First to Go, Impossible to Catch: Ciaran Nallon Triumphs at Longines Global Champions Tour of Rabat

By Jumper News on 2026-11-03

Rabat, Morocco – October 31, 2026 – Ireland’s Ciaran Nallon (IRL) delivers a sensational opening jump-off round aboard Christians Carado to claim victory in the €164,700 Ministère de la Jeunesse, de la Culture et des Sports Prize CSI 5*, holding off a star-studded field in Rabat.

The penultimate day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Rabat delivered a thrilling afternoon of 5* show jumping as Ireland’s Ciaran Nallon (IRL) produced an unbeatable performance to claim victory in the €164,700 Prix Ministère de la Jeunesse, de la Culture et des Sports CSI 5* – 1.50m.

Against the stunning backdrop of Morocco’s capital, the world’s leading riders went head-to-head in a fiercely contested competition, with razor-thin margins, dramatic jumping and a nail-biting jump-off keeping spectators on the edge of their seats.

Founded by Qatar’s Years of Culture initiative, the Longines Global Champions Tour of Rabat continues to celebrate the connection between world-class equestrian sport and cultural exchange, bringing the international show jumping community together for the final stage of the 2026 championship season.

**Ciaran Nallon** (IRL) & **Christians Carado**

Ciaran Nallon (IRL) smiled: “I honestly wasn’t expecting this at all, so it makes the win even more special. To go first in the jump-off against so many incredible riders, you never really think your time is going to be enough, so I was just hoping I’d done enough to be competitive. To watch everyone else come in and not quite catch us was an unbelievable feeling. It really means a lot to me, especially at this stage of my career, and I’m so grateful to the whole team behind us that make moments like this possible. Rabat is an amazing event, the venue is incredible and the whole show is organised to such a high standard. To win here, against this level of competition, is something I’ll remember for a very long time.”

It was a remarkable afternoon for Ciaran Nallon (IRL), who delivered the performance of his career aboard Christians Carado to claim the top step of the podium. First to enter the arena in an 11-horse jump-off, the Irish rider set a blistering time of 39.65 seconds, producing a flawless clear that would prove impossible to beat. Despite ten of the world’s leading combinations chasing his target, Nallon’s early benchmark remained untouched until the very end.

**Emanuele Gaudiano** (ITA) & **Nikolaj de Music**

Hot on his heels was Italy’s Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA), who came agonisingly close aboard Nikolaj de Music. Producing another exceptional clear, Gaudiano stopped the clock in 40.26 seconds, just 0.61 seconds behind the winner, to secure second place.

**Christian Ahlmann** (GER) & **Diamantino**

Completing the podium was Germany’s Christian Ahlmann (GER), who demonstrated his trademark precision aboard Diamantino. A beautifully controlled clear in 40.48 seconds was enough to claim third place, rounding off a fiercely competitive podium separated by less than one second.