Following three days of elite competition, the Rolex Gran Premio Roma, held in the stunning Villa Borghese arena during the CSIO Roma – Piazza di Siena, brought together 45 of the world’s best riders, all qualified for this historic two-round showdown.

The course was designed by maestro Uliano Vezzani, who presented the riders with a challenging layout: 13 obstacles, including a Rolex triple combination and a tight double, set at 1.60m with a time allowed of 73 seconds. The challenge? Deliver a clear round fast enough to make it into the top 12 and qualify for round two.

A Demanding First Round

The United States — and more specifically Lillie Keenan — opened the Rolex Gran Premio Roma with determination, followed by Belgium’s Emilie Conter, second to enter the ring.
Riding Portobella van de Fruitkorf, she was the first to deliver a perfect clear round, opening the scoreboard for the faultless performances.

Shortly after, the home crowd roared as Lorenzo de Luca (ITA), in front of his Roman fans, posted a second clear with Jappeloup. Nina Mallevaey (FRA), in incredible form in recent weeks, joined them with a strong clear aboard Dynastie de Beaufour.

By the halfway mark — after 22 combinations had jumped — only three clear rounds had been recorded, highlighting the technical demands and precision required by Vezzani’s course.
By the end of the first round, nine riders remained on a zero score, while three others advanced to the second round carrying 4 faults.

A High-Stakes Second Round

The top 12 riders returned for the second round — an even tighter challenge with 7 fences, including a Rolex double, and a time allowed of 48 seconds.

Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) set the tone but incurred 4 faults on the Rolex oxer at the exit of the double. Martin Fuchs (SUI) followed with the first clear round, setting the benchmark at 36.39 seconds with Leone Jei.

Seamus Hughes Kennedy (IRL), riding Esi Rocky, matched the clear in 36.78 seconds, staying faultless over both rounds and keeping the pressure high. Then Cian O’Connor (IRL) raised the stakes, producing a clear in 35.76 seconds with Iron Man, taking the lead.

Nina Mallevaey (FRA), calm and focused, answered with a beautiful clear in 36.35 seconds, momentarily placing herself on the podium. Yuri Mansur (BRA), however, was untouchable with Miss Blue – Saint Blue Farm, stopping the clock at an unbeatable 35.65 seconds — a breathtaking performance that put him on top.

Laura Kraut (USA), one of the fastest riders of the day, flew around the course in 33.39 seconds, but knocked a pole — proving just how thin the line is between risk and reward.

Final Podium – Rolex Gran Premio Roma 2025

🥇 Yuri Mansur (BRA) & Miss Blue – Saint Blue Farm – 0 / 35.65
🥈 Cian O’Connor (IRL) & Iron Man – 0 / 35.76
🥉 Nina Mallevaey (FRA) & Dynastie de Beaufour – 0 / 36.35

A spectacular end to an unforgettable week at CSIO Roma – Piazza di Siena, where precision, emotion, and sporting excellence once again took centre stage. The Rolex Gran Premio Roma delivered on every level — and crowned a brilliant new champion.