St. Tropez – Gassin once again set the stage for a Grand Prix filled with tension, finesse, and fractions of a second deciding the outcome. The CSIO5* Grand Prix, part of the Longines League of Nations™, gathered the world’s elite over a demanding 1.60m course. Out of a stellar line-up, only five combinations emerged faultless across both rounds.
At the very top stood Karl Cook of the USA with Caracole de la Roque (Zandor Z). Together, they rode a seamless clear in round one and tightened the lines in round two, stopping the clock at 41.06 seconds. The 13-year-old mare showed not only scope but remarkable consistency, giving Cook a victory worth savoring on French soil.
Hot on his heels came Brazil’s Stephan de Freitas Barcha aboard Dinozo Imperio Egipcio (Diamant de Semilly). Also faultless, his final time of 41.59 seconds was just fractions adrift. The powerful 12-year-old gelding by Diamant de Semilly carried the Brazilian rider to silver.
The podium was completed by another American combination: Laura Kraut with Bisquetta ((Bisquet Balou C). The 11-year-old Zangersheide mare jumped with elasticity and courage, producing two clear rounds and a final of 41.76 seconds. Kraut’s trademark cool under pressure secured yet another top-three finish on the global stage.
Just outside the medals, Jeanne Sadran of France and Dexter de Kerglenn (Mylord Carthago HN) claimed fourth. Their double clear in 44.12 seconds showed control and calculated riding, giving the home crowd plenty to cheer about.
The fifth place went to Sweden’s Wilma Hellström on Cicci BJN, who matched the French result with a spotless record in 44.17 seconds. The 14-year-old grey mare by Ci Ci Senjor ASK rewarded her rider with another impressive top-five finish at five-star level.
