Text © World of Showjumping

France's Kevin Staut and the 15-year-old mare Visconti du Telman (Toulon x Dollar du Murier, bred by Marjorie & Francoise Sanguinetti) won Friday night's CSI5*-W 1.60m Longines Grand Prix of Basel at the 2024-edition of Longines CHI Classics Basel. 

With the only double clear in the Grand Prix, Staut secured the victory ahead of Brazil's Yuri Mansur and his 17-year-old QH Alfons Santo Antonio (Aromats x False Pass, bred by Rebala Stables Ltd) who had to settle for the runner-up spot after the fastest time in the jump-off between four horse-and-rider-combinations but on the expense of a rail down. 

Switzerland's Alain Jufer and Dante MM (Diarado x Luxius, bred by Volker Ruehne) shared the third place with Ireland's Denis Lynch and Cordial (Casall x Chicago Z, bred by Hans-Hermann Gempf) after both pairs clocked a time of 37.13 in the jump-off – as well as having a rail down each. The Swiss showed great form, with Adrian Schmid and Chicharito 11 (Casalito x Quo Vados, bred by Karl-Heinz Knudsen) finishing fifth with a single time penalty in round one. 

"I think to walk, I found it quite difficult," Kevin Staut said after his win about the first-round track set by France's Gregory Bodo. "There were only four clears in the end, so it was difficult enough. It was a good decision to have the time allowed a bit longer, however, you still had to rush a bit. Maybe the course designers did not imagine that the first line – from three to four with the oxer and the double – would cause so many mistakes, but anyway, I think they did a good job. When you see the level of sport here, I think all the riders agree that sometimes we prefer to not have so many clears."

"It is always easier when you only have a few pairs in the jump-off, because you know that even if you take a risk, you don't end up finishing too far back," Staut said about his thoughts ahead of the jump-off. "My mare really deserved this win after my unforgiveable mistake in Madrid where I missed the last fence. I am really happy for her." 

"I have been riding her for five years now," Staut continued about his winning mount Visconti du Telman. "She jumped many Nations Cups and the European Championships in Riesenbeck, and she has been really good now during the indoor season. She turned fifteen, but I feel like she is still very motivated and fighting for me. She is very nice to ride and technically, it is easier for me to approach difficult courses with her; I can afford the difficulties with her. She is super – but you cannot win a Grand Prix like this on a normal horse. She is very special to me."