The first round set a technical and selective test, with a tight time allowed of 70 seconds keeping the pressure high from start to finish. Those who managed to leave all the rails intact advanced to the decisive jump-off, where Epaillard immediately laid down the gauntlet. Partnered with the grey stallion Le Coultre de Muze (Presley Boy, breeder: A. de Koning), the Frenchman utilized tight rollbacks and an unrelenting gallop to stop the clock clear in 34.10 seconds, a benchmark none of his rivals could match.

Brazil’s Eduardo Menezes came closest to catching the French frontrunner. Aboard the 10-year-old KWPN gelding H5 Londontime (Hummertime), Menezes produced a remarkably fluid and forward round. Crossing the finish line fault-free in 34.73 seconds, he secured a well-deserved runner-up spot just over six-tenths of a second off the winning pace.

The battle for the remaining podium places was exceptionally tight, with third through fifth place separated by a mere twelve-hundredths of a second. Ultimately, it was Swedish veteran Peder Fredricson who claimed third place. Riding Alcapone des Carmille (Diamant de Semilly), Fredricson delivered a clean and efficient jump-off in 35.51 seconds.

Finishing just off the podium in fourth was Fredricson's compatriot, Henrik von Eckermann. The multi-medalist piloted his trusted 16-year-old BWP gelding King Edward (Edward) to a textbook clear round in 35.60 seconds, trailing his fellow Swede by just nine-hundredths of a second. Rounding out the top five was Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, who guided Dynamix de Belheme (Snaike de Blondel) across the timers clear in 35.63 seconds to conclude a high-caliber World Cup leg in Stuttgart.

Results