St. Tropez, France – September 20, 2025 – A Saturday devoted to spectacle at the Polo Club Saint-Tropez – Haras de Gassin. Team bronze medallist in Paris last summer, Julien Epaillard (FRA) set the tone by claiming the feature CSIO 5* class presented by Ville de Saint-Tropez late in the day.
After an evening marked by the fine American victory of Karl Cook (USA) and Caracole de la Roque in the CSIO5* Grand Prix presented by Groupe Nice Matin – Var Matin, followed by the Parido Auction and Equestrian sale where prices soared, the first Grands Prix took centre stage on the penultimate day of the Saint-Tropez meeting.
The CSIO 5* riders came together for a 1.50 m jump-off class presented by Ville de Saint-Tropez. Seven pairs booked their place for the timed round, including one Frenchman of note – the “rocket” Julien Epaillard (FRA). Frustrated at having missed out on victory the previous day in the Grand Prix, the Norman “let the horses go” with Donatello d’Auge. Setting off second, the 2025 World Cup Final winners left hardly a second behind, completing in 35.18 seconds.
Only Italy’s Giacomo Casadei (ITA) came close with Raffinese (35.91), taking second place, while Ireland’s David Simpson (IRL) filled third with Ovidius vd Donkhoeve (37.95).
“I took a lot of risks in the jump-off and it was necessary because the Italian riding last was not far off. I’m pleased because I missed my Grand Prix. I rode the spa badly and my horse doesn’t deserve faults like that. Even when I feel him a little more tired, he always gives everything; he has an incredible heart. I hesitated to ride him today but I wanted to end on a good note. He has had a busy season and will now have a month’s holiday at home. The goal for the end of the season will be Geneva. I want to congratulate the entire organising team because all the conditions are in place for great sport. For both horses and riders we are superbly welcomed. It’s fantastic to have two CSIO shows in France now; it helps us and the sport to progress. Tomorrow comes the Longines League of Nations with Fringan de Vesquerie, whom I don’t yet know very well, but the idea is to give him experience. I think he has great ability to jump high. It may be difficult, but he jumped very well in Gijon at the end of August, finishing fourth in the 4* Grand Prix at 1.60 m, and again yesterday, so we will see,” explained Julien Epaillard as he left the arena.
Final Results — €56,800 Ville de Saint-Tropez Prize CSIO 5* – 1.55m
1) Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Donatello d’Auge – 0 / 0 – 35.18
2) Giacomo Casadei (ITA) & Raffinese – 0 / 0 – 35.91
3) David Simpson (IRL) & Ovidius vd Donkhoeve – 0 / 0 – 37.95
Source: Press Release from Polo Club Saint-Tropez
Photos: © Agence Ecary / Sara Bedu
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Categories: CSIO 5*, English, Jumper News France
