Adrienne Sternlicht pulling off the near-impossible by winning both a CSI2* AND CSI5* Grand Prix on the same day in Ottawa, Rik Hemeryck claiming victory while Julien Epaillard flies to the fastest time but pays the price with a rail in Deauville, and Canada's women delivering a perfect all-female, all-Canadian podium sweep at Thunderbird. When the ladies take charge across three countries simultaneously, you know it's been a special week.

The CSI5* RBC Ottawa International delivered one of the most compelling championship tests of the season, where Brazilian course designer Marina Azevedo crafted a Grand Prix that separated the truly elite from the rest. Her €340,000 masterpiece was described by winner Adrienne Sternlicht as "incredibly difficult," and the statistics proved it—just three clear rounds from 26 world-class starters, a brutal 12% clear rate that epitomizes championship-level course design.

Azevedo's 1.60m track on Ottawa's pristine grass field was a proper championship test that extracted penalties from every corner. The opening fence caught several combinations early, establishing the technical standard. The third obstacle continued to claim victims, but the water jump proved to be the course's biggest challenge.

At the water complex, Israeli veteran Daniel Bluman suffered two refusals and was eliminated, while American rider Kama Michelle Godek had a fall aboard Charissa. Fortunately, both horse and rider walked away unharmed.

The course's finishing sequence was where Azevedo showed her true genius—a classic triple bar to skinny vertical line positioned as the penultimate challenge. Coming when horses and riders were already under maximum pressure, this combination became the final separator. Earlier in the course, the middle oxer of the triple combination had also extracted its toll, with back rails falling throughout the competition.

In a remarkable testament to female excellence under pressure, the three survivors were exclusively women: Sternlicht (USA) aboard Origa v/h Zuid-Pajottenland, Jessica Mendoza (GBR) with Summerhouse, and Elena Haas (USA) riding Claude. While big names like World No. 1 Kent Farrington, McLain Ward, Daniel Coyle, and Richard Vogel were present, none brought their A-string horses, and none could master Azevedo's demanding test.

Going last in the three-horse jump-off, Sternlicht faced a tactical dream scenario. Mendoza had blazed around in 38.08 seconds but paid with a costly rail, while Haas chose the conservative route but also caught a fence, finishing in 39.02 seconds. With both rivals carrying four faults, Sternlicht needed only a steady clear—regardless of time—to claim victory.

What made this triumph truly historic was the context: earlier that same day, Sternlicht had already claimed victory in the CSI2* Grand Prix aboard Corablue Z. Winning two Grand Prix competitions on two different horses on the same day is virtually unheard of in modern showjumping, showcasing not just her riding ability but the remarkable depth and quality of her horse string.

Ottawa Grand Prix Podium:

The victory marked Sternlicht's return to five-star Grand Prix competition after nearly a year away, making her championship performance all the more impressive. Her historic double on two different horses also provided a massive injection of Longines Ranking points, set to launch her significantly up the world rankings from outside the top 50.

Before Sunday's drama, each day produced its own compelling storylines. Thursday's opener belonged to Ireland's Daniel Coyle and the remarkable Farrel, a 15-year-old who overcame a career-threatening stifle injury to claim victory in emotional fashion.

Friday saw rising American star Alessandra Volpi capture her career-first five-star win, piloting Qannando B&V to victory in the $75,000 Qualifier. At just 25 years old, Volpi's breakthrough performance announced her arrival on the global stage.

Saturday delivered a tactical masterclass from Canada's Nicole Walker in the $70,000 Winning Round, where the tight 45-second time allowed became the decisive factor, giving the home crowd a patriotic celebration.

The Longines Deauville Classic served up one of the season's most compelling tactical battles between raw speed and calculated precision. Belgium's Rik Hemeryck claimed victory aboard Inoui du Seigneur with a masterful clear round in 45.36 seconds, but the real story belonged to France's Julien Epaillard.

