As the much-anticipated curtain raiser, all eyes were on the sprawling grass arena, where a world-class field of 54 riders took centre stage against the vibrant backdrop of Mexico City. Set within the heart of Chapultepec Park, the venue delivered its signature atmosphere from the outset - packed grandstands, electric energy and a crowd that knows and loves the sport.
At the top of the leaderboard, it was Belgium’s Jérôme Guéry who laid down an early marker for the week, storming to victory with Careca Ls Elite in a time of 29.18 seconds - a benchmark that ultimately proved untouchable.
Speaking after his win, Guéry reflected on a flying start to the week, “Its always fantastic to start the show with a win! Mexico is one of our favourite events of the year, the horses are feeling great and this arena is incredible!”
He added, “It was super competitive all the way through the class, and I wasn't sure we could hold onto the top place, particularly with Cian being last to go!!”
Designed by Anderson Lima, the course made full use of the expansive grass arena, striking a careful balance between invitation and intensity. His flowing track encouraged bold riding and fast turns, creating a class that was relentlessly competitive from start to finish, with riders pushing the limits from the very first round.
Guéry’s advantage held firm under immense pressure, with Ireland’s Cian O’Connor delivering a thrilling final round aboard 10-year-old Gengis Kann de Londe. Last to go, he stopped the clock at 29.92 seconds - just short of the leading time in a dramatic finish that had the crowd on edge.
Among the podium contenders, Jordan Coyle on KING KANNAN GP in third place and Derin Demirsoy with Que Cera van't Ruytershof finishing in fourth, delivered strong performances to stay within striking distance, while Simon Delestre and Olga van de Kruishoeve - a previous winner of this class - rounded out the top placings in 30.82 seconds.
In a testament to the depth of talent assembled for Stage 2 of the 2026 championship, just 2.35 seconds separated the top nine finishing horse and rider combinations, underlining the fierce level of competition already on display.
Beyond the sport, the class carried added significance as part of the Qatar–Mexico 2026 Year of Culture, a collaboration that continues to deepen the connection between elite equestrian competition and global cultural exchange. The initiative, expanded by the Longines Global Champions Tour across Mexico City, Cairo and Rabat, highlights the role of sport as a bridge between nations - celebrating heritage, creativity and shared values on a truly international stage.
Highlighting the deeper cultural significance of the partnership, His Excellency Mohammed Al Kuwari, Advisor on Latin America for Years of Culture, emphasised the role of sport in connecting nations: "Today reminds us that sport speaks a universal language, bringing people together in a shared spirit of tradition. With its deep heritage and universal appeal, equestrian sport offers a powerful platform for people-to-people connection and reflects the values of mutual respect at the heart of our Year of Culture partnership with Mexico this year."
