LONGINES FEI JUMPING WORLD CUP: Julien Epaillard imperious right to the end!

What a fantastic final! Not one but TWO of our members are on the podium at this 2025 edition of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final! It was an event that will go down in history, with an incredible atmosphere, all expertly managed by its President Andy Kistler and the Chairman of the Organising Committee, Dr. Thomas Straumann.

In the lead after the first two rounds, French Olympic rider Julien Epaillard was only 3 points ahead of his nearest rival. Having decided not to take part in the jump-off on Friday, it was imperative that he put in another perfect performance in the 3rd round of this 2025 Final if he was to maintain his lead. His horse Donatello d’Auge was up to the task and it was thus as leader that the pair tackled the 4th and final round, under pressure as Ben Maher (GBR) and Kevin Staut (FRA) also managed to get through the course designed by course designer Gérard Lachat without penalty. Unfortunately, both were unable to repeat this performance, each committing a fault, paving the way for Julien Epaillard’s first title. 2nd last year in the final organised in Riyadh, 4th individually at the Paris Olympic Games, winner today… the Frenchman definitely belongs among the world’s best!

Congratulations to all the owners of the horses entered in this final and in particular to our members Susana Epaillard (Donatello d’Auge), Françoise Sanguinetti (Visconti du Telman), Georg Kaehny (Iliana), Peter Aregger (Elysium), and Caroline and Stephen Blatchford (Vermento) whose horses took part in this final day of competition.

The JOC Executive Committee would like to congratulate and thank Andy Kistler and his entire team for providing a great moment of sport in exceptional conditions, for the horses, athletes, grooms, owners and, of course, the public. See you in January 2026 for another edition of the World Cup stage!

Tiffany van Halle