The world's fastest rider delivered another of his signature performances—a blistering 42.62-second round aboard Donatello d'Auge that was nearly three full seconds faster than the winner. But in his relentless pursuit of speed, a single rail fell, relegating the French hero to fourth place and once again highlighting the eternal dilemma of jump-off strategy.

This epitomizes the "Epaillard Paradox"—breathtaking displays of speed that leave crowds in awe regardless of final placement. His time was so dominant that it raises the question: is it better to risk everything for an unbeatable time, or secure a clear round that remains vulnerable to faster challengers?

Deauville Podium:

At Thunderbird Show Park, the CSI3* Summer Fort Classic produced a landmark moment for Canadian showjumping—an all-female, all-Canadian podium in the $75,000 ATCO Cup Grand Prix. Olympian Tiffany Foster led the charge with Electrique, claiming victory in 40.89 seconds ahead of Kara Chad's remarkable double—second with Igor GPH (40.93s) and third with Corinna Z (43.01s).

The victory showcased Foster's strategic brilliance, having also won Saturday's 1.45m class with her developing nine-year-old Jetouelle-S, perfectly balancing immediate success with long-term horse development.

ATCO Cup Podium:

The continental circuit delivered quality action across multiple venues. At Peelbergen, Netherlands, Great Britain's Harry Charles mastered a massive 18-horse jump-off to claim victory with Kannandillo in 36.13 seconds—impressive given the field included World No. 5 Henrik von Eckermann and German legend Christian Ahlmann developing younger horses.

Austria's Josefina Goess-Saurau delighted the home crowd in St. Margarethen with Ja Belle Stability, while the Netherlands' Jurre van Bommel secured a tactical victory on Belgian soil in Bonheiden with Grigia Br Z, winning in 35.34 seconds from a 20-horse jump-off field.

U.S. Team Selection for Spruce Meadows

US Equestrian announced a formidable squad for the prestigious FEI Jumping Nations Cup at Spruce Meadows 'Masters': Elena Haas, Lillie Keenan, Laura Kraut, and Aaron Vale. The selection blends Olympic experience (Kraut) with proven team veterans (Vale, Keenan) and rising talent (Haas), reflecting a program operating at peak depth.

The coming week features a fascinating strategic split as two major 5* events run simultaneously, forcing riders to choose their battles carefully.

🇳🇱 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ LGCT Valkenswaard (Netherlands, August 20-24) The spiritual home of the Global Champions Tour hosts crucial championship action at Tops International Arena. With the LGCT title race heating up, expect the world's best European-based riders to converge on this pivotal leg.

🇨🇦 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Major League Show Jumping Toronto (Canada, August 20-24) The innovative team-based league makes its Canadian debut in Rockwood, Ontario, featuring top North American talent and international visitors in the unique MLSJ format.

🇧🇷 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSI4-W São Paulo (Brazil, August 20-24)* Crucial World Cup qualifying points available in South America's premier jumping venue.

🇩🇪 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ CSI4 Münster (Germany, August 20-24)*

🇧🇪 ⭐⭐⭐ CSI3 Lier (Belgium, August 20-24)*

The strategic choices made by elite riders this week—Europe vs. North America, traditional vs. innovative formats—will reveal their priorities heading into autumn's championship season.

Solid week anchored by compelling storylines rather than depth of elite competition. Sternlicht's historic double Grand Prix achievement with two different horses was genuinely special—an accomplishment that occurs perhaps once per generation. Marina Azevedo's course design in Ottawa was exemplary, creating the perfect championship test that rewarded only the very best.

The supporting narratives delivered too: Epaillard's speed-versus-accuracy dilemma at Deauville, Canada's all-female podium sweep, and breakthrough performances from rising stars like Alessandra Volpi. However, with only one 5* event featuring a limited field of 26 (albeit with big names using second-string horses), the week lacked the depth of elite competition we've seen recently.

Still, when a single day produces this level of drama and historic achievement, you're witnessing something truly special unfold in our sport.

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