Marking the 10th edition of the Longines Deauville Classic, the CSI4* feature class crowned its first-ever World Top 10 winner, thrilling a packed crowd in Normandy.

A Triumphant Comeback

After a well-deserved break following his indoor season victory in Basel, the 13-year-old Selle Français gelding (Jarnac) was brought back into competition gradually. Following a warm-up national event in Deauville and a fast four-fault jump-off in Saint-Lô last week, Donatello proved he is officially back at the top of his game.

"After the indoor season, I gave Donatello a rest," Épaillard explained. "When I tried to bring him back initially, I didn’t find him at his absolute best, so I preferred to wait. Coming back here recently, I felt that spark again—I understood he really wanted to compete. Today's course was very well judged with options in the jump-off that suited every type of horse."

Unstoppable in the Jump-Off

Setting off second in the jump-off, world number nine Épaillard laid down an unbeatable target. Crossing the timers in a blistering 42.34 seconds, the pair tight-turned their way to the top spot, leaving the rest of the field chasing shadows.

Brazil’s João Victor Castro Aguiar Gomes De Lima put up a valiant effort aboard the high-scoped stallion Cashpaid J&F (Casall). Runners-up in Deauville just a year ago, the pair once again claimed second place, stopping the clock in 43.64 seconds—just 1.30 seconds off Épaillard’s pace.

Rounding out the podium was local favorite and former Olympic Team Champion Kevin Staut riding Vida Loca (Vigo d'Arsouilles). Stopping the clock in 43.68 seconds, Staut missed out on the runner-up spot by a mere four-hundredths of a second.

The result marks an important bounce-back for Staut and the 10-year-old mare after a tricky outing in Dinard, providing a major confidence boost as Staut prepares to head to the World Championships in Aachen as France’s reserve rider.

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