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The third leg of Major League Show Jumping delivered everything the format promises: relentless pressure, championship implications with every fence, and a rivalry that's defining the 2025 season. When Kent Farrington and Toulayna stopped the clock at 40.64 seconds in the $340,000 Grand Prix jump-off, the entire Greenwich Polo Club held its breath. One horse remained, and that horse belonged to Daniel Bluman—the same rider who'd beaten Farrington in Toronto just weeks earlier.

Bluman and Corbie V.V. attacked the course with everything they had, matching Farrington's aggressive lines and opening up down the final stretch. The clock stopped at 40.67 seconds. Three-hundredths of a second. The width of a horseshoe. The difference between revenge and déjà vu.

Guilherme Jorge's 1.60m track for the Grand Prix was classic Brazilian design—technical, fair, and perfectly calibrated to identify the best. The course demanded precision without resorting to tricks, asking genuine questions of scope and adjustability. From the starting field, eight combinations produced clear rounds to qualify for the jump-off, right in Jorge's sweet spot of 6-10 clears for an exciting finale.

But this wasn't just about individual glory. The MLSJ format means every class counts toward team standings, and the pressure showed. Riders knew that a rail here wouldn't just cost them prize money—it could swing the entire season championship.

The drama of the top two was amplified by who joined them. Daniel's cousin, Ilan Bluman, took third place aboard Acajou with a clean round in 43.08 seconds, making it a family affair on the podium for Maccabi United. The depth of the jump-off was impressive: Marilyn Little on La Contessa, Jessica Springsteen on Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve, and Samuel Hutton on Ambassador all produced double-clears, testament to Jorge's fair but demanding design.

$340,000 CSI5 Grand Prix of Greenwich Podium: Full Results

This is Farrington's eighth CSI5* Grand Prix victory of 2025, equaling his own single-season record. Combined with his other international wins, he's now sitting on 14 Grand Prix victories for the year. These numbers provide a statement of Farrington's sustained excellence that has put clear distance between him and the rest of the field in the race for World No. 1.

Bluman, despite coming up just short, showed the class and competitive fire that's made this rivalry so compelling.

For the Bluman family, the podium was a moment of celebration despite the narrow defeat. "We have a great thing going, and to be able to share the podium with Ilan for the second time in 20 years is a big deal," Daniel said.

Saturday's $262,000 Trelawny Farm Team Competition delivered its own brand of strategic tension. The Trelawny Trailblazers—reigning back-to-back league champions—needed a statement performance at their home show, and they delivered. Conor Swail laid the foundation with double-clears on Casturano, Nayel Nassar provided the catalyst with a crucial clear on Ivory TCS in round two, and Natalie Dean closed it out on Oasis van de Bucxtale in the gold-medal jump-off against Maccabi United.

The win was massive for the team standings. Maccabi United still leads with 96 points, but the Trailblazers are now breathing down their necks at 93 points. With the tour heading to the Highlands Cup in Hudson Valley next month, every point will be crucial.

Team Competition Podium: Full Results

🥇 Trelawny Trailblazers (Conor Swail, Nayel Nassar, Natalie Dean)

🥈 Maccabi United (Vanessa Hood, Ilan Bluman, Mark Bluman)

🥉 Helios (Rene Dittmer, Michael Duffy, Richard Vogel)

The Longines Global Champions Tour returned to Vienna after a nine-year absence, and the choice of venue was inspired genius. Schönbrunn Palace—the former summer residence of the Habsburg dynasty—provided a backdrop of such imperial splendor that even the world's most decorated riders were left awestruck. "By far the most incredible, alongside Riesenbeck of course," Philipp Weishaupt said, and when a German Olympic gold medalist is that impressed, you know the organizers got it right.

The sold-out crowds for the weekend's feature classes created an atmosphere that elevated every round, and the riders responded with sport worthy of the setting.

Peter Schumacher's course design for the LGCT Grand Prix was a masterclass in using every tool available to create drama. The German course designer, assisted by Markus Brandstätter, David Stumpauer, and Philipp Schwender, set a 1.60m track that was technically demanding, but his secret weapon was the time allowed. By setting an exceptionally tight time, Schumacher created a dual challenge: riders had to clear big fences while maintaining an aggressive, forward pace throughout.

The result? Heartbreak for some of the biggest names. Henrik von Eckermann and Qasirah van de Reistenhoek produced a flawless jumping effort but crossed the finish line fractions of a second too slow, picking up a single time fault that kept them out of the jump-off. Germany's Jörne Sprehe suffered the same cruel fate.

