Weekend Recap: From France to Canada

CSIO5* | Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, 1.60m

Bucci and Hantano take the Rolex Grand Prix

Piergiorgio Bucci and Hantano won the Rolex Grand Prix at La Baule on Sunday, producing one of two double-clear performances in the jump-off to take the top prize. The combination clocked 40.61 seconds to finish ahead of Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei (0 faults, 41.03) and Julien Epaillard and Fringan de Vesquerie, who were third with 4 faults in 38.78. It is Bucci's second 5* GP win of 2026, following a victory in Rome earlier in the season, and the second at this level for the combination with Hantano.

In the last 12 months at the 5* 1.60m level, Hantano has recorded 8 clears from 19 rounds, a clear rate of 42%.

CSIO5* | Coupe des Nations Barrière, La Baule, 1.60m

France win at home with a clean second round

France won the Nations Cup at La Baule on Friday, finishing on a total of 1 fault to hold off Germany (4 faults) and Ireland (9 faults). The French team of Julien Epaillard, Nina Mallevaey, Antoine Ermann, and Olivier Perreau delivered a clean second round, with Ermann picking up a single time fault the only blemish. Across both rounds of the competition, there were just four double clears in total. Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour were among the standout performers, carrying an Elo of 779 into the week and delivering a clear in round one.

Germany were competitive across both rounds, with Andre Thieme, Sophie Hinners, and Daniel Deusser all going clear at key moments. Ireland took third, with Bertram Allen, Cian O’Connor, and Darragh Kenny all returning clears in round two to keep the team on the podium.

CSI5* | LGCT Grand Prix of Ramatuelle-St. Tropez, 1.60m

Nielsen and ESI Rocky take their first 5* GP win

Anastasia Nielsen and ESI Rocky won the LGCT Grand Prix in St. Tropez, producing the only double-clear in the jump-off to finish in 43.55 seconds. Thibeau Spits and Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z were second after picking up 4 faults in the jump-off (45.49), while Max Kuhner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue took third from the first round (4 faults, 66.34). It is the first 5* GP win for the combination. ESI Rocky carries an Elo of 747, while Nielsen holds LR Rank 134.

Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z continues to perform consistently at this level. In the last 12 months at the 5* 1.60m level, the horse has recorded 15 clear rounds, underlining what a reliable partner the horse has been for Spits at the top end of the sport.

CSI5* | RBC Grand Prix of Canada, Spruce Meadows, 1.60m

Bluman and Landon de Nyze clear in Calgary

Mark Bluman and Landon de Nyze won the RBC Grand Prix of Canada at Spruce Meadows with a double-clear in 44.44 seconds, finishing just under five seconds ahead of Jos Verlooy and Nixon van’t Meulenhof (0 faults, 49.02). Daniel Coyle and Farrel took third with 4 faults in 41.99. Landon de Nyze carries an Elo of 735, and it is the first 5* GP win for the combination.