Steve Guerdat Sets Dinard on Fire Winning the Saur Derby CSI 3*

By Jumper News on 2026-08-02

Dinard, France – August 01, 2026 – In front of a packed Val Porée crowd, Swiss Olympic champion Steve Guerdat claimed victory in the prestigious €40,000 Saur Derby CSI 3* at the Jumping International de Dinard CSI 5* & CSI 3*. This Sunday, the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard, a highlight of the prestigious Rolex Series, will bring the four spectacular days of the 2026 edition to a thrilling conclusion.

**Steve Guerdat** (SUI) & **Easy Star de Talma**

Three laps of honour, and he could have ridden three more! After a dramatic Saur Derby at the Jumping International de Dinard, Steve Guerdat (SUI) and Easy Star de Talma finally celebrated a long-awaited victory in front of an ecstatic Val Porée crowd. Third to start among the fifteen combinations, the Swiss rider looked to have laid down the perfect marker with a fast, faultless round aboard his stallion, a proven Derby specialist with victories at La Baule (twice) and Falsterbo already to his name. Yet the suspense lasted until the very end. Fellow Swiss rider Martin Fuchs (SUI), fresh from victory in the Falsterbo Derby with Love de Vie, crossed the finish line almost two seconds quicker, only for a costly rail to deny him the win. The final challenge came from France’s Nicolas Layec (FRA) and Georgio Louvo Z, another partnership renowned for its Derby prowess after finishing runner-up in both Dinard and La Baule last year. Flying around the course and setting blistering split times, victory seemed within reach until the very last fence. A fault at the final oxer dashed their hopes, dropping them to fifth place despite finishing nearly five seconds faster than Guerdat.

**Armando Trapote** (ESP) & **Caept’n Hook**

One of only four faultless rounds in the class, Steve Guerdat succeeds Germany’s Sophie Hinners and Munin as winner of the Saur Derby. In the final standings, the Swiss rider finished more than five seconds ahead of Spain’s No. 1 Armando Trapote (ESP), who took second place with Caept’n Hook after also finishing seventh aboard Karl P. “I had prepared two horses specifically for this Derby, working over banks, through water crossings and similar obstacles,” explained Trapote. “It also helps keep the horses interested. I’m actually quite surprised because I would have expected Karl P. to be my best chance. I didn’t imagine Caept’ Hook would achieve this result because he’d only done one Derby before and was eliminated.”

**Alberto Sanchez Cozar** (MEX) & **Giovani de Perhet**

Third place went to Mexico’s Alberto Sanchez-Cozar (MEX) aboard Giovani de Perhet, a Selle Français gelding bred in Brittany. Competing in his very first Derby and on grass for the first time the pair delivered an outstanding performance to complete the podium.

“After jumping the last fence, I thought I had done enough,” said Steve Guerdat (SUI). “But when I saw Nicolas’s round, I was convinced he was going to win. I would have had no problem finishing second because he had been better than me. When he had the rail, I was truly relieved. Martin also produced a fantastic round. Starting third wasn’t ideal at first, but perhaps it helped because I didn’t overthink things and probably took a few more risks. I’m incredibly happy and relieved to finally add the Dinard Derby to my record. I’ve come close so many times, but something always got in the way. Today, things finally went my way. I absolutely love riding this class, and I’m convinced my horse loves it too. Galloping across a large grass arena, with its climbs and descents, is far more enjoyable for a horse than simply circling around in a sand arena. Easy Star was fantastic once again. He’s always excelled in Derby competitions, and I enjoyed every single fence from start to finish.”