In a captivating display of top-level show jumping, Harrie Smolders and his long-time equine partner Monaco clinched a spectacular victory in the €500,000 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix of Cannes. With the iconic Stade des Hespérides as the backdrop and a summer Riviera crowd in full voice, the Dutch rider delivered a flawless performance that reaffirmed Monaco’s legendary status in the sport.
Smolders was a class apart on the night, producing two immaculate rounds, including a masterfully timed jump-off that clocked in at 42.30 seconds. The electric atmosphere seemed to energize both horse and rider as they surged ahead of home favorite Simon Delestre and fellow Dutch contender Maikel van der Vleuten. Delestre, riding Cayman Jolly Jumper, thrilled local fans with a swift 42.70s round but ultimately settled for second. Van der Vleuten, who had claimed victory at Cannes last year, delivered a stylish double clear on O’bailey vh Brouwershof N.O.P., rounding off the podium with a time of 45.33s.
Following the win, Smolders credited Monaco’s extraordinary consistency and composure, praising his trusted partner and Evergate Stables for the unwavering support. This win also secured him a coveted spot in the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in Prague—an event that has eluded him so far, despite coming tantalizingly close on past attempts.
The technical 1.60m course, designed by Uliano Vezzani, lived up to its reputation, claiming several big names in the early rounds. Among those who couldn’t make it to the jump-off were top riders like Malin Baryard-Johnsson, Harry Charles, and Jur Vrieling. Even former Olympic champion Ben Maher and Germany’s Christian Kukuk narrowly missed qualification due to unfortunate last-fence faults.
Out of 40 elite contenders, only 13 advanced to the final round. The jump-off unfolded like a tightly scripted drama, complete with heartbreak and heroic efforts. Mariano Martinez Bastida, riding off the momentum of a previous win, couldn’t avoid four faults. Promising young rider Zoe Conter had the crowd on edge before clipping the final rail. Danish rider Andreas Schou and Irish hopeful Max Wachman also fell prey to the demanding track, each tallying costly penalties.
Sophie Hinners and Iron Dames My Prins looked quick but couldn’t manage a clear, while Neal Fearon and Lorenzo de Luca also ended with faults. Then came van der Vleuten, who posted the first clean round of the jump-off. But it was Smolders’ round that stole the show. With clean lines and controlled aggression, he shaved crucial time off the clock and left the crowd in awe.
Simon Delestre had the final shot at glory and very nearly clinched it, falling just 0.4 seconds short in front of an adoring home crowd. Afterward, he expressed his bittersweet emotions—elated by the support but yearning for that elusive win on home soil.
The victory not only reaffirmed Smolders and Monaco’s elite status but also shook up the championship standings. Gilles Thomas retained the overall lead with 87 points, but Delestre’s second-place finish pushed him into a close second with 85.2 points. Hinners and Edwina Tops-Alexander also remain in hot pursuit.
As Cannes bid farewell to another memorable Grand Prix evening, the spotlight now shifts to Ramatuelle, Saint Tropez. From June 12–14, the sixth stage of the tour promises more fierce competition as the championship intensifies.
