As last to go in a jump-off of eight, Germany’s Daniel Deusser and Stephex Stables' 11-year-old stallion Otello de Guldenboom (Tobago Z x Caretino) snatched the win in Sunday’s CSIO5* 1.60m Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, which concluded the 2025-edition of Jumping International de La Baule – one of seven shows part of the Rolex Series. Rene Lopez Lizarazo (COL) and Londina (London x Chacco-Blue) finished second, while McLain Ward (USA) and Imperial HBF (Glasgow vh Merelsnest x Original VDL) completed the podium in third.
Here we look back at this action-packed Grand Prix, which concluded one of our absolute favourite shows in the international showjumping calendar – merci Jumping International de La Baule, you get an XXXL photo special just because there is no one like you!
All photos © Jenny Abrahamsson for World of Showjumping. No screenshots or 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.
World no. one Kent Farrington came to La Baule to defend his title from last year's Rolex Grand Prix, but had to see two rails fall this time around.
Two legends discussing the course: Steve Guerdat and Rodrigo Pessoa.
McLain Ward in full focus.
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How many French riders can you fit in one frame?
Some might argue he's the best course designer in the world. We would not disagree. Grégory Bodo built magnificent courses in La Baule!
The Grand Prix got off to an action-filled start. After crossing the finish line, Rene Dittmer parted ways with his mare Corsica X but took it all with a smile.
Gregory Wathelet and Bond Jamesbond de Hay galloping in front of a full François André Stadium.
Pedro Veniss and Nimrod de Muze Imperio Egipcio posted the first clear round and nearly got a standing ovation from the incredible La Baule-crowd for a stunt worthy of Mission Impossible when miraculously clearing the triple combination after having to do some serious stretching to get out over the oxer at no. 13c.
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Full celebrations in the Brazilian camp.
Smiling stuntmen.
Attitude of gratitude: Federico Fernandez thanks Romeo.
Henrik von Eckermann was very happy after posting the second clear round of the Grand Prix aboard Minute Man.
That face says it all. Peder Fredricson and Alcapone des Carmille got in trouble on the vertical at no. 10, adding four faults to their score.
Scott Brash's Hello Folie is one of our latest obsessions after La Baule. The charming and determined chestnut mare jumped a clear round in the Grand Prix.
Just a little snack for this gorgeous lady.
McLain Ward delivered one of his signature rounds, making the course look easy aboard Imperial HBF.
Riccardo Pisani was the fifth to go clear, and did it beautifully, riding the lovely Chatolinue PS.
Richard Vogel and the only 9-year-old Levi Noesar made the tricky triple combination look like a simple gymnastic.
Just because, Major Tom...
Rene Lopez Lizarazo thanks Londina after a clear round.
It's not always things go as you wish for. Steve Guerdat retired after Dynamix de Belheme clipped three rails.
Tornado VS thundered through the course with Armando Trapote, and came very close to a clear round. Unfortunately, they clipped the front pole on the very last oxer.
Many horses took a dislike to this vertical at no. 10, but not Bertram Allen's Qonquest de Rigo who looks like a real super-star in the making.
Daniel Deusser and Otello de Guldenboom were the last pair to post a clear round, making it a jump-off of eight.
Crowd-favourite Ermitage Kalone had to see two rails fall to the ground in the Grand Prix.
A full house! Entry is free at the François André Stadium, and this ladies and gentlemen, is without any doubt the best crowd in the world!
As pathfinders in the jump-off, Pedro Veniss and Nimrod de Muze Imperio Egipcio put pressure on those to come with a clear round in 39.77 seconds – however, it did not look impossible to improve the time.
Next in the ring, Henrik von Eckermann had to see two poles fall to the ground – dropping down on the result list.
Folie de Nantuel returned to her birth-country France for the weekend, under her new name Hello Folie.
Scott Brash was well up on the clock, but came a bit deep on the third last oxer with Folie clipping the front rail – putting them on four faults in 40.91 seconds. Eventually, it was good enough for 5th.
McLain Ward was next in the ring, and the American style icon put all his experience to good use in his relatively new partnership with Imperial HBF to bring the time down to 39.17 seconds – leaving strides out already from the first fence, while making it look effortless
As next to go, Riccardo Pisani had to see the back rail on the a-element of the double fall to the ground slotting in behind Brash in 41.29 seconds.
Richard Vogel copied Ward’s plan, but unfortunately clipped two rails along the way on his young gelding that holds great promise for the future.
It went wild at the François André Stadium when the super popular French-based Colombian Rene Lopez Lizarazo managed to better the time to beat to 38.36 seconds.
Daniel Deusser entering the ring...
...Daniel Deusser leaving the ring.
Stephan Conter was ringside and could congratulate Daniel Deusser on another big win, this time aboard Otello de Guldenboom.
No sore number twos around here!
A big hug from Stephan Conter for Daniel Deusser.
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Daniel Deusser, Rene Lopez Lizarazo and Stephan Conter.
It's not often we see Daniel Deusser this happy!
Who would not want a smooch from this handsome guy?
A round of applause for Deusser from Ward.
The top three and Rosie.
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Look at that smile!
The usual champagne silliness!
Congratulations to Daniel, Otello and the whole Stephex team!
Then