"I was the first to go in the jump-off, but I think with this horse, it is kind of an advantage to me," Guerdat said after his win. "I just tried to do what's best for him."

“It was a great reward for the entire team,” Guerdat concluded, explaining that he is still on the road back to full fitness after undergoing two back surgeries last year.

Second place went to Simon Delestre (FRA) and the 10-year old Gatsby du Tillard (President x Diamant de Semilly). “It’s his first Grand Prix so I am really proud of him,” he said. “I got an amazing feeling from the horse.”

“He’s a fast horse, but I didn’t really know how much I could ask,” Simon Delestre said about up-and-coming talent Gatsby du Tillard, here pictured with his groom Margaux Guilluy.

Another rider enjoying a strong weekend in Leipzig was Gerrit Nieberg (GER), who finished second the previous evening before adding a third-place result in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ with Ping Pong van de Lentamel (Emerald van't Ruytershof x Toulon).

"The big goal is Aachen", Nieberg answered when asked about his plans for the upcoming season, igniting the hope that we might see the colorful gelding at the World Championships.

The honour of opening the class went to Paula de Boer-Schwarz (GER) and 12-year old My Miss Marpel OLD (Mylord Carthago x Contender), here seen with her horse heading towards fence one.

The leg in Leipzig marked the World Cup debut for de Boer, and while she did not secure a place in the jump-off...

... she left the course smiling!

The first clear round came early, with Guerdat securing his place in the jump-off already as the fifth starter in the class.

Malin Baryard-Johnsson (SWE) and the remarkable 18-year old H&M Indiana (Kashmir van Schuttershof x Animo's Hallo) had one pole down along the way, but thanks to being the fastest combination in the first round, they still secured 13th place.

A quiet moment before the action: Max Kühner (AUT) and Count on me 19 (Cascadello x Cornado NRW) about to enter the ring, where they delivered a clear round.

A sea of support in the stands!

Michael Jung (GER) and Fischerheros Z (Hotspot x Odermus) also made their way to the jump-off, much to the excitement of the German audience.

Front leg action: While Jordy Van Massenhove's (BEL) Verdiamo Z (Verdi TN x Andiamo Z) didn't make it to the second round, he had no problem reaching over the back pole.

Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen (NOR) is on a hot streak, and left Leipzig 2nd on the overall standings after a strong performance with Colonello (Colestus x Cassini).

A good day for the home heroes: Philipp Schulze Topphoff (GER) and Carla NRW (Comme Il Faut x Potsdam) were one of four German pairs to qualify for the jump-off.

Frederic Vernaet (BEL) had to watch the jump-off from the sidelines but his ride Orak d'Hamwyck T&L (Tobago Z x Toulon) might have shown the most eye-catching technique.

Fiesty: Bryan Balsiger's (SUI) C-Mistral (C-Mocca d'Or x Colestus) showed excellent form.

Cuddles for Albführen's Iashin Sitte, who went first in the jump-off and set a standard no one could match. Here pictured with his groom Sara Repo.

Max Kühner, going second in the ring for the jump-off, gave it his all yet saw two poles fall with Count on me 19, eventually placing 11th.

Focus: Hungarian rider Tamás Mráz, who eventually finished 10th with Viva Cent (Vivant x Centadel) keeping an eye on the competition.

Sprinting for the finish line: Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen and Colonello ended 4th, rounding off a remarkable weekend for the pair.

Mario Stevens (GER) and Starissa FRH (Stakkato Gold x Quidam's Rubin) went second to last in the jump-off, and ended in 5th place as well as collecting valuable points for the overall standing.

Simon Delestre, Gatsby du Tillard and Margaux Guilluy leaving the ring after a brilliant round in the jump-off, much to the joy of the crowd.

All smiles for Simon Delestre, who's now 7th on the overall WEL standings...

...and for Steve Guerdat as well!

The magic of the audience capped off an unforgettable weekend in Leipzig.