Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci claimed victory on Sunday in the Rolex Grand Prix of the City of La Baule, the highlight event and grand finale of the Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France. Switzerland’s Martin Fuchsand France’s Julien Épaillard completed the podium in a competition of the highest calibre.
Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci (world No. 22) has no intention of coming down from his cloud. Just two weeks after winning the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome aboard Pallieter VD N.Ranch, the experienced 50-year-old rider repeated the feat this Sunday in the Rolex Grand Prix of the City of La Baule, a leg of the Rolex Series, a circuit that brings together seven of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events (La Baule, Rome, Dinard, Wellington, Falsterbo, Brussels, and Dublin).This time, Bucci triumphed with Hantano, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding expected to partner him at the World Championships in Aachen in two months’ time. He succeeds Germany’s Daniel Deusser (Otello de Guldenboom) and becomes only the second Italian rider to have his name engraved on the La Baule honours list, following Giorgio Nuti in 1985 with Impedoumi.
As with all the major classes of the 2026 Jumping International de La Baule, the winner was not decided until the very last round. In the Rolex Grand Prix of the City of La Baule, designed by course builder Grégory Bodo and contested under a blazing sun, Piergiorgio Bucci was the last of the seven jump-off contenders to enter the arena at the heart of the Stade François André. Before him, only one rider had managed a clear round in the jump-off: Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs (world No. 27) aboard Conner Jei. “Watching Martin’s round on the giant screen, I thought he had set a time that would be very difficult to beat,” the Italian admitted. “But I never go into a jump-off expecting to be beaten. I wanted to win, and I believed I could, especially because the course design suited me quite well, with two very tight left-hand turns. I’m extremely happy with this victory for my horse. He gives me so much. He deserved a win at an event of this magnitude, one of the greatest competitions in the world. And then there’s this truly exceptional crowd, which always gives us extra motivation. The spectators here understand the sport and cheer for every rider, even the foreign ones. It’s magical.”
Already runner-up in Saturday’s Demeures de Campagne Derby (behind his compatriot Steve Guerdat, who was also the last rider to go), Martin Fuchs once again came close to victory. “For about ten minutes I was very frustrated,” he confessed. “But I quickly shifted to being satisfied with second place at one of my favourite shows of the year. Of course, I would have loved to win, but Piergiorgio rode brilliantly and produced a superb jump-off round.”
Julien Épaillard’s Great Satisfaction
After winning the Barrière Nations Cup on Friday with the French team (alongside Nina Mallevaey, Antoine Ermann,and Olivier Perreau), thanks to two clear rounds aboard Fringan de Vesquerie, Julien Épaillard (world No. 11) — team bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, newly crowned French Champion, and winner of the 2025 World Cup Final — was all smiles after securing third place in the Rolex Grand Prix, despite a single fault in the jump-off, where he posted the fastest time.“First of all, I would like to thank the entire organisation,” he said. “We had a fantastic week, both in terms of the people and the way the horses were looked after. Everything was perfect. I came here to assess where my horse and I stood, and the outcome is obviously very positive. He performed consistently throughout the week, with only one fault in today’s jump-off, and that was my mistake because I should have added a stride. I learned a great deal this week, and I hope it bodes well for what lies ahead.” Nicolas Delmotte and Urvoso du Roch, winners in 2021, remain the most recent French pair to have their names added to the event’s honours list.
CSI 1*: Jeanne Rossez Claims the Range Rover Grand Prix
Four combinations qualified for the jump-off of the Range Rover Grand Prix (1.35 m), the concluding class of the CSI 1*. More accustomed to eventing competitions, Jeanne Rossez proved the fastest aboard N Dayclic de la Bérangerie.“I had mainly come here hoping to win Saturday’s Derby, where I finished sixth, so I certainly wasn’t expecting to win the Grand Prix — it’s a wonderful surprise. What makes it even more special is that I’m coming back from a broken collarbone, and the horse had only competed twice this year. He belongs to Marine Durand, who has entrusted him to me for the past five years. He originally came to do eventing. We developed a great partnership, and he has become a fantastic jumping horse alongside his eventing career. This is our first victory together.” Ireland’s Gavin Harley (Liverpool SFN) finished second, while Bastien Bauer (Imperial de Semilly) completed the podium in third.
In the Prix Tomate Jouno (1.15 m, jump-off format), Carlotta Sacchetini, riding Helectre du Bodery, was the fastest of the six riders who achieved double clear rounds, finishing just 0.11 seconds ahead of Lola Courbet (Banzai de l’Abbaye) and Nathalie Moussouteguy (Casoar des Sarthes).
The Prix Emma Pâtisserie (1.25 m, jump-off format) went to Camille Fuzeau Thomas aboard Emingway. Often a runner-up — including in last year’s Grand Prix — she finally claimed victory, finishing 0.38 seconds ahead of Chloé Morin (Frimeur du Lirot) and Agathe Bellest (Vaillant de la Bauche).