Who Can Stop Julien Épaillard? Flying Frenchman Supreme in the €120,000 Toubin Clément Prize CSI 5*

By Jumper News on 2025-04-26

Fontainebleau, France – April 25, 2025 – But who can stop Julien Épaillard (FRA)? The rider from Normandy and his faithful Easy Up de Grandry put in another brilliant performance this Friday afternoon in the €120,000 Toubin Clément Prize CSI 5* (1.55m) in the Princes’ arena in Fontainebleau. In this table-A class with jump-off, the recent winner of the Longines FEI Show Jumping World Cup Final left his rivals in his trail, making light of the difficulties on this thirteen-obstacle course, which was nonetheless extremely technical. Once again, with a time of 64.71 seconds, his speed over the course made the difference.

However, the international rivals were waiting in the wings. A number of riders are lying in ambush, ready to pounce on the slightest mistake, such as Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), riding Vestamalle des Cotis, who was hot on the heels of the French rider with a clear round and just two tenths of a second slower on the clock. The Belgian rider Gregory Wathelet (BEL), on Bond Jamesbond de Hay, took third place on the podium with a clear round of 65.97 seconds in this qualifying event for Sunday’s GL events Grand Prix.

Winner’s Circle – Julien Épaillard (FRA)

“This is just the second outdoor competition of the year for my horse, who is getting back into the swing of things. Last week, he made a few little mistakes. I think it certainly did him good to jump without any pressure. The idea is to have a good weekend here before going to Madrid with him. Depending on how things go in Madrid, we’ll see if we’re selected for the Cup in La Baule or not. He’s a horse that seems to jump well on grass, which it was I noticed with his previous riders. That’s why I’ve got La Baule in my sights; but if he’s not ready, it doesn’t matter, there is also Aachen afterwards. He’s a horse that has a lot of potential and I’m just starting to get to know him a bit. Tomorrow, he will be resting and on Sunday he will be jumping in the GL events Grand Prix. I also brought another horse to the Printemps des Sports Équestres. He’s still a little inexperienced, but he has shown some really good abilities, a lot of potential and he is very obedient. Given that he’s only 9 years old, a few things still need to fall into place, but he should be jumping in some prestigious events in the future. I’m slowly getting him ready.”

Final Results – €120,000 Toubin Clément Prize CSI 5*

1) Julien Épaillard (FRA) & Easy Up de Grandry – 0 – 64.71

2) Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) & Vestamalle des Cotis – 0 – 64.91

3) Gregory Wathelet (BEL) & Bond Jamesbond de Hay – 0 – 65.97

FULL RESULTS

Source: Press Release by Eloise Lépine for Le Printemps des Sports Équestres