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The $340,000 KASK CSI5* Grand Prix at Tryon International Equestrian Center delivered one of the most thrilling jump-offs of the entire 2025 season. In a class that saw 12 pairs advance to the shortened course, Belgium's Nicola Philippaerts and his 9-year-old Gadget Mouche produced a round of devastating speed and precision, stopping the clock at 43.74 seconds to claim victory in spectacular fashion.

What made this jump-off truly exceptional was the relentless progression of speed. McLain Ward (USA), fourth to go, laid down what appeared to be a formidable benchmark. But Daniel Bluman (ISR) aboard Corbie V.V. immediately bettered Ward's time, setting a new standard. Two riders later, World No. 1 Kent Farrington (USA) entered the ring with Greya and edged out Bluman by a razor-thin 0.05 seconds to take the lead at 44.18 seconds—a time that looked nearly impossible to beat.

Then came Shane Sweetnam (IRL) on his Paris Olympics mount James Kann Cruz. The Irish Olympian scorched around the course, taking every risk available, and flew through the timers in 43.94 seconds to snatch the lead from Farrington. The crowd was on its feet. Surely this was the winning time.

But Philippaerts had other ideas. Late in the order, the Belgian maestro and his relatively inexperienced 9-year-old Selle Français gelding—with Gadget Mouche competing in just his third-ever five-star Grand Prix—executed a near-flawless plan. Taking tight, efficient turns and maintaining a cruising gallop between fences, they shaved two-tenths of a second off Sweetnam's time to claim a stunning victory.

The quality of the class was extraordinary. Ward, who looked lightning-fast early in the jump-off, ended sixth. Bluman, who has been rivaling Farrington all season and was in spectacular form, finished fourth. Farrington, the world's top-ranked rider, dropped to third. The depth of talent and the speed on display underscored why MLSJ continues to attract the sport's elite.

"If you can beat these guys with these horses, it's always very nice to be able to do that," Philippaerts admitted post-competition, acknowledging the world-class caliber of his fellow podium finishers. For Farrington, third place stung. "I'm at the wrong end of this lineup tonight," he said. "I'm happy with the horse, disappointed to be third."

$340,000 KASK CSI5 Grand Prix Podium:* Full Results

The victory was particularly meaningful as Gadget Mouche is a product of the Philippaerts family's own development program, produced by Nicola's father Ludo and brother Thibault. The win marks the young horse's arrival on the world stage and Nicola's first-ever MLSJ Grand Prix title.

Friday night's $262,500 Team Competition saw Team Helios claim their second victory of the season, but the headline belonged to 17-year-old Tony Stormanns (GER), making his debut in the five-star team format. In the gold medal match, Stormanns faced off against Great Britain's Samuel Hutton of the Rainmakers in a head-to-head showdown. With nerves of steel, the teenager delivered a clear round in 46.80 seconds, edging Hutton by just 0.28 seconds to secure the win.

"Tony did not just secure us the gold in the final jump-off but also in the first round he was the only one of us three riding clear," explained teammate Richard Vogel (World No. 5), crediting the youngster with saving the day for Helios.

The victory was a masterclass in team strategy from manager Helena Stormanns, Tony's mother. She deployed veterans Michael Duffy and Richard Vogel in the first jump-off to secure a spot in the gold medal final, then trusted her young son to deliver under maximum pressure. The gamble paid off brilliantly.

The rookie franchise Rainmakers earned a well-deserved silver medal, featuring recent mid-season transfer Karl Cook, while The Archers claimed bronze, building on their victory at Leg 4 in Hudson Valley.

$262,500 MLSJ Team Competition Podium: Full Results

The week had significant championship implications. Abdel Saïd's victory in Thursday's $117,000 Qualifier—his first ride for his new team, the Trelawny Trailblazers, after joining just three days prior—was enough to vault the Trailblazers past Maccabi United into first place in the overall standings. However, both teams failed to reach the medal rounds in Friday's team competition, allowing Helios and The Archers to close the gap. The championship race heading into the final legs is now tighter than ever.

