Mâcon Chaintré, France – May 24, 2026 – On this Sunday, May 24, the Mâcon Chaintré International Jumping track welcomed fifty couples at the start of the €106,000 Grand Prix of the City of Mâcon CSI 4*. After a breathtaking first round, the nine-couple jump-off finally offered victory to Frenchman Grégory Cottard (FRA) who beat British legend John Whitaker (GBR) by almost four seconds. Nice third place for the Frenchwoman Charlotte Léoni (FRA), first of these ladies. Enough to end an exciting weekend of sport at the foot of the Château de Chaintré.
A Flying but Delicate First Round
Thirteen obstacles at 1.55 meters, 76 seconds allowed to complete the first round, the course proposed by Cédric Longis was a reflection of this entire week of competition, elegant, colorful and subtle.
The first faultless time mark was signed by the Irishman Mark McAuley (IRL)(, who started in number 5th in the event with L’Arc en Ciel Z. Perfect course also by Grégory Cottard (FRA), Joe Whitaker (GBR) and his uncle John Whitaker (GBR). Halfway through the event, four couples were qualified for the final on the clock which was already shaping up to be exciting. Charlotte Léoni (FRA), the Moroccan Abdeslam Bennani Smires (MAR), Lucas Fournier (FRA), stage local Benoît Cernin (FRA) will join them among the finalists in the second half of the event, just like Aindinoise Mégane Moissonnier (FRA). Without penalty at the obstacles but outside the allotted time, Lara Tryba (FRA) and Memphis Z see each other excluded from the dam.
The first round will therefore not have pleased some of the headliners of this 2026 edition. Ironically, Olivier Perreau (FRA) and Himalaya du Temple, missed number 1 “the tales of Perrault.” An obstacle from the Paris Olympic Games where the French rider stalled the team bronze medal. Rick Hemeryck(BEL) had a fault on the last vertical in colors de la Bohème – Traveling bistro. Cédric Angot (FRA), is penalized by four points on the doubles placed in number 12. This does not work either for Denis Lynch (IRL) and Chicago, who leave the vertical n°9 on the ground. Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), fault on the last two elements of the course. As for the Brazilian Marlon Modolo Zanotelli (BRA), he was deprived of a jump-off by a light touche on the pole at number 6, before the triple. The winning combination of the 2025 edition , Marc Dilasser (FRA) and Make my Day by Gèvres suffer a fault on the release of the last double.
Nine in the Jump-off and a Big Victory for Grégory Cottard (FRA)
Nine combinations, seven male riders, two female riders, representing four nations between them. Such was the tempting program for the jump-off of this Grand Prix of the City of Mâcon. The first double clear came quite early, thanks to Frenchman Grégory Cottard (FRA), second to start with Hold Up by Valeme. Launched with long strides on the immense Mâconnais track, he returns 37.62 seconds and thus put pressure on their pursuers.
So the British Joe Whitaker (GBR) and his Hulahupe JR made two mistakes on the track. Right behind, John Whitaker (GBR) once again asserts, if necessary, his legendary sense of rhythm. Under his saddle, Equine America Unick du Francport signs another clear round, in 41.25 seconds. They will ultimately take second place, since no one will do better than the British couple.
The Frenchwoman Charlotte Léoni (FRA), associated with Cyclone L’Epivent, signs indeed a nice double flawless, but at a more leisurely pace, with a clock of 44.97 seconds, synonymous with third place. Under the gaze of his coach Philippe Rozier (FRA), Abdeslam Bennani Smires (MAR), off to a good start, cannot avoid the mistake on the ultimate oxer. The young Lucas Fournier (FRA) leaves the track with two faults on the clock but a great gain of experience at the age of 26. After a little mishap at At the start of the doubles, Benoît Cernin preferred to leave it there and therefore finished ninth.
Party as the opener of the jump-off, the Irishman Mark McAuley (IRL) goes off the track with a penalty, committed on the entry of the doubles and grabs fourth place. Almost four seconds ahead on his pursuers, Grégory Cottard (FRA) therefore adds his name to the list of great great price, now a benchmark among international meetings in France.
Winner’s Circle – Grégory Cottard (FRA)
“I am really happy because Hold Up is a horse that I bred. It’s a lot of emotions for me to see him win at this level today. This week, I missed a little lucky so I take my revenge a little in this Grand Prix. I found the first delicate handle, well fitted. There was an interesting route, respectful of horses. The course manager did a very good job and nine roadblocks is great. I really like coming here in Macon. The atmosphere is family, I know Sébastien Dauvergne and Isabelle Breul well so I’m happy to see them here every year. Every year, they offer a improvement to the site, it’s remarkable. The horses are received here in conditions optimal, I have nothing to complain about! It’s great!”
John Whitaker (GBR)
“I am happy of this second place. Of course, I would have preferred to win but my horse jumps extremely good. I wasn’t able to do exactly what I had planned at the dam but that’s the game. The course was perfect. The weekend was excellent. I really hope to come back
next year!”
Charlotte Léoni (FRA)
” This third place makes me really happy. This is our second Grand Prix in a row without mistake. I put a little pressure on myself today because I wasn’t satisfied with my route of the first day. Cyclone is not a very fast horse naturally. We
we will soon be able to gain in speed but for the moment I assure faultless and that fully satisfied! I know the Mâconnais competition well. The facilities: 20/20! The boxes are cool, the track is great, everything comes together to make a good competition and at each times it works out well for me so it’s with great pleasure that I come back each time.”
Cédric Longis (FRA) – Course Designer
“We lived an incredible week here in Mâcon. This competition has become a reference in terms of quality of installations. For us track leaders it’s really a great playground. We let’s finish with a great Grand Prix. Nine faultless and many four points, it was my plan is often my plan. I always try to create small mistakes, almost everywhere on the route. The horses were never put to the effort, we saw some beauty sport. In summary, I am happy.”
Isabelle Breul – President of Mâcon Chaintré Événements
“I am very happy to victory for Grégory Cottard in this grand prix because he is a rider we know well and that we take pleasure in welcoming regularly during the Jumping International of Mâcon Chaintré. This victory rounds off a fantastic sports week. I would like to warmly thank all the teams who have been working on this event for several months and even several years. Thank you from the bottom from the heart to Sébastien Dauvergne, sports director of our events, who carries out work remarkable and leads the teams with passion. Thanks to Cédric Longis for the quality of his course, to all the riders for their renewed confidence year after year. Of course, a huge thank you to all our partners, to our exhibitors, who also make the success of a event. There was a large audience this afternoon and I believe that these images will remain engraved in our memories for a few more months… Until the next edition even !”
Final Results – €106,000 Grand Prix of the City of Mâcon CSI 4*
1) Grégory Cottard (FRA) & Hold Up by Valeme – 0 / 0 – 37.62
2) John Whitaker (GBR) & Equine America Unick du Francport – 0 / 0 – 41.25
3) Charlotte Léoni (FRA) & Cyclone L’Epivent – 0 / 0 – 44.97
Source: Press Release (translated) by Eloise Lepine for Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré
Photos: © JIMC / Agence Bouillot
Discover more from JUMPER NEWS
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Categories: CSI 4*, English, Jumper News France