Twelve combinations solved the puzzle and advanced to the jump-off, a number that Harrie Smolders later noted showed the course's fairness. Difficult enough to create separation, not so punishing as to stifle competition.

Ireland's Bertram Allen threw down the opening gauntlet, piloting the nine-year-old Qonquest de Rigo to a sharp clear in 42.31 seconds. But the jump-off track proved tricky, with a vertical on the long final stretch catching out Martin Fuchs (Saturday night's winner in the 1.50m), Eduardo Alvarez Aznar, and Bassem Mohammed.

Then came the veterans' response. Harrie Smolders and the 16-year-old Monaco—already two-time LGCT Grand Prix winners in 2025—rolled back the years with a smooth, deceptively fast clear in 41.96 seconds, taking over the lead with several top combinations still to go.

But Philipp Weishaupt had been planning for this moment all weekend. He'd strategically withdrawn from Saturday's 1.50m jump-off to save his nine-year-old Kilmister's energy, and that decision was about to pay spectacular dividends.

From the moment they crossed the start timers, Weishaupt and Kilmister attacked every line. Daring turns, opening up the powerful gallop, and flying to the final fence, the pair produced a round that left the crowd gasping. The clock stopped at 40.85 seconds—more than a full second faster than Smolders, a massive margin at this level.

The win secured Weishaupt's Golden Ticket to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs, an event he clearly cherishes. "Prague is my favourite week of the year without a doubt."

For Allen, the third-place finish marked a special return. "I am absolutely delighted—he is a young horse at another 9 years old and was so impressed with his step up today," he said of Qonquest de Rigo, continuing to prove his exceptional talent for developing young horses.

LGCT Grand Prix of Vienna Podium: Full Results

The GCL team competition delivered its own brand of strategic drama under the floodlights. The Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team came into Vienna with a specific mission: secure a top-four finish in the overall standings to earn direct qualification to the GCL Super Cup semi-finals at Prague.

Fernando Martinez Sommer and Pieter Devos executed flawlessly, producing the only zero-fault team score of the night. "We needed to perform today to get in the top four of the ranking for the GC Playoffs which is so important for us," Devos said. Mission accomplished.

Riesenbeck International mounted a remarkable comeback from 8 faults in round one to finish second with a double-clear in round two, while championship leaders Valkenswaard United took third with a solid, point-scoring performance to protect their overall lead.

GCL of Vienna Podium: Full Results

🥇 Prague Lions (F. Martinez Sommer, P. Devos) - 0 faults

🥈 Riesenbeck International (C. Kukuk, P. Weishaupt) - 8 faults

🥉Valkenswaard United (M. Ehning, H-D. Dreher) - 8 faults

Sometimes a Grand Prix is won in a frantic gallop against the clock. And sometimes it's won through absolute precision when everyone else is making mistakes. The $339,730 CSI5* Grand Prix at Club Hípico Coapexpan was emphatically the latter.

Peter Grant's course design for the week was relentlessly technical, and nowhere was this more evident than in Sunday's feature class. From twenty starters, only two produced clear rounds to reach the jump-off—a brutal 10% clear rate that spoke to the unforgiving nature of the track. This wasn't a course with tricks; it was a test of fundamental horsemanship where the questions were clear but the execution was incredibly difficult.

Argentina's Ignacio Maurin and Conchado were first into the jump-off, setting a brisk pace of 42.73 seconds. But a single rail came down, leaving the door open for Brazil's Rodrigo Lambre aboard the 10-year-old mare Take-Off Diara PS.

Lambre's strategy was clear: a clean round wins. He rode a calculated, efficient track, never rushing but never giving anything away. When they cleared the final obstacle to produce the only double-clear of the entire competition, the win was emphatic. Their time of 42.59 seconds was marginally faster than Maurin's, but the perfect score of zero was what mattered.

This was the culmination of a stellar week for the pair. They'd won the $117,000 1.55m qualifier on Thursday, signaling their form, and backed it up with the biggest prize of all. For a mare who'd finished second in Puebla's 1.50m Grand Prix the week before, Take-Off Diara PS is hitting peak form at exactly the right time.

With only two in the jump-off, the final podium spot went to the fastest four-faulter from the first round—Mexican rider Alejandro Mills and Bretzel du Marais claimed third place. Compatriot Arturo Parada Vallejo and Mon Faut-Tren took fourth, giving the home nation strong representation at the top of the leaderboard against a world-class international field.

