Press release from Rolex Series Equestrian, edited by World of Showjumping

With Belgium celebrating a home podium, the Rolex Series signed off its 2025-season in unforgettable style at the seventh and last stage of the year. The Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi at the Brussels Stephex Masters 2025 will be remembered as a contest of courage and brilliance — and the moment France’s Nina Mallevaey etched her name in history, taking her first ever five-star Grand Prix victory aboard Dynastie de Beaufour.

Sunday’s CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix presented by Audi delivered one of the most dramatic finales in the history of the Rolex Series. 49 of the world’s finest horse-and-rider combinations took on a course of 14 obstacles and 17 efforts, carefully designed by Gregory Bodo (FRA) to test every ounce of scope, precision, and bravery. With a time allowed of just 83 seconds, the challenge promised no mercy — and it lived up to the expectation.

For what felt like an eternity, no rider could break the code of Bodo’s track. Faults kept coming, particularly at the Rolex triple — a true heartbreaker of the afternoon. The first round became a battle of resilience, with only the fastest four-fault riders keeping hopes alive for round two.

The breakthrough came at last with Great Britain’s Harry Charles aboard Sherlock (Bisquet Balou C x Malito de Reve). Riding with composure and confidence, the 25-year-old posted the first clear round in 80.68 seconds, triggering a roar of relief from the crowd. From that moment, the dam broke: Trevor Breen (IRL) on Highland President (Clinton x Kannan), Luciana Diniz (BRA) on Vertigo du Desert (Mylord Carthago x Robin Z) and the young French star Nina Mallevaey with Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini II) all delivered flawless rides, proving the course was conquerable.

The Belgian crowd finally had its hero when Gregory Wathelet (BEL) and Bond Jamesbond de Hay (Diamant de Semilly x Kannan) lit up the Grand Place Arena with a spectacular clear in 78.09, one of the fastest of the day. Switzerland’s Christian Ahlmann on Dourkhan Hero Z (Don’t Touch Tiji Hero x Zandor) and Mexico’s Andres Azcarraga aboard Contendros 2 (Contendro I x Drosselklang II) also added their names to the exclusive list. By the end of the round, just seven pair were clear, joined by the five fastest four-faulters, setting up a 12-combination showdown for the second round.

Petronella Andersson (SWE) and Olympke van’t Merelsnest (Vigo d’Arsouilles x Quick Star) opened the second round with a superb clear to set the standard. But mistakes followed quickly: Jason Smith (SUI) on Picobello van’t Roosakker (Kassander van’t Roosakker x Canabis Z), Steve Guerdat (SUI) on Dynamix de Belheme (Snaike de Blondel x Cornet Obolensky), Gilles Thomas (BEL) on Ermitage Kalone (Catoki x Kannan) and Ahlmann on Dourkhan Hero Z all faltered, leaving the door open for the remaining contenders.

Harry Charles and Sherlock, the pair that had broken the deadlock in round one, produced a double clear in 42.75 seconds to claim the lead. Mexico’s Azcarraga and Contendros 2 were also flawless and slotted into second. But then came Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour. Already a revelation throughout the week, the 25-year-old French Champion rode with speed and precision, attacking every turn. The crowd held its breath as she stopped the clock in 40.75 seconds — nearly two seconds faster than Charles — to seize the lead in spectacular fashion.

Belgian hopes rested on Grégory Wathelet, last to go with the entire arena behind him. Delivering a brilliant round on Bond Jamesbond de Hay, he crossed the finish in 41.71, good enough for second but just shy of Nina’s incredible time. With Mallevaey marking her first ever five-star win in Brussels, Wathelet took the runner-up spot while Charles completed the podium in third.