Lyon World Cup Review: A Tale of Champions and Near-Misses

The event showcased both emerging stars and established champions, with particularly notable performances from three outstanding combinations.

United Touch S & Richard Vogel: Mastery in Motion

Richard Vogel and United Touch S claimed a remarkable victory in the World Cup qualifier, demonstrating why they're one of the sport's most exciting combinations. 

United Touch S, now rated sixth in the world with an Elo of 775, continues his impressive ascent through the rankings. At 12 years old, he stands as one of the sport's most promising talents, with only Dubai du Cedre, Elektric Blue P, Dynamix De Belheme, Beauville Z N.O.P., and King Edward currently rated higher.

Monaco N.O.P.: The Bridesmaid's Tale Continues

Harry Smolders and Monaco N.O.P. added two more second-place finishes to their remarkable record in Lyon - both in the World Cup qualifier and the Grand Prix. These results brought Monaco's total to 11 second-place finishes at 5* 1.60m level without a win, an extraordinary statistic that has become one of the sport's most talked-about narratives.

Despite the lack of outright victories, Monaco's achievements shouldn't be understated. Only six horses have achieved a higher Elo rating than Monaco N.O.P. over the past decade. He previously reached an impressive peak rating of 790, only King Edward (822 in 2024), Explosion W (804 in 2021), Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z (804 in 2023), Casall ASK (796 in 2017), Fit For Fun 13 (793 in 2019) & H&M All In (793 in 2022) have ever achieved a higher rating.

Foxy de la Roque: Rising Star Claims Grand Prix Victory

Victor Bettendorf and Foxy de la Roque delivered a stunning performance to win the Grand Prix, marking their third 5* 1.60m victory from just four attempts at this level. At just nine years old, this mare has shown exceptional talent and consistency:

The win in Lyon was particularly significant given the quality of the field, establishing Foxy de la Roque as one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. While the combination couldn't replicate their success in the World Cup class, their overall performance in Lyon further confirmed their status as rising stars in international show jumping.

With major events like Geneva on the horizon, all three combinations have positioned themselves as serious contenders for future championships. The emergence of young talents like United Touch S and Foxy de la Roque, alongside the consistent excellence of Monaco N.O.P., suggests an exciting future for the sport at the highest level.