Deusser's dramatic last-to-go heroics in La Baule, Ireland's emotional Nations Cup breakthrough, and Smolders finally getting his LGCT Grand Prix breakthrough with the legendary Monaco

La Baule Delivers Triple Perfection: Deusser Strikes, Ireland Conquers, Guerdat Finally Gets His Derby

The Jumping International de La Baule served up exactly what we love about this historic venue—grass arena drama, passionate French crowds, and courses that separate the very best from the rest. With three headline events over the weekend, La Baule reminded us why it's such a jewel in the Rolex Series.

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Deusser's Last-to-Go Masterclass Steals La Baule Grand Prix

Sunday's €500,000 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule was pure theater. Daniel Deusser and the 11-year-old stallion Otello de Guldenboom pulled off the classic last-to-go smash-and-grab, flying home in 37.22 seconds to snatch victory from Colombia's Rene Lopez Lizarazo by over a full second.

Grégory Bodo's first-round course was a proper 1.60m test—only eight clear from 50 starters tells you everything about the challenge. The technical sequence from the water jump onwards was particularly demanding, with every fence seemingly connected to the next, demanding sustained concentration and horsemanship. The early double at 6ab, followed by the open water at 8, then just six strides to the delicate Rolex plank at 9, set the tone. The finish was brutal: triple bar at 12, five strides to the Rolex triple combination, then that final Barrière oxer.

But that jump-off? Pure entertainment. Pedro Veniss and Nimrod set the early benchmark at 39.77 seconds, McLain Ward cranked it up to 39.17 with Imperial HBF, then Lopez Lizarazo looked like he'd sealed it with a stunning 38.36. Enter Deusser, who knew exactly what he had to beat.

he admitted afterward, and boy did he use it.

For Otello de Guldenboom, this was his first CSI5* Grand Prix win—what a way to announce yourself at the top level. "Otello wins his first CSI5* Grand Prix today and that makes the team proud," Deusser beamed. You can see why this stallion is going to be a name to watch.

La Baule Grand Prix Top 3:

1. Daniel Deusser (GER) - Otello de Guldenboom - 0/0 37.22s

2. Rene Lopez Lizarazo (COL) - Londina - 0/0 38.36s

3. McLain Ward (USA) - Imperial HBF - 0/0 39.17s

Ireland's 14-Year Wait Ends in Emotional Nations Cup Victory

Friday's €250,000 Barrière Nations Cup was even more special. Ireland delivered a flawless performance for their first La Baule victory since 2011—and what a team effort it was. Michael Blake's mix of experience and youth was absolute perfection.

The statistics tell the story of Bodo's tough track: only 13 clear rounds from 40 attempts in the first round, just six in the second. But Ireland had the horses and riders to handle it. Bertram Allen set the tone as pathfinder with a double clear on Qonquest de Rigo, young gun Seamus Hughes Kennedy matched him with ESI Rocky, and when it mattered most, 20-year-old Tom Wachman delivered under massive pressure with Tabasco de Toxandria Z to seal the win.

Talk about reading the room perfectly.

Belgium came close—so close. Four clears in the first round had them flying, but when Gilles Thomas and crowd-favorite Ermitage Kallone hit the CWD oxer early in the second round, you could feel the pressure. That single rail was the difference between victory and second place.

Nations Cup Final Standings:

1. Ireland - 0 penalties

2. Belgium - 4 penalties

3. Brazil - 8 penalties

Guerdat Finally Conquers the La Baule Derby

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Saturday's CSIO5* Derby was pure emotion. Steve Guerdat has been chasing this win forever, finishing second last year, and you could feel how much it meant when he and Easy Star de Talma delivered the only clear round of the competition.

"At last!" Guerdat exclaimed, and honestly, you could hear the relief and joy.

The derby course was Bodo at his finest—over 1,000 meters of natural obstacles, water crossings, banks, and rustic mounds. It's such a different test from regular Grand Prix jumping, demanding courage and versatility from both horse and rider.

What made it even better was the breakout performance of Nicolas Layec. This 30-year-old, ranked 217th in the world, delivered the fastest four-fault round with Georgio Louvo Z for the result of his career. "Finishing second behind Steve, someone I've always admired so much, feels like a win to me," he said. That's the spirit of this sport right there.

La Baule Derby Top 3:

1. Steve Guerdat (SUI) - Easy Star de Talma - 0 faults, 134.91s (€14,200)

2. Nicolas Layec (FRA) - Georgio Louvo Z - 4 faults, 133.59s (€11,360)

3. Jessica Mendoza (GBR) - Disa DM 42 - 4 faults, 137.38s (€8,520)

Smolders and Monaco Finally Get Their LGCT Moment in Cannes

The Riviera delivered again! The Global Champions Tour of Cannes was everything we've come to expect—glamorous setting, world-class sport, and that electric atmosphere under the floodlights at Stade des Hespérides.