The penultimate leg of the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour delivered a moment that will be remembered for years. Under the golden Moroccan sun at the magnificent Grand Théâtre de Rabat, 19-year-old Anastasia Nielsen (MON) achieved what many seasoned professionals spend a lifetime chasing: victory in an LGCT Grand Prix.

At just 19 years old, Nielsen became the youngest rider ever to win a Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, achieving the feat in emphatic fashion as the only double clear in a field of 40 of the world's best combinations.

Italian course designer Uliano Vezzani set a formidable 1.60m track that proved to be a great equalizer. The course was universally described as "extremely tough" and "big and technical," with only seven pairs managing to produce a clear round. High-profile casualties included tour veterans Scott Brash and Christian Kukuk, underlining the track's difficulty.

In the seven-rider jump-off, Nielsen executed her tactical plan to perfection. Going second in the order after Ireland's Denis Lynch had rattled a rail, she made a calculated decision. "I knew that all my opponents would be very strong and very fast, so I just went for a safe clear round," she explained. Her composed, deliberate ride with Action Man produced a fault-free round in 50.25 seconds—not the fastest time, but crucially, it was clear.

What followed was heartbreak for five world-class riders. Andreas Schou (DEN) came closest with the fastest time of 45.59 seconds, but clipped a rail at the double combination. Pieter Devos (BEL), Marcus Ehning (GER), and four-time Olympic medalist Peder Fredricson (SWE) all fell victim to the demanding track. When the final rail fell for Fredricson, Nielsen's historic victory was secured.

Overcome with emotion, Nielsen struggled to find words. "This is what dreams are made of," she said through tears. "I never dared to dream that I would be here now. It's very special and a real honour to be the youngest winner! It's really unbelievable, this really exceeds all my expectations and wildest dreams."

LGCT Grand Prix of Rabat Podium: Full Results

Adding a poignant layer to the story, runner-up Schou revealed in his post-competition interview that Action Man was formerly his horse. "I am super happy for Anastasia and her amazing team. It's great that my old horse Action Man won here with her," he said, demonstrating the deep camaraderie within the equestrian community.

The victory also earned Nielsen the final "Golden Ticket" to the LGCT Super Grand Prix at the GC Prague Playoffs, where she'll face the tour's most dominant winners in a season-ending showdown.

The team championship battle that had defined the LGCT season reached a critical juncture in Rabat. Valkenswaard United and Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames entered Morocco deadlocked at 277 points, setting up a high-stakes showdown where every rail mattered.

Under immense pressure, Valkenswaard United delivered a performance defined by veteran composure. Marcus Ehning survived a "dramatic near-dismount" on Flower Girl—laughing afterward that he "thought he was going to fall off"—while Oliver Lazarus added just four faults at the final fence with Conbalthago. Their combined total of eight faults wasn't spectacular, but it was solid point-scoring under championship pressure.

The Cannes Stars struggled, carrying 12 faults from the first round before Natalie Dean produced a superb clear with Crescendo MB Z. Nielsen added four faults with Action Man, and their final total of 16 faults left them well down the order.

The day belonged to the St Tropez Pirates, who claimed an emotional first victory of the season. The winning duo of 23-year-old Thibault Philippaerts and 62-year-old French veteran Philippe Rozier provided a compelling blend of youth and experience. For Rozier, the significance was profound. "This is my first win in the GCL. This is my last outdoor five-star event before I retire from five-star shows at the end of the season—so this victory is very important to me," he shared.

Valkenswaard United's 19 points compared to Cannes Stars' 13 created a crucial six-point gap heading into the season finale in Riyadh. While significant, the championship is far from decided—a win for the Cannes Stars combined with a third-place or lower finish for Valkenswaard United would be enough to hand the title to the all-female squad.

GCL of Rabat Podium: Full Results

The 2025/2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Western European League season opened in spectacular fashion at the Agria Oslo Horse Show's stunning new home, the X Meeting Point. The Netherlands' Sanne Thijssen and her 12-year-old mare Cupcake Z delivered a masterclass performance to claim victory in the €250,000 season opener.

Italian course designer Elio Travagliati set a true 1.60m test that proved to be a sophisticated filter. After 17 combinations failed to find a clear path, Thijssen—drawn 18th—delivered the first fault-free round, opening the floodgates for ten more pairs to join her in an 11-horse jump-off.

