THE ESSENTIALS
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After three days of competition, the LGCT - Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping concluded this Sunday with Luxembourg's Victor Bettendorf winning the Eiffel Challenge Grand Prix, a 1.55m class, in front of a packed crowd. He finished ahead of Sweden's Henrik von Eckermann and Philipp Weishaupt.
The final highlight of the weekend was the Eiffel Challenge, a 1.55m grand prix that brought together, one last time, the best riders in the world on the LGCT - Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping track.
On a 1.55m course, once again designed by course designer Grégory Bodo, 47 horse and rider combinations started. It didn't take long for the first clear round to be achieved by Belgian rider Thibault Philippaerts with Royal van't Schawijke. He was followed by 15 other combinations, including two French riders, Pénélope Leprévost and Olivier Perreau, as well as the previous day's winner, Austrian Max Kühner. Third to go in the second round, he crossed the finish line in 41.81 seconds with EIC Cornets Lady.
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.
As the rounds progressed, the clock ticked down until Victor Bettendorf and Encore Toi du Linon put even more pressure on his competitors with a time of 39 seconds. This time remained unchanged, as no other pair managed to beat it. "It's always a joy to win, especially when it's 'at home,'" the rider said after the competition. "I've been living in France for six years now, so I appreciate this Parisian show all the more. In the jump-off, I think all the riders were particularly focused on Henrik's round, as he's one of the fastest riders on the circuit. Encore Toi du Linon is a mare I adore; she always gives her all in the ring, both for her rider and for the whole team. I'm lucky to be surrounded by the right people who do everything to make me feel comfortable at the competition, and I'm very grateful to them."
Henrik von Eckermann with Hylanderhof's Saruschka will have to settle for 2nd place in 39.26, while the German Philipp Weishaupt associated with Lady Concern du Rezidal finishes 3rd with 39.43.
As in the LGCT - Grand Prix de la Ville de Paris the day before, the best French performance came from Olivier Perreau and his 9-year-old mare, Himalaya du Temple, who finished 5th.
PHILIPP WEISHAUPT WINS THE LAST 5* RACE OF THE WEEKEND
The final 5* event of the weekend, the Prix Route Eiffel at 1.45m, was won by Germany's Philipp Weishaupt riding DSP Omerta Incipit (60.01). American Zayna Rivzi was a close second with Oryzon van het Schaeck, finishing in 60.11.
In particularly good form at the moment, French rider Charlotte Léoni, who finished 6th in the previous day's Longines Grand Prix with Cyclone de l'Épicent, saw her faithful Miss Marie van't Winnenhof perform well this time. Together, they secured 3rd place in 60.49 seconds.
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The first event of the day had a familiar feel! The Prix de la Mairie du 7e at 1.15m, just like the previous day's 1.60m Grand Prix, featured the Austrian national anthem thanks to Theresa Singer riding Espri 4 (49.71 seconds). She finished ahead of France's Caroline Baudry and In Love des Majuros (51.61 seconds) and the Netherlands' Chiara van der Linden with Elize Z.
In the Prix Esthederm, a 1.40m Grand Prix, France was in the spotlight thanks to Aurore Dubus with Chipie de Maillet and Andréa Bormioli on her impressive Fan de Bacon, who finished 1st and 2nd respectively. Spain completed the podium with Susana Epaillard and Fantasia d'Auge.
Never two without three! This saying perfectly describes American Philippa Ammann who, after two victories this weekend, triumphed again this Sunday in the Prix Route Eiffel at 1.30m. Riding Zarina de Vidau, she was the fastest of the 28 starters in 59.48 seconds. Frenchman Antonin Gramont with Ginger de Savigny followed (59.64 seconds), and Irishman Stefano Alfredo Hernandez Ortega completed the podium on Darius Peguignon (61.10 seconds).
A word from the founder and president, Virginie Couperie-Eiffel.
“It was a fantastic edition, a real success on all fronts. Firstly, because of the weather, which was the main topic of conversation this weekend, but also thanks to the public, who turned out in force and were more numerous than ever. I think it's one of our best editions. We had many new partners as well as new activities, which once again demonstrate how the event is both a sporting and cultural gathering. We can't wait to return to the Champ-de-Mars in 2027!”