Press release from Rolex Series, edited by World of Showjumping

Under the radiant Breton sun and in front of a sold-out crowd, the CSI5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard 2025 delivered an afternoon of elite sport and unforgettable moments at the Jumping International de Dinard – a Rolex Series event. 

The legendary Val Porée arena was buzzing with energy as 38 of the world’s best horses and riders took on the 1.60m course, designed by Jean-François Morand (FRA). Marc Dilasser (FRA) and Arioto du Gevres (Diamant de Semilly x Qualisco III) were the first to deliver a clear, opening the door to a potential jump-off. Nicolas Delmotte (FRA), 2017 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard winner, came heartbreakingly close — finishing clear on the jumps, but just 0.20s over the time allowed he recorded one time penalty.

It wasn’t until José Antonio Chedraui Prom (MEX) and Haraminka P (Verdi TN x Voltaire) as pair no. 18 out that the crowd saw a second clear — and the jump-off was on. Nina Mallevaey (FRA) followed with a gutsy clear on Dynastie de Beaufour (Diamant de Semilly x Cassini II), sending the home fans into celebration.

Max Kühner (AUT), Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard winner in 2023, secured his jump-off spot with EIC Daloubet (Diamant de Semilly x Baloubet du Rouet), and he was joined by Ignacio Maurin (ARG) and Conchado (Conthargos x Chacco-Blue), Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) and Steely Dan (Hardrock Z x Cardento),  Harrie Smolders (NED) and Mr. Tac (Non Stop x Toulon), as well as Aaron Vale (USA) and Carissimo 25 (Cascadello x Clinton).

In the jump-off, Marc Dilasser and Arioto du Gevres set the tone with a double clear in 41.54, putting the pressure on the remaining contenders. José Antonio Chedraui Prom and Haraminka P also went double clear, though slower in 43.49s.

Then came a moment of brilliance from Nina Mallevaey, who rode a fast round on Dynastie de Beaufour — despite losing a stirrup near the end — to stop the clock in 40.64 and take the lead.

Henrik von Eckermann and Steely delivered a stylish round in 41.78, slotting just behind Dilasser, but it was Harrie Smolders and Mr. Tac who really upped the tempo, taking the lead with 40.51. And then… the final pair. Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 blazed through the course with a fearless ride and took the win in a blazing 38.77 seconds — leaving Smolders to second, Mallevaey to third, Dilasser to fourth and von Eckermann to fifth.

Back in Europe after a short stint in the U.S., Vale didn’t expect such a fairytale ending: “I competed in America, on footing very similar to Dinard’s, which helped a lot," he said. "I hadn’t shown Carissimo 25 for a few weeks, but our groom did an incredible job keeping him in top shape.”

“You never know until the last round," he continued. "I watched Nina — she’s fast and wins everything. Then Harrie took the lead, but I felt I had a shot. I just had to stay clear and go full throttle. And it worked. This place is magic. The atmosphere, the people, the setting — it’s just unreal. It feels like a stadium built for horses and show jumping. The slope of the arena, the way the crowd gets involved… it gives you adrenaline before you even ride.”