Julien Epaillard Triumphs at Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin

The prestigious Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin offered spectators an unforgettable Saturday, entirely devoted to high-level equestrian sport and entertainment. Between world-class competitions, artistic performances, and moments of pure magic, the event once again confirmed the club’s unique vocation: not only a stage for sport, but also a place where culture, art, and spectacle merge seamlessly.

Julien Epaillard: A Victory of Redemption

Taking center stage was Julien Epaillard, team bronze medallist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, who clinched the CSIO5* 1.50 m class presented by Ville de Saint-Tropez. Riding Donatello d’Auge, the Frenchman delivered a scintillating performance. Setting off second in the jump-off, he stopped the clock at 35.18 seconds, leaving behind Italy’s Giacomo Casadei with Raffinese (35.91) and Ireland’s David Simpson on Ovidius vd Donkhoeve (37.95).

“I took a lot of risks, and it paid off. Donatello has an incredible heart and deserved to finish the season on a high note. He’ll now enjoy a well-deserved month off before returning for Geneva,” said Epaillard, who also praised the quality of the organization and highlighted the importance of France now hosting two CSIO events.

The Stars of Tomorrow: Young Horses Shine

It wasn’t just the big names making headlines in Saint-Tropez: the 7- and 8-year-old horses also impressed with their talent. In the CSIYH1* class presented by Sixt, Romain Dreyfus secured victory aboard Comme Convenu, a striking dark bay stallion by Comme Il Faut. With the fastest double clear in 37.37 seconds, the pair underlined their consistency and promise.

“We bought Comme Convenu a year and a half ago with the idea of building a long-term story together. He’s already proven himself over 1.50 m tracks, and he’s as beautiful as he is talented. Being here, surrounded by the world’s best, pushes us all to aim higher,” Dreyfus explained, while also applauding the Polo Club’s top-class facilities.

International Spirit: Brazil and Switzerland in the Spotlight

The global dimension of the event was further emphasized in other classes. In the CSI1* 1.35 m Grand Prix, presented by Martoia BTP, Brazilian rider Felipe Coutinho Mendonça Nagata took the win aboard I’m A Dancer (35.87). Based near Nice, he went on to claim another victory in the CSI 1 1.25 m* with Haribot du Luot.

Switzerland celebrated in the CSI2* 1.45 m, with Barbara Schnieper and her lively mount Inook taking the top spot. France was also represented on the podium, with Margault Tardy capturing the 1.15 m class riding Garezzo Ryal K.

A Night to Remember: Between Adrenaline and Poetry

After a day of intense sport, the evening program transformed the venue into a stage of artistry and wonder. Laury Tisseur dazzled the audience with a breathtaking liberty performance, skillfully riding multiple horses at once. The crowd then held its breath during the always thrilling Six-Bar, where each round raised the tension.

The evening reached its poetic climax with the Compagnie des Quidams, who enchanted the spectators with luminous inflatable horses in a dreamlike, almost surreal show. The magical night concluded with the electrifying beats of a world-renowned DJ, turning Saint-Tropez into a festival under the stars.

Spotlight on the Longines League of Nations™

With days of spectacle already in the books, attention now shifts to the main highlight of the event: the fourth qualifying leg of the Longines League of Nations™, scheduled for Sunday. Ten teams of four riders will compete in the first round, with the top eight advancing to the final round with three combinations each.

Series leaders France will start last, aiming to defend their top position in front of an enthusiastic home crowd ready to roar them on.

The Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin has once again demonstrated its ability to combine top-level sport with breathtaking entertainment. From Epaillard’s dazzling victory to the promise of young horses, from international successes to the artistry of evening shows, every moment contributed to making this event truly memorable. Now all eyes turn to the Longines League of Nations™, poised to deliver yet another page of equestrian history.

ph Julien Epaillard & Donatello d’Auge ©Ecary

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