The Next Generation Is Now: U25 Stars Go Head-to-Head at Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Ramatuelle, St Tropez
Mdmar – LGCT – Ramatuelle, St Tropez
The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Ramatuelle, St. Tropez delivered exactly the kind of drama the French Riviera has become famous for. A star-studded field packed with championship contenders, medallists and multiple LGCT Grand Prix winners arrived at Pampelonne Beach chasing a share of the €500,000 prize fund, but when the dust settled it was two U25 riders left standing.
In a remarkable twist, just two combinations found the answer to a demanding first-round track, setting up a head-to-head jump-off between Monaco’s Anastasia Nielsen and Belgium’s Thibeau Spits. Both riders had already tasted Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix success in their young careers, but under the Riviera lights one would take another giant step forward.
Recently celebrating her 20th birthday, Anastasia Nielsen delivered one of the standout performances of the season to secure the second Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory of her career. Still processing the magnitude of the moment, Anastasia admitted she was struggling to find the words. “I honestly have no words. I’m so happy. I was so grateful for jumping clear in the first round – it was a tough track. I haven’t jumped that many five-star classes with Rocky, but he’s an unbelievable fighter and he just tries everything to make everything possible. It’s amazing.”
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The victory held even greater significance given her history at the venue. Returning to a place where she had already enjoyed success earlier in her career, Anastasia reflected on just how special the moment felt. “I honestly love this place. I love this show. Back in 2021, I won the one-star Grand Prix here with my horse Zero. I remember how happy we were then, and to be back here five years later and win the five-star LGCT Grand Prix is just amazing.”
Reflecting on the people behind her success, Anastasia was quick to share the achievement with those closest to her: “I have to thank Cameron, my trainer, the Iron Dames, my family and all my friends. They’re so supportive and that means the world. I couldn’t do it without any of them.”
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Runner-up Thibeau Spits had no regrets about his approach in the jump-off, admitting that once Anastasia had laid down the challenge, there was only one option. “Anastasia did exactly what she had to do. I think it was beatable, but I couldn’t just go for a clear round – I really had to try. In the end, maybe I underestimated one line a little bit, but I knew I had to give it a go. Anastasia really deserved the win today.”
Despite narrowly missing out on victory, the Belgian rider reflected positively on another outstanding week, following his GCL podium with Prague Lions powered by Czech Equestrian Team. “I’m very happy with my weekend. The stability we have at this level is what makes me happiest. I know that every Grand Prix we enter, four clear rounds are possible. To be successful at this level means a lot to me.”
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Returning to the St. Tropez podium two years on from his memorable Grand Prix victory at Pampelonne Beach, 2024 Longines Global Champions Tour Champion Max Kühner once again demonstrated his remarkable consistency at the highest level.
Despite narrowly missing out on the jump-off, the Austrian was pleased to secure another top-three finish. “I’m very happy with third place. I was hoping for a top five, but now I’m very happy with this placing.” Kühner also praised the technical test set by the course designer, which produced just two clear rounds. “I think it was a well-built technical course with some technical difficulties, but they were interesting to ride. I think it was well done.”
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Another podium in Ramatuelle, St. Tropez underlines why Kühner remains one of the sport’s most formidable competitors.
And in a sport often dominated by the established elite, St. Tropez once again showcased what the Longines Global Champions Tour does best – creating the stage where the next generation of stars can shine.
The battle for the 2026 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship took another dramatic twist in St Tropez as Abdel Saïd jumped into the overall lead. The Belgian rider now sits on 133 points after a remarkable run of consistency that includes victories in Cannes and St Tropez. Germany’s Katrin Eckermann remains his closest challenger on 127 points, continuing her impressive season-long form, while home favourite Simon Delestre holds third on 118.67 points after a strong start to the campaign. Ireland’s Michael Pender moves into fourth on 109 points following his breakthrough victory in Cannes, while St Tropez runner-up Thibeau Spits breaks into the Championship top five on 100 points. With just 33 points separating the top five and major stops including Paris, Monaco and London still to come, the race for the 2026 Championship is far from over.
