The highlight of the Jumping International de Dinard, the fifth event of the 2026 Rolex Series, delivered a thrilling afternoon of world-class sport as Pieter Devos (BEL) claimed victory in the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard aboard Primo DV after one of the most demanding tests of the outdoor season.
Contested over 1.60m on the iconic Val Porée grass arena, the competition attracted 41 of the world's best horse-and-rider combinations, all competing before packed grandstands in front of an enthusiastic French crowd. Designed by renowned French course designer Jean-François Morand, the first-round track featured 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts, with a challenging time allowed that was increased from 83 to 84 seconds after the opening rounds.
Ireland's Denis Lynch was first into the arena aboard Vistogrand, producing a determined performance before a rail at the final oxer and three time penalties ended his hopes of qualification. Austria's Max Kühner, riding EIC Cooley Jump The Q, immediately raised the standard by becoming the first rider to produce a clear round within the time allowed, securing an early place in the jump-off.
As the class unfolded, the difficulty of the course became increasingly apparent. The final oxer claimed numerous victims, including José Antonio Chedraui Eguia, Annelies Vorsselmans, Richard Vogel, while the demanding time allowed also proved decisive. Fresh from his victory in the Rolex Grand Prix of Falsterbo, Shane Sweetnam looked set to qualify with James Kann Cruz, only to incur a heartbreaking single time penalty after an otherwise flawless performance. Olympic bronze medallist Olivier Perreau also delivered an excellent round aboard GL Events Dorai D'Aiguilly, but two time penalties denied the Frenchman a place in the jump-off.
The home crowd had further hopes with François-Xavier Boudant, who remained within the time allowed before a rail at obstacle 11 ended his challenge, while Henrik von Eckermann, Lillie Keenan and Steve Guerdat were among the many leading contenders unable to solve Morand's demanding test.
By the halfway stage, Max Kühner remained the only rider to have achieved the seemingly impossible: a fault-free round inside the time allowed. The tension continued to build until Germany's Christian Ahlmann, aboard Sheeran WL, delighted the spectators by becoming the second rider through to the jump-off. Belgium's Pieter Devos soon followed with Primo DV, while Brazil's Luciana Diniz also qualified aboard Vertigo du Désert. However, with the FEI World Championships in Aachen approaching later this month, the Brazilian rider elected not to contest the jump-off in order to preserve her championship mount.
Three combinations therefore returned for the decisive jump-off.
Max Kühner was first to go and immediately attacked the shortened course, taking bold risks from the opening fence. Despite setting an impressive pace, four faults at the penultimate obstacle left the door open.
Christian Ahlmann followed with a composed, fault-free performance in 49.08 seconds, applying considerable pressure to the final rider.
Last to return, Pieter Devos produced a masterclass of speed and precision aboard Primo DV, stopping the clock in 47.42 seconds to secure a memorable victory in the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard.
Behind the podium, Luke Dee finished fifth aboard Gangster WW, while Shane Sweetnam claimed sixth with James Kann Cruz despite his unfortunate time fault in the opening round. Best of the home riders was Olivier Perreau, who guided GL Events Dorai d'Aiguilly to seventh place.
The victory marks another major success for Belgium in the Rolex Series and brings to a close an exceptional week of sport in Dinard, where packed grandstands witnessed world-class competition from the opening day to the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard finale.
Final Results
🥇 Pieter Devos (BEL) & Primo DV 🥈 Christian Ahlmann (GER) & Sheeran WL 🥉 Max Kühner (AUT) & EIC Cooley Jump The Q
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