MAX KÜHNER FACING THE EIFFEL TOWER
The Longines Global Champions Tour - Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping continued on Saturday, culminating in the LGCT Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris, which took place this evening. Out of 39 competitors, Austrian Max Kühner emerged victorious, ahead of Irishman Denis Lynch and Frenchman Olivier Perreau.
Thirteen obstacles, sixteen jumps, and a tricky course designed by French course designer Grégory Bodo: this was what awaited the 40 qualified riders at the start of the LGCT - Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris. The first to find the key to a clear round was none other than French rider Mégane Moissonnier, winner of the previous round. Unfortunately, her pair with Crooner Tame incurred a time penalty, definitively closing the door on the jump-off. It wasn't until the 15th rider that the first clear round appeared, achieved by German rider Christian Ahlmann and Untouched LB. He will be followed by American Lillie Keenan with Fasther, French riders Charlotte Léoni on Cyclone l'épivent and Olivier Perreau with GL Events Dorai D'aiguilly, as well as Austrian Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue and Irishman Denis Lynch with Cordial.
First to start in the jump-off was Christian Ahlmann, already a two-time winner in Paris.
He immediately set the pace, as he knows so well how to do, in 40.29 seconds. A benchmark time
which unfortunately for him will not last long since Max Kühner is used to
Victories on the circuit with his EIC Up Too Jacco Blue lowers it to 38.86. A
a time that will remain unbeatable since Olivier Perreau crosses the finish line in
39.99 and Denis Lynch, last to start with the impressive Cordial, in 39.89.
AMONG THE INTERNATIONAL HEADLINERS
Briton Scott Brash, currently world No. 3, Olympic team champion in Paris in 2024 and reigning European champion, will be there.
Germany will be represented by Sophie Hinners (No. 21), Daniel Deusser and Christian Ahlmann, the only rider to have won the Paris stage twice, in 2019 and 2023.
On the Scandinavian side, Swedish legends Henrik von Eckermann and Peder Fredricson will be back in Paris.
Belgium will arrive in force with Nicola Philippaerts (No. 13), Thibault Philippaerts, Zoe Hank Conter, Jérôme Guéry, but also Gilles Thomas (No. 5), winner of the LGCT – Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris 2025 with Ermitage Kalone, and Abdel Saïd, recent winner of the Cannes stage and the Eiffel Challenge 2025.
Ireland, meanwhile, will rely on Bertram Allen, Tom Wachman, Cian O'Connor, and Denis Lynch.
Max Kühner's reaction:
"It had been a long time since I'd won a Grand Prix, so when it happened,
"It's always fantastic," began the day's winner. "I think that's what made the
The difference today is that Chacco is naturally very fast, so I just need
to be fully present and perform as well as possible. This victory is all the more
particularity that one of its owners is present and is celebrating his birthday today.
I think it's a lovely gift for him. There's always a special atmosphere here in
Paris, and winning in this setting is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
Olivier Perreau's reaction:
"Dorai was already 3rd yesterday with the GCL, today she's on the podium again, she is
She's really in great shape. She had a very good round and a decent jump-off, I don't have any complaints.
We took more risks. Naturally, we're thinking about the World Championships in Aix.
La Chapelle, I think we're on the right track, but with the horses we need
We must remain very cautious. For now, I prefer to remain very calm on this subject. Naturally.
I would have liked to be ranked higher, but I am still very satisfied."
MÉGANE MOISSONNIER IMPOSES HER CUZENGE OF MUZE'S HEART
Before the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris, the CSI5* riders met for the 1.45m Mediatransports Prize. Forty-six horse and rider combinations competed in this two-phase speed class, and it was ultimately the French rider Mégane Moissonnier who emerged victorious. Riding her 10-year-old stallion, she took first place.
in 25.59 seconds ahead of Dutchman Pim Mulder on It's Possible SRK (26.13 seconds). German Daniel Deusser, partnered with his faithful Bingo Ste Hermelle, completes the podium.
Reaction from Mégane Moissonnier:
"I'm very happy with how my horse jumped. He's quite a fast horse naturally, so in this
In this kind of competition, it's mainly up to me to rise to the occasion. It's my first time here in Paris, the venue is incredible and gives this victory a very special flavor."
CSI1*
At 8 a.m. this morning, the day's competition opened with the Joone Prize at 1.15m, in which American Sienna Smith emerged victorious with Noortje van het Houterhof. The Barnes Prize at 1.30m went to Frenchman Edouard Mercier riding Ballerine de Blondel, while the Le Parisien Prize once again featured the American national anthem, thanks to Philippa Ammann, already victorious yesterday, and Zarina de Vidau.