UAE President's Cup Grand Prix: Staut Strikes Gold with New Partner

Kevin Staut and New Libero One d'Asschaut stole the spotlight at the UAE President's Cup in Abu Dhabi, claiming the prestigious CSI5* 1.60m Grand Prix in dramatic fashion. How's this for a surprise—the pair has only been together for TWO MONTHS, and this was the horse's first-ever 1.60m Grand Prix win. Talk about making a statement!

The French Olympic gold medalist dominated a challenging Alan Wade course that decimated the field, with only 5 of 30 starters managing to advance to the jump-off. Staut's blistering time of 34.79 seconds couldn't be matched, not even by Ireland's Cian O'Connor, who took second on Iron Man with a time of 36.07. French veteran Roger-Yves "Bosty" Bost rounded out the podium with Embassy du Château in 36.91 seconds.

What makes Staut's win even more impressive is the timing—coming just one week after his podium finish at the World Cup Final in Basel. Most riders would be content with a cooldown event after such a major championship, but Staut showed he's operating on another level entirely, peaking twice within seven days.

The President's Cup didn't just deliver top sport; it showcased Wade's course-building genius. The technical challenge featured a perfect clear-round rate (about 17%)—tough enough to separate the elite without turning it into a demolition derby. That delicate white plank in the final line? Pure evil, and exactly what 5* jumping should be.

Let's talk money—this was the most lucrative showjumping competition in UAE history with a prize pool of over AED 2.35 million (approximately $640,000). The UAE continues its push to become a major equestrian hub, and they're clearly backing it with serious cash.

Georgia Tame (GBR) deserves a special mention for her breakthrough fourth-place finish on Be Golden Lynx. The young Brit outperformed many higher-ranked riders, signaling her arrival on the 5* scene. Meanwhile, both Bost and William Funnell (who took fifth) proved that being in your late 50s is no barrier to success at the highest level—experience counts when the pressure's on.

Behind the scenes, the Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club pulled out all the stops—not just delivering world-class sport but concluding with an immersive cultural show called "A Legacy Unveiled, A Nation United." When was the last time you saw top jumping paired with theatrical storytelling?

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Quick Hits

Maher wins ESP Spring 3*Grand Prix in Wellington

Ben Maher proved why he's a champion in Wellington's CSI3* Grand Prix, piloting Ginger-Blue to victory with a lightning-fast 37.33-second jump-off. The Olympic gold medalist narrowly edged out young American Lacey Gilbertson (37.77s) who led for much of the jump-off with Como Il Faut Loulou MPSZ. Ginger-Blue, a 14-year-old Dutch Warmblood mare owned by Jane Forbes Clark, has been exceptional on Wellington's grass derby field, having won another three-star Grand Prix there earlier in the season. "She loves it on the grass over here," Maher noted after his win, which capped his Wellington season in style as he prepares to ship his string to Europe. The victory was actually his second of the weekend, having also won Friday's 1.45m speed class with Exit Remo.

Elite bloodlines command premium at spring auctions

The breeding side of showjumping is heating up this spring with some eye-popping sales. A highly anticipated embryo with Emerald van 't Ruytershof as sire and Kannan as dam-sire, from the famed Qerly Chin damline (which produced superstars Killer Queen VDM and Toupie de la Roque), generated significant buzz at auction this week. Due in April 2025, this unborn foal represents the merger of two of the sport's most successful sire lines—essentially jumping royalty in the making. Meanwhile, at the Hanoverian April Auction in Verden, a four-year-old jumper named Voulez-Vous (Vagabond de la Pomme x Stakkato) topped the sale at €65,000. The continued influence of certain bloodlines is clear: Chacco-Blue again tops the WBFSH Sire Rankings, with his offspring commanding premiums worldwide.

Richard Vogel's Cydello joins Katrin Eckermann

The German rising star has sold his 11-year-old CSI4* Grand Prix winner to compatriot Katrin Eckermann under the Iron Dames Equestrian banner. The horse, who won at WEF earlier this season, represents another strategic acquisition for Deborah Mayer's ambitious program. The winter season's end typically brings horse switches—we'll be watching how quickly this new partnership clicks.

Constant van Paesschen retires one-eyed wonder horse

Belgian rider Constant van Paesschen announced the sporting retirement of his longtime partner Isidoor van de Helle, revealing the 17-year-old achieved his impressive career—including Grand Prix wins and a World Cup podium—with one blind eye. "A fighter who always believed in himself and trusted me," van Paesschen wrote in an emotional tribute following the horse's injury earlier this year.