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The quality assembled for the seventh leg of the season was extraordinary. World-class combinations filled the start list including Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue, Abdel Said and Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z, Christian Kukuk and Checker 47, Peder Fredricson with Alcapone des Carmille, Michael Pender aboard HHS Cyprus, Olivier Philippaerts and Hipster SV, Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh, Niels Bruynseels with Delux van T & L and many more proven championship performers.
Yet the 1.60m challenge proved relentless.
Rails fell throughout the course as riders struggled to find the perfect balance between scope, precision and time. The track demanded concentration from the first fence to the last and gradually eliminated contender after contender.
Only two riders would emerge fault-free.
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As the afternoon unfolded it quickly became clear that clear rounds would be worth their weight in gold.
Abdel Said and Wathnan Quaker Brimbelles Z looked dangerous throughout but a single rail left them on four faults. Alexa Ferrer and Vitalhorse Fleur d’Oz produced one of the performances of the day to also finish on four faults, while Kristen Vanderveen and Bull Run’s Jireh, Olivier Philippaerts aboard Hipster SV, Peder Fredricson with Alcapone des Carmille, Marlon Modolo Zanotelli and Dorette OLD, Michael Pender on HHS Cyprus, Niels Bruynseels and Delux van T & L, Christian Kukuk aboard Checker 47 and Caroline Rehoff Pedersen with Polonis L all joined the four-fault club.
The fastest of them all was Austrian superstar Max Kühner. Riding EIC Up Too Jacco Blue, he looked every bit the winner until a single rail denied him a place in the jump-off. His time of 66.34 seconds would ultimately secure third place on the podium as the quickest four-faulter.
While the established stars kept knocking at the door, two young talents quietly produced the only clear rounds of the afternoon.
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With only two riders returning, the pressure could not have been greater. First to return was Anastasia Nielsen. The young rider knew exactly what the assignment was: jump clear and force her rival to chase. Delivering under immense pressure, Nielsen and ESI Rocky produced another flawless performance. Keeping every rail in place, they crossed the finish line in 43.55 seconds and threw the challenge directly at Spits.
The equation was simple.
Clear and fast enough, and victory belonged to Belgium.
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Moments later Thibeau Spits entered the arena aboard Impress-K van’t Kattenheye Z knowing exactly what he needed to do. The young Belgian attacked from the outset and looked on course to challenge the benchmark.
But then came the decisive moment. Coming out of the double combination, a rail crashed to the sand. The crowd gasped. The four faults immediately swung the advantage back to Nielsen. Although Spits crossed the line in 45.49 seconds, the damage had already been done. The victory belonged to Anastasia Nielsen.
With her second Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix victory secured, Anastasia Nielsen once again demonstrated why she is considered one of the brightest young talents in the sport. Behind her, Thibeau Spits took a hard-earned second place after another exceptional performance, while Max Kühner completed the podium in third as the fastest four-fault rider from round one.
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In an era packed with champions and global superstars, it was fitting that St. Tropez belonged to youth. The Longines Global Champions Tour has always been a platform where future champions emerge, and on a stunning evening on the French Riviera, the future wasn’t waiting for its turn.
The new generation is now.
As the sun sets on another unforgettable week on the French Riviera, the Championship battle now shifts north to the iconic Champ de Mars for the Longines Global Champions Tour of Paris. With Abdel Saïd extending his lead, Katrin Eckermann closing in, and a new wave of young stars led by Anastasia Nielsen and Thibeau Spits proving they are ready to challenge the sport’s established names, the race for the 2026 Championship is gathering momentum. If St Tropez proved anything, it’s that nothing can be taken for granted. Next stop: Paris, where every point, every rail, and every second will matter.
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The “Mdmar” website which was Founded by Khaled Makhlouf in 2007 for horse and equestrian races is keen to cover and follow all competitions related to horses, from show jumping, Horseracing, speed and endurance races, and purebred Arabian horse beauty shows, which belong to the Arab Gulf countries at home and abroad in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the State of Qatar, the State of Kuwait, the Sultanate of Oman, and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