The Canadian course designer Peter Grant's influence was felt all week. His FEI Level III credentials include building at Spruce Meadows and assisting at Olympic Games, and he brought that pedigree to Coapexpan. The 1.55m qualifier had just three clears. The 1.45m two-phase featured a "power sector" that caused havoc, with only the top three managing double-clears. This consistent level of difficulty meant the final results felt authoritative—only the best partnerships were rewarded.

CSI5 Grand Prix of Coapexpan Podium: Full Results

Ireland's Cian O'Connor made his long trip to Mexico pay with a trio of podiums across different horses, showcasing the depth of his Karlswood Stables string. Kentucky TN secured second in the $117,000 1.55m qualifier with a brilliant double-clear. Pegasus took third in the 1.45m two-phase. And Bentley de Sury finished fifth in the Grand Prix.

But the week's most significant development was the debut of his new acquisition, Emeraldo 4, the nine-year-old gelding previously campaigned by Laura Kraut to major victories including at CHIO Aachen.

The new partnership immediately collected a ribbon with third place in the CSI2* 1.45m class. For a rider thinking about future championships, acquiring a proven nine-year-old is strategic gold.

The glamorous French Riviera venue delivered a Grand Prix that was all about speed. The €105,500 Clip My Horse Grand Prix on Sunday saw 15 combinations produce clear first rounds, setting up a massive jump-off field. From that group, seven pairs managed to go double-clear, turning the competition into a pure sprint against the clock where fractions of a second separated the podium.

Nicolas Sers and Espoir de La Chesnee proved fastest in the shootout, claiming the home victory for France. The depth of the jump-off—with seven double-clears—meant that technical riding wasn't enough; riders had to take every available risk to chase down the winning time. A French rider secured second place as well, making it a one-two finish for the host nation at the CSI4* event, which ran September 24-28 and also hosted CSI2* and CSI1* tours alongside the main competition.

CSI4 Grand Prix Podium:

Saudi Arabia delivered a dominant performance at the Morocco Royal Tour's second leg, securing both the Nations Cup and the Grand Prix in a display that signals serious championship ambitions. The Nations Cup victory was particularly significant, with the team—guided by German chef d'equipe David Will—finishing on just 4 faults to beat Italy (12 faults) and Great Britain (14 faults).

The professionalism is evident: Will used this event as a benchmark to measure the team's collective level ahead of the Middle East season, with clear objectives for the Asian Games and World Championships in Aachen next year. This is no longer a program built on individual talent—it's a strategic, European-style operation with long-term goals.

Two days earlier, Abdulrahman Alrajhi had won the €105,500 Grand Prix aboard Heartbeat W in a thrilling 11-horse jump-off, besting compatriot Abdullah Al Sharbatly on the legendary Alamo. The backstory added weight to the win: Alrajhi bought Heartbeat W at this same venue a year ago. "A year later, we're winning our first Grand Prix together," he said, completing a full-circle moment at the site where their partnership began.

€105,500 Grand Prix Podium:

CSIO4-W Nations Cup Podium:

🥇 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia - 4 faults

🥈 🇮🇹 Italy - 12 faults

🥉 🇬🇧 Great Britain - 14 faults

The Split Rock Jumping Tour's Fall Classic at Kentucky Horse Park delivered a breakthrough moment for American rider Zume Gallaher, who captured her first-ever CSI3* Grand Prix victory aboard the 11-year-old stallion Ellouthago PS in the $100,000 Hagyard Equine Medical Institute Grand Prix.

Brazilian course designer Anderson Lima's 16-effort track proved selective, with only four of 35 starters producing clear first rounds. As the final rider in the jump-off, Gallaher delivered the only double-clear of the day, stopping the clock at 42.61 seconds. "Speechless," she said after her win. "I've had this horse for 4 years, and this has been a long time coming."

The podium was an all-female affair, with Lacey Gilbertson and LouLou MPSZ taking second with a clear round in 46.63 seconds, while Gabriela Reutter and Maharees Rock finished third, going faster in 44.63 seconds but with four faults. The result underscores the vital role of the North American three-star circuit as a proving ground where patient development of partnerships—like Gallaher's four-year journey with Ellouthago PS—is rewarded with significant prize money and career-defining moments.