April Rankings Shake-up: Kukuk Rockets to #3

The April FEI Longines Rankings have dropped, and while Henrik von Eckermann (SWE) maintains his grip on #1 with 3,278 points, the real story is happening just below the summit. Christian Kukuk (GER) has made a massive leap from #6 to #3 with 3,008 points, signaling a changing of the guard in the sport's elite ranks.

Von Eckermann and Kent Farrington (USA) remain locked in a nail-biting battle for the top spot, separated by just 51 points (3,278 vs. 3,227)—essentially one lower placing in a major class. That's what you call pressure!

But Kukuk's surge to #3 is the headline here. The Olympic individual gold medalist from Paris 2024 has capitalized on recent successes to overtake veterans Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Martin Fuchs (SUI), who dropped to #5 and #7 respectively. This is Kukuk's first-ever appearance in the world #3 position, establishing him as Germany's new spearhead on the global stage.

The rankings are so tight it's ridiculous—Ben Maher (GBR, #4) is just ONE POINT ahead of Guerdat (2,957 vs. 2,956). When's the last time we saw margins this slim? The third-through-fifth ranks are separated by only 52 points, roughly the value of a single 5* Grand Prix win. Talk about living on the edge!

France's Simon Delestre has clawed his way back into the top 10, jumping from #12 to #9 on the strength of recent podiums, effectively replacing Maikel van der Vleuten (NED) who drops out. Meanwhile, Austria's Max Kühner continues his impressive rise, climbing to #6.

McLain Ward (USA) is the biggest loser this month, sliding from #7 to #10. His position looks precarious—just 6 points separate him from Delestre, and riders like van der Vleuten and Marlon Zanotelli (BRA) are breathing down his neck. Ward's relatively quiet winter and aging points are factors, but knowing McLain, he's already planning his comeback.

The regional distribution tells its own story—Europe dominates with 8 of the top 10 riders, while the USA holds two spots. Germany and Switzerland each have two riders in the elite group, with Kukuk and Vogel for Germany, and Guerdat and Fuchs for Switzerland. This shows both nations' depth and continued strength at the highest levels.

Most striking? No female riders in the April top 10. The highest-ranked woman is Laura Kraut (USA) at #18, followed by Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) at #26, Erynn Ballard (CAN) at #27, and Lillie Keenan (USA) at #28. Will we see a woman crack the top 10 again as the outdoor season progresses? With this much talent pushing upward, it seems just a matter of time.

The rankings battle is primed to intensify as we head into the European outdoor season with Nations Cups, Global Champions Tour events, and championship qualifiers on the horizon. Who will rise and fall? The points game has never been more competitive.

Looking Ahead

The show jumping world takes a bit of a breather next week with no 5* events on the calendar. Action continues with 3* competitions in Wellington and Oliva, giving many riders a chance to develop younger horses or rest their top mounts before the spring season intensifies.

All eyes will soon turn to the historic grounds of Fontainebleau, France, where the CSI5* runs April 23-27 as part of "Le Printemps des Sports Equestres." This prestigious event, set in the majestic Grand Parquet, will feature Championship de France Master Pro competitions alongside international 5* jumping. With free entrance for spectators, it promises to deliver high-caliber sport in a spectacular setting.

Rating: 7.1/10

Abu Dhabi delivered strong sport with a few key strengths and limitations. Let's break it down:

Quality of Sport: 7/10 - Alan Wade's course design was excellent, producing just the right clear rate (17%) for a 5* Grand Prix. The podium featuring Staut, O'Connor, and Bost brought genuine championship quality, even if the deeper field lacked some star power.

Entertainment Value: 7/10 - The jump-off was good but not heart-stopping with clear time separations between placings. The cultural show finale elevated the overall experience, though the competition itself wasn't nail-biting throughout.

Field Strength: 6.5/10 - While featuring Olympic medalists and solid professionals, the absence of most current top-10 riders (von Eckermann, Farrington, Epaillard) limited the field's overall depth. Still, enough quality to produce legitimate competition.

Production & Experience: 8/10 - World-class facilities, record prize money, and that immersive cultural show created an exceptional event atmosphere. The UAE continues to raise the bar on presentation.

This was certainly a stronger UAE event than many previous editions, showing the region's commitment to climbing the global show jumping hierarchy. The President's Cup is establishing itself as a desirable addition to riders' schedules, even if it hasn't yet reached the prestige level of Aachen, Geneva, or the most elite GCT legs.

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