Monaco at 16 Shows Age is Just a Number

Harrie Smolders and the 16-year-old legend Monaco have been knocking on the door of LGCT Grand Prix glory for years, and Saturday night they finally kicked it down. Their winning time of 42.30 seconds in the jump-off was a masterclass in speed and precision—and more importantly, it was their first-ever LGCT Grand Prix win together.

Uliano Vezzani's first-round course was typically selective. "We saw a very big track today with 10 out of 40 [in the jump-off], that was the game plan of Uliano and it worked out for him," Smolders noted. When Ben Maher and Christian Kukuk—the last two Olympic champions—both hit the final fence, you knew it was that kind of course.

The jump-off was brutal. So many good horses and riders hitting rails when it mattered most. Simon Delestre gave the French crowd something to cheer about with his second place, just four-tenths behind Smolders, while Maikel van der Vleuten rounded out an all-Dutch podium in third.

"Incredible Monaco, once again so consistent, he's one of a kind," Smolders gushed. At 16 years old, still jumping at this level? Absolutely remarkable. And that golden ticket to the Prague Super Grand Prix? Well deserved.

LGCT Cannes Grand Prix Top 3:

1. Harrie Smolders (NED) - Monaco - 0/0 42.30s (€165,000)

2. Simon Delestre (FRA) - Cayman Jolly Jumper - 0/0 42.70s (€100,000)

3. Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) - O'Bailey vh Brouwershof N.O.P. - 0/0 45.33s (€75,000)

St Tropez Pirates Strike Again in GCL Thriller

Thursday's GCL was nail-biting stuff. The St Tropez Pirates grabbed their second podium in as many weeks, but they had to work for it. After Max Wachman and Mariano Martinez Bastida went clear in round one, they brought Duarte Seabra off the bench for round two—smart strategy that paid off.

Despite Martinez Bastida picking up two unlucky faults in the second round, their combined speed was enough to win on eight faults total. "Last time in Madrid we had Tom, and this week we had Max... so it doesn't matter which one - I think that's the key now to a podium!" joked Seabra. The Wachman effect is real!

The home team Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames delivered for their supporters with second place, while Madrid In Motion took third. But the real drama was watching teams like Shanghai Swans and Doha Falcons struggle—proves that any team can have an off day in this league.

GCL Cannes Top 3:

1. St Tropez Pirates - 8 penalties

2. Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames - 8 penalties

3. Madrid In Motion - 15 penalties

Spruce Meadows 'Continental': Canadian Dreams Come True on 50th Anniversary

What a week to be Canadian at Spruce Meadows! The 50th Anniversary 'Continental' delivered everything you'd expect from this legendary venue—world-class sport, perfect organization, and some truly special moments for the home nation.

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Deslauriers' Grand Prix Glory Caps Perfect Canadian Day

Sunday's $500,000 Duncan Ross Grand Prix was the perfect ending to the week. Mario Deslauriers, at 60 years old, proved that class is permanent with a masterful victory aboard S&L Quatro van de Meerputhoeve. When he stopped the clock at 43.62 seconds in the jump-off, you could feel the emotion.

"I've been coming to Spruce since I was 14," Deslauriers reflected.

The one-two Canadian finish was perfect, with Calgary's own Kara Chad just 0.21 seconds behind in second with Igor GPH. Peter Grant's course had done its job—only six clear from 25 starters, setting up a jump-off where every hundredth mattered.

Ireland's Conor Swail grabbed third, continuing their excellent week globally, while the incredibly tight times showed just how competitive this jump-off was.

Spruce Meadows Grand Prix Top 3:

1. Mario Deslauriers (CAN) - S&L Quatro van de Meerputhoeve - 0/0 43.62s

2. Kara Chad (CAN) - Igor GPH - 0/0 43.83s

3. Conor Swail (IRL) - Casturano - 0/0 43.90s

Irish Flair Dominates the Week's Other Classes

While Canada owned Sunday, the Irish riders were absolutely on fire throughout the week. Daniel Coyle's double victory on Friday was something special—winning both The Mustangs (1.55m) with Incredible and The Partners (1.50m) with Legacy. Two different horses, two Grand Prix-level wins in one day? That's world-class depth.

Darragh Kenny was equally impressive, sweeping the Canadian Utilities Cup with Lightning (what a perfect name for a speed class!) while also placing two horses in the top three of Saturday's Township Planning + Design Cup.