$100,000 Grand Prix Podium:

The future of show jumping was on display at the FEI WBFSH World Breeding Championships, where Ireland continued to dominate the development of young talent. Michael Pender claimed the five-year-old title with HHS Private Ryan—remarkably, after just six weeks of partnership—in a massive 18-horse jump-off. Eoin Brennan secured the seven-year-old championship with Augustus Z in a thrilling finale that reportedly saw him finish on an identical time to Belgium's Niels Van Rossem.

The pedigrees tell a compelling story: the prevalence of Zangersheide sires (El Barone 111 Z, Aganix du Seigneur Z) across multiple studbooks demonstrates how performance-oriented breeding philosophy has created a genetic force multiplier across European sport horse production. Paired with proven damsires like High Shutterfly and Vigo d'Arsouilles, it's the recipe for the modern elite jumper.

5-Year-Old World Championship:

🥇 🇮🇪 Michael Pender - HHS Private Ryan

🥈 🇳🇱 Doron Kuipers - Olympic van't Roosakker VK Z

🥉 🇮🇪 Jason Foley - Tysons Lady Lux

6-Year-Old World Championship:

🥇 🇳🇱 Max van de Poll - Ortane

🥈 🇮🇪 Niamh McEvoy - BP Othello

🥉 🇧🇪 Thibeau Spits - Touch of Joy Dwerse Hagen

7-Year-Old World Championship:

🥇 🇮🇪 Eoin Brennan - Augustus Z

🥈 🇧🇪 Niels Van Rossem - Speedy van Klapscheut

🥉 🇫🇷 Thibault Thevenon - ICI et la Courcelle

Madrid Horse Week has been canceled, removing a crucial Longines FEI Jumping World Cup qualifier from the Western European League calendar. The decision follows the delayed renewal of the Event of Exceptional Public Interest (AEIP) designation, a government-supported framework that has for nearly a decade provided valuable support for the event's organization and funding.

The abrupt cancellation forces riders to completely re-evaluate their autumn campaigns, as athletes meticulously plan their schedules to target specific qualifiers in the race for points to reach the World Cup Final. With one less opportunity available, the pressure intensifies at remaining qualifiers like Oslo, Helsinki, and Lyon. For riders on the bubble of qualification, this could be a season-defining setback that shifts the entire competitive landscape of the indoor season.

France's super-mare T'Obetty du Domaine has been retired after an incredible career that saw her win 97 international victories with Harold Boisset, marking the end of one of the circuit's most prolific partnerships.

On the sales front, several significant moves reshape the competitive landscape: Edwina Tops-Alexander acquired Caetlin vd Heffinck Z in partnership with Stoeterij Black Horses, while Cian O'Connor's purchase of Laura Kraut's former mount Emeraldo 4 signals his championship ambitions for the coming seasons.

The inaugural season of the FEI's top-tier nations cup series reaches its dramatic conclusion at the iconic Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. The world's leading show jumping nations will battle for the overall championship title in what promises to be a spectacular display of team competition. This is the main event of the week, with everything on the line.

The Morocco Royal Tour concludes with its third leg, serving as a crucial World Cup qualifier for the Arab League.

🇮🇹 ⭐⭐⭐ CSI3 Palermo (October 2-5)
🇦🇹 ⭐⭐⭐ CSI3 Wiener Neustadt (October 1-5)
🇺🇸 ⭐⭐⭐ CSI3 Amenia, NY (October 2-5)
🇨🇳 ⭐⭐ CSI2 Shanghai (September 30 - October 3)
🇩🇪 ⭐⭐ CSI2 Riesenbeck (October 1-4)
🇺🇸 ⭐⭐ CSI2 Tryon, NC (October 1-5)
🇫🇷 ⭐⭐ CSI2 Fontainebleau (October 2-5)
🇮🇹 ⭐⭐ CSI2 Gorla Minore (October 2-5)

This week gets an 8.6/10 for delivering high-quality sport across three continents with exceptional storylines and production values. Greenwich delivered the signature moment—Farrington and Bluman separated by 0.03 seconds, with Kent's eighth five-star Grand Prix win equaling his own single-season record. Vienna countered with Schönbrunn Palace's imperial splendor, where Weishaupt and nine-year-old Kilmister captivated sold-out crowds. The volume pushed this into high-quality territory: three five-star events spanning continents, featuring Grand Prix, team competitions, and Nations Cups, with compelling storylines from Saudi Arabia's professionalized Rabat double to Gallaher's breakthrough Split Rock win.

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