Drawn first to go in the decider—often considered the most challenging position—Thijssen and Cupcake Z executed a round that set an unbeatable standard. Characterized by tight lines and a relentless rhythm, they flew through the timers in 38.28 seconds, the only sub-40-second round of the competition.

Brazil's Yuri Mansur aboard his evergreen 18-year-old QH Alfons Santo Antonio delivered smooth consistency for second place in 40.72 seconds. The emotional highlight belonged to Norway's Johan-Sebastian Gulliksen and Equine America Harwich VDL, who secured a fairytale third place in front of an ecstatic home crowd, stopping the clock at 41.93 seconds. "A dream come true," Gulliksen said immediately after.

Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of Oslo Podium: Full Results

The victory was historically significant, making Thijssen the first female athlete to win Oslo's World Cup qualifier since France's Pénélope Leprovost in 2015. "I never really had a horse for the indoor season but now I have one," Thijssen said, her emotional comment signaling her arrival as a major contender for the entire Western European League season.

The event also marked a new chapter for the historic show, moving from the Telenor Arena to the state-of-the-art X Meeting Point. The new venue features significant upgrades for equine athletes, including larger stables, wash boxes, and extended grazing areas, alongside the "Horse Welfare For All" initiative—a public educational program demonstrating Oslo's commitment to the highest standards of animal care.

French riders dominated the second week of the Autumn Tour at Polo Club Saint-Tropez, claiming all three podium positions in the CSI3* 1.55m Grand Prix. Francois Xavier Boudant and Brazyl du Mezel executed a masterful double-clear in 42.71 seconds to take the €14,200 top prize. Jean Luc Mourier finished just two-tenths behind with Ceylon Island (42.91s) for second, while Megane Moissonnier and Qoup de Coeur de Muze completed the tricolore podium. Mourier had an exceptional weekend, also claiming victory in the CSI2* 1.45m Grand Prix with Forever Joy de Tus—two podium finishes in the weekend's two biggest classes demonstrating both his skill and his stable's depth.

CSI3 1.55m Grand Prix Podium:

Sweden's Marcus Westergren captured victory in the CSI3* 1.50m Stutteri ASK Grand Prix at the multi-disciplinary World Cup event in Herning, Denmark. Aboard Fellaini de Liebri Z, Westergren delivered a blistering clear round in 36.76 seconds. The margins were incredibly tight—Belgium's Thibeau Spits finished second in 37.22s, just 0.46 seconds behind, while Germany's Magnus Schmidt took third in 37.24s, a mere two-hundredths slower than Spits. Nine pairs qualified for the jump-off from the starting field, highlighting the competitive depth. Danish rider Kasper H. Hansen provided a strong performance for the home crowd, finishing fifth with Katrinelund Satisfaction.

CSI3 1.50m Stutteri ASK Grand Prix Podium:

Veteran Mexican rider Nicolas Pizarro expertly piloted Farino du Guinefort to victory in the CSI3* 1.50m Grand Prix at San Miguel de Allende, delivering a popular home nation win. The event, serving as the second week of a major two-week tour that included a CSI5* the prior week, drew a strong international field. Colombia's John Perez Bohm finished runner-up with Aztlan, while Italian rider Edouardo A. Dubois aboard Cazaan claimed the final podium spot, preventing a complete Americas sweep.

CSI3 1.50m Grand Prix Podium:

Portuguese showjumper Rodrigo Giesteira Almeida extended his remarkable run of form with victory in the CSI3* 1.50m Range Rover C. de Salamanca Grand Prix at the Andalucía October Tour in Vejer de la Frontera, Spain. Riding his established top mare Karonia.L, Almeida delivered the fastest clear round in 37.13 seconds. Irish riders mounted a strong challenge, with Clem McMahon and Carneyhaugh Unison finishing second (37.44s) and Irish Olympian Cian O'Connor taking third with Canbella Blue PS (37.61s). The victory continues an exceptional season for the Portuguese star, who signaled his form early in the week by winning Thursday's 1.40m Royal Bliss Trophy with Comme Le Coeur.