Other Spruce Meadows Class Results:

The Mustangs CSI5 (1.55m) - Friday:

1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) - Incredible - 0/0 38.66s

2. Kara Chad (CAN) - Igor GPH - 0/0 39.10s

3. Matthew Sampson (GBR) - Ebolensky - 0/0 39.30s

The Partners CSI5 (1.50m) - Friday:

1. Daniel Coyle (IRL) - Legacy - 0/0 40.28s

2. Darragh Kenny (IRL) - Eddy Blue - 0/0 41.10s

3. David O'Brien (IRL) - El Balou Old - 0/0 41.38s

Canadian Utilities Cup (1.45m-1.50m) - Sunday:

1. Darragh Kenny (IRL) - Lightning - 96.29s

2. Jordan Coyle (IRL) - For Gold - 96.50s

3. Conor Swail (IRL) - One Edition

When riders of that caliber are praising a venue, you know it's special.

Quick Hits

CSI4 Upperville Jumper Classic ($200,000):*

1. Aaron Vale (USA) - 63 Styles - 0/0 38.08s (€68,000)

2. Sloane Coles (USA) - 35 Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve - 0/0 39.05s (€40,000)

3. Nayel Nassar (EGY) - 44 Coronado - 0/0 39.27s (€30,000)

Aaron Vale and 63 Styles claimed the $200,000 Upperville Jumper Classic, outpacing Sloane Coles and 35 Ninja JW van de Moerhoeve in the jump-off. The 172nd edition of America's oldest horse show continued to deliver quality sport on its historic grounds.

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CSI4 Wiesbaden Grand Prix:*

1. Vladimir Tuganov (PLE) - Jurry Bleu K - 0/0 48.68s

2. Matias Larocca (ARG) - Patron van de Dweerhoeve - 0/0 49.90s

3. Chad Fellows (GBR) - Conquida de Revel PS - 0/0 51.89s

CSI4 Wiesbaden Lotto-Hessen Prize:*

1. Karim El Zogby (EGY) - Zandigo - 0 faults, 65.15s

2. Luke Dee (NZL) - Gangster WW - 0 faults, 65.26s

3. Andres Vereecke (BEL) - Cuba Libre van Paemel Z - 0 faults, 66.56s

Vladimir Tuganov representing Palestine took the Grand Prix with Jurry Bleu K, while Egypt's Karim El Zogby won Saturday's feature class with the veteran Zandigo. The international flavor of these podiums shows just how global our sport has become.

CSIO3 Drammen Nations Cup:*

1. Belgium - 0 penalties (jump-off)

2. Norway - 4 penalties (jump-off)

3. Netherlands - 15 penalties

Belgium's youth movement struck gold in Norway! After a jump-off with the home team, 20-year-old Mathieu Guery sealed victory with Time-Breaker SZ in his senior Nations Cup debut. Chef d'équipe Filip Lacus called it "good training" for the European Championships—what an understatement!

Looking Ahead

Next week brings us the continuation of Spruce Meadows excellence with the CSI5 'National'* (June 11-15), where the Canadian summer circuit keeps rolling. Expect more world-class fields and that famous Spruce Meadows atmosphere.

Simultaneously, the Longines Global Champions Tour heads to St Tropez (June 12-14) for another glamorous Riviera stop. With the GCL championship tightening up after Cannes, every point matters now.

Other notable events include CSIO4 Sopot* in Poland for Nations Cup action, CSI4 Sentower Park* in Belgium, and the Longines EEF Series continuing in Slovakia at Samorin.

The schedule is relentless, but that's what makes following this sport so addictive—there's always another world-class event around the corner.

Rating: 9.2/10

What a week for the sport! Three phenomenal CSI5* events delivered everything we could ask for—dramatic jump-offs, emotional victories, breakthrough performances, and enough storylines to keep us buzzing for weeks.

Deusser's last-to-go heroics, Ireland's long-awaited La Baule triumph, Smolders and Monaco finally getting their LGCT moment, and Deslauriers' emotional Canadian victory on the 50th anniversary—you couldn't script it better.

The depth of competition globally is just incredible right now. From teenagers like Mathieu Guery making their Nations Cup debuts to legends like Monaco still winning at 16, the sport has never been in better shape.

This week gets an exceptional 9.2 for the incredible variety and quality of sport. Three five-star Grand Prix events, but what made it special was the diversity—classic Grand Prix jumping, historic Derby competition, Nations Cup drama, and team jumping. From Bodo's technical La Baule tests to Vezzani's selective Cannes course to Grant's challenges at Spruce Meadows, we saw every aspect of elite showjumping at its finest. When you combine that variety with last-to-go heroics, emotional storylines, and jump-offs decided by hundredths, you get one of those weeks that reminds you why this sport is so addictive.

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