The highlight of the Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France took centre stage on Sunday afternoon as a packed Stade François André gathered to witness the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule.

A total of 45 horse-and-rider combinations came forward to tackle Grégory Bodo’s demanding 1.60m course. Featuring 14 obstacles, 17 jumping efforts and a time allowed of 82 seconds, the track quickly proved to be a true test of precision, scope and consistency.

World No. 3 Scott Brash and Hello Folie were first to enter the arena. Despite producing a quality round, the British rider collected four faults, immediately highlighting the challenges awaiting the rest of the field.

The difficulties continued throughout the first round. France’s Cédric Hurel and Fantasio Floreval Z were unable to find the key to the course, while Kevin Staut and Féline de Hus HDC also saw rails fall. 

One of the biggest challenges came at the triple combination and vertical line in the latter stages of the course, where numerous faults were recorded. Belgium’s young talent Emilie Conter and Portobella van de Fruitkorf looked set to join the clear rounds but incurred four faults just three fences from home.

The first rider to crack the code was Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs aboard Conner Jei. Delivering a beautifully balanced performance, the Swiss rider became the first athlete to qualify for the jump-off.

Julien Epaillard soon delighted the home crowd aboard Fringant de Vesquerie, producing only the second clear round of the class and guaranteeing French representation in the jump-off.

As the competition progressed, Pieter Devos and Casual DV Z added Belgium to the list of qualified nations, while Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone secured another Belgian place in the deciding round. Ireland’s Bertram Allen and Qonquest de Rigo followed with a superb clear, before compatriot Cian O’Connor and Chatolinue PS completed another faultless performance.

The final rider to enter the arena, Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci, ensured an amazing conclusion to the first round. Fresh from his victory in the Rolex Gran Premio Roma earlier this season (with Pallieter vd N.Ranch), Bucci and Hantano produced a flawless round to secure the seventh and final place in the jump-off.

Only seven riders managed to leave all the fences intact, while Sweden’s Petronella Andersson and Odina van Klapscheut finished as the fastest four-fault combination to claim eighth place.

A THRILLING JUMP-OFF DECIDES THE TITLE

Martin Fuchs was first to return and immediately set the standard. Riding Conner Jei, the Swiss star produced a faultless round in 41.03 seconds, laying down a serious challenge for the remaining contenders.

Julien Epaillard responded with a spectacular effort, crossing the finish line more than two seconds faster than Fuchs. However, a rail at the second element of the double combination left the Frenchman with four faults.

Pieter Devos and Gilles Thomas both chased the Swiss benchmark but faults prevented either Belgian rider from taking the lead. The pressure created by Fuchs’ performance continued to build as Bertram Allen and Cian O’Connor also saw rails fall despite their attacking approaches.

The stage was therefore perfectly set for the final rider. Entering the arena last, Piergiorgio Bucci knew exactly what he had to do. Combining speed, accuracy and composure, the Italian rider delivered a magnificent clear round in 40.61 seconds to take the lead and secure victory.

The packed Stade François André erupted as Bucci claimed the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, adding a second Rolex Series Grand Prix victory of the season to his triumph in Rome.

Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule – Top 3

🥇 Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) & Hantano – 0/0 – 40.61s

🥈 Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Conner Jei – 0/0 – 41.03s

🥉 Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Fringant de Vesquerie – 0/4 – 38.78s

In front of a passionate crowd and after a jump-off featuring some of the sport’s biggest names, Piergiorgio Bucci etched his name into the history of the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule (after his name on the Rolex Grand Premion Roma) and further strengthened his remarkable 2026 Rolex Series campaign.