The Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Paris 2026 produced a memorable evening of elite show jumping as Austria’s Max Kühner and EIC Up Too Jacco Blue rose to the occasion at the iconic Champ de Mars arena.
With the Eiffel Tower providing a spectacular backdrop, Kühner delivered a flawless performance under pressure, producing a double clear round in the jump-off to secure the top position. The Austrian rider stopped the clock at 38.36 seconds, marking his first Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix success of the season.
Max Kühner wins LGCT Grand Prix of Paris
The victory also strengthened Kühner’s position in the championship standings, moving him into second place, just five points behind leader Abdel Saïd after seven stages of the 2026 season.
Ireland’s Denis Lynch finished second with Cordial after another polished double clear round in 39.89 seconds, while home favourite Olivier Perreau thrilled the Paris crowd by taking third place aboard GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly with a faultless effort in 39.99 seconds.
Only four riders managed to complete the competition with double clears, underlining the difficulty of a course that tested both precision and speed. The narrow margins once again showed why the Paris stage remains one of the most demanding stops on the Longines Global Champions Tour calendar.
Kühner, returning to the top step of a Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix podium for the first time since finishing runner-up in Monaco in 2024, praised the role of his horse in the deciding jump-off.
“The main difference was the horse. He’s naturally fast, so I just needed to use that flow,” Kühner said after his win.
The Austrian rider also highlighted the special atmosphere of competing beneath the Eiffel Tower, describing the Paris venue as an unforgettable experience.
For Perreau, the third-place finish added another important result in front of the home supporters. The French rider said competing in Paris offered a unique feeling, especially with the crowd behind him throughout the evening.
The opening round proved to be a serious examination, with the 79-second time allowed creating difficulties for several combinations. Some riders produced clear jumping rounds but missed out on the jump-off after picking up time penalties.
Several leading names also faced setbacks. Previous Paris winner Gilles Thomas with Luna van het Dennehof and championship contender Edwina Tops-Alexander aboard Caetlin vd Heffinck Z both finished with four faults. Peder Fredricson with SV Vroom de la Pomme Z and Henrik von Eckermann aboard King Edward also exited the competition after similar challenges.
After the opening round, only six combinations secured their place in the final battle.
Christian Ahlmann and Untouched LB opened the jump-off with a strong double clear in 40.29 seconds, setting the early standard. Lillie Keenan and Fasther looked fast but a rail down ended their hopes despite a quicker time.
Charlotte Leoni and Cyclone l’Epivent followed but also collected four faults, leaving the stage open for the final contenders.
Kühner then entered the arena and immediately changed the complexion of the contest. His smooth, attacking round with EIC Up Too Jacco Blue produced the fastest clear time of the evening and placed immense pressure on the remaining riders.
Perreau followed with a brilliant double clear, earning huge applause from the home crowd, but his 39.99-second effort was not enough to take the lead.
Last to enter, Lynch delivered another efficient round. His 39.89 seconds secured second place, but Kühner’s earlier performance remained unbeatable.
The LGCT standings now continue to tighten, with Abdel Saïd leading on 140 points, followed by Max Kühner on 135 points and Katrin Eckermann on 127 points. Simon Delestre and Edwina Tops-Alexander complete the top five.
The Longines Global Champions Tour will next move to Monaco from July 2-4, where the championship battle is expected to intensify further as riders continue their pursuit of valuable points.
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