Denmark's Andreas Schou and Napoli Vh Nederassenthof (President x Quasimodo Z) set out to change that.
... and change it they did, knocking in the 12th clear of the class.
Still, the jump-off could fit quite a few more.
The remaining spots were reserved for Ireland: Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruise (Kannan x Cruising) produced a fast clear, giving them the chance to go last in the second round to follow.
Sweetnam's teammate Trevor Breen also threw a clear round into the mix aboard Kannoon Blue (Chacoon Blue x Kannan).
A total of 14 pairs made it to the second round, their time in round one determining the starting order. In round two, Luis Alejandro Plascencia O. delivered another solid clear round in 44.98 seconds, which in the end would earn them a 7th place in the class.
Nicolas Pizarro and Pia Contra, also for Mexico, went second in the ring but opted to retire along the way.
A rail at fence two saw Alberto Márquez Galobardes and Kelly finish 12th in 47.80 seconds.
Kent Farrington fell just short of qualifying for the second round, but quickly switched roles from competitor to coach as he followed student Charlotte Jacobs with full focus.
Charlotte Jacobs and Playboy Jt Z came out flying, leaving out a stride in both the opening and closing lines to clock an incredible 40.10 seconds. However, one costly rail would place them 8th in the final standings.
With Jacobs having set the standard for pace, Ben Maher on Point Break set out to combine speed with a clear. Stopping the clock at 40.21 seconds - just behind Jacobs' time - their flawless round sent the two straight into the lead.
Point Break receiving a well-earned treat leaving the ring.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Falsterbo-arch, Nayel Nassar and ESI Ali left the ring after a fast round of four penalties, placing them 9th in the class.
Denmark's Andreas Schou waiting to shoot his shot in the ring with Napoli Vh Nederassenthof.
With an eye for sharp turns and a stride for two, Schou and Napoli used exactly that to their advantage, stopping the clock at 39.98 and putting their names at the top of the leaderboard.
... much celebrated from Team Denmark!
However, Schou's time in front was short-lived as Steve Guerdat and Albführen's Iashin Sitte took over the lead.
Nicolas Sers seemed very happy leaving the ring, with a clear round and what would ultimately be a strong 6th place in the class.
Following Sers into the ring was the current world number two, Richard Vogel with Cloudio.
With razor-sharp turns, Vogel managed to shave 0.05 seconds off the remarkable time already set by Guerdat.
Straight in the arms of his team, Vogel showed what it's all about as he left the ring leading the class.
A beautiful reminder that victories are never won alone.
Vogel's time seemed impossible to beat, but that did not stop the last pair of the afternoon – Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz for Ireland – from trying.
The pair left nothing to chance, leaving the audience at the edge of their seats.
Despite a slight slip through the rollback, Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz flew through the finish line at 37.68 seconds, almost a second faster than Vogel and straight to victory.
With that, the Falsterbo Rolex Grand Prix presented by Agria had it all, including tension and thrill to the very end.
Impeccable: James Kann Cruz in his winning outfit.
... and a ribbon marked with the Swedish colors.
Shane Sweetnam and James Kann Cruz, dressed in Rolex-green under the Falsterbo sun.
The hard work of the grooms also didn't go unnoticed. Guerdat's groom Emma Uusi-Simola, Vogel's groom Geraldine Badan and Sweetnam's groom Maria Israelsson all took part in the prize giving.
What a week, what a show. Thank you, Falsterbo – until next year!
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