CSI3 1.50m Range Rover C. de Salamanca Grand Prix Podium:

The FEI's October Longines Rankings update shows continued dominance at the top with some significant shifts in the top ten. Kent Farrington (USA) maintains his firm grip on the World No. 1 position for the fifth consecutive month with 3,527 points. Ben Maher (GBR) holds second with 3,108 points.

The most notable movement comes from Scott Brash (GBR), who has climbed two positions to reclaim World No. 3 with 3,036 points following a highly successful summer season. This upward move displaced Germany's Christian Kukuk (down one to 4th with 3,005 points) and Richard Vogel (down one to 5th with 2,914 points).

Another significant development is the return of USA's Laura Kraut to the top ten. A four-position climb sees her now ranked 8th in the world with 2,749 points, underscoring a period of excellent form for the American veteran. Harrie Smolders (NED) also made a notable jump, climbing three spots to 7th with 2,772 points.

Other notable movements include Gregory Wathelet (BEL) surging 11 positions to 13th and Daniel Bluman (ISR) climbing five spots to 15th—both riders capitalizing on strong recent performances.

The International Equestrian Federation issued several governance updates during the week. On October 17, the FEI Tribunal issued a Consent Award in an equine anti-doping case, part of the FEI's ongoing Clean Sport program. Earlier in the week, the FEI reported "productive discussions" from a stakeholders meeting concerning Tack and Equipment regulations, indicating an ongoing collaborative review of equipment rules that directly impact horse welfare and fairness.

In a forward-looking announcement, the FEI Board confirmed acclaimed Irish course designer Alan Wade as the Jumping Course Designer for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games—one of the most prestigious and influential roles in the sport. Wade's appointment will shape the challenge that the world's best will face in their quest for Olympic glory.

The international circuit continues at a relentless pace this week with World Cup action crossing the Atlantic and key European competitions heating up.

🇺🇸 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSI5-W Upper Marlboro, MD (USA, October 21-26)

The prestigious Washington International Horse Show hosts the second leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup North American League. This historic East Coast event is a cornerstone of the indoor season in the United States and will attract the continent's best riders as they continue their campaigns to accumulate points for the World Cup Final in Fort Worth. After Thijssen's commanding start in Oslo, the North American riders will be eager to make their mark on home soil.

🇫🇷 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSI4 Saint-Lô (France, October 22-26)

The Pôle hippique de Saint-Lô hosts its annual international show, a historic and highly regarded event on the French national calendar that consistently draws a strong field of international competitors.

🇧🇪 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSI4 Liège (Belgium, October 22-26)

Positioned in the heart of European horse sport, the Liège international will attract a top-quality lineup of riders from Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, and beyond, continuing the indoor season momentum.

🇪🇸 ⭐⭐⭐ CSIO3 Vejer de la Frontera (Spain, October 22-26)

The Andalucía October Tour elevates its status in its second week with a Nations Cup competition. This provides a crucial opportunity for team competition outside the elite five-star series and a vital platform for national federations to develop team depth and test new combinations.

Other Notable Events:

🇪🇸 ⭐⭐⭐ CSI3 Valencia (Spain, October 21-26)

🇳🇱 ⭐⭐⭐ CSI3 Leeuwarden (The Netherlands, October 22-26)

This was an outstanding week of showjumping that delivered exceptional sport across three continents. The MLSJ Grand Prix produced one of the fastest, most competitive jump-offs of the entire season—when the World No. 1 finishes third and a rider who looked lightning-fast early ends sixth, you know you've witnessed something special. The quality and depth on display was remarkable.

Add to that a 19-year-old becoming the youngest-ever LGCT Grand Prix winner as the only double clear in a field of 40, an emotional team victory in Rabat for a retiring legend, and a picture-perfect World Cup season opener in Oslo's stunning new venue, and you have a week that showcased the sport at its absolute best.

Three major 5* events with compelling storylines at each, championship implications intensifying in both LGCT and MLSJ, variety across formats, and consistently high-quality sport from start to finish. This is what elite showjumping looks like when everything clicks into place.

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