Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper delivered a masterclass performance in Monaco last night, claiming victory in the prestigious €1.5 million Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco with a breathtaking jump-off time of 32.06 seconds.
The French rider’s electrifying round at Port Hercule left spectators spellbound as he blazed past Britain’s Harry Charles (Sherlock) by a commanding 1.84 seconds, with Netherlands’ Kim Emmen (Imagine N.O.P.) completing the podium in third place.
Royal Spectacle Under Monaco’s Lights
Held under the patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco, the eighth stage of the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour transformed the iconic Port Hercule into an arena of dreams. The sold-out crowd, including SAR La Princesse Caroline and Madame Charlotte Casiraghi, witnessed world-class showjumping against the backdrop of superyachts and the Mediterranean’s glittering waters.
“What can I say about this horse, he is truly amazing, he’s a legend,” an ecstatic Delestre told GCTV. “Winning here is a dream, it was my objective for this season – we tried to plan but to make it makes all the difference.”
Championship Standings Shake-Up
The Monaco victory propels Delestre up the championship leaderboard, though Belgium’s Gilles Thomas maintains his lead:
- Gilles Thomas – 183 points
- Simon Delestre – 158.2 points
- Andreas Schou – 126 points
- Denis Lynch – 112.2 points
- Pieter Devos – 105 points
Jump-Off Drama Unfolds
Course designer Uliano Vezzani’s challenging track saw 12 of 40 qualified riders advance to the jump-off. The decisive round proved why Monaco remains one of showjumping’s most coveted victories:
- Maikel van der Vleuten opened proceedings but collected four faults at the double
- Pieter Devos briefly held the lead with a clear round in 35.39 seconds
- Delestre then unleashed his winning charge, going flat-out to stop the clock at 32.06 seconds
- Kim Emmen secured third with a fluid 34.08-second round
- Harry Charles delivered under pressure, clocking 33.90 seconds for second place
“I asked Maikel ‘if the four was on’, as I think only him and Simon did it,” reflected Charles. “Looking back I would’ve done five… Sherlock had a big enough step and he trusted me.”
Looking Ahead to London
With the championship heating up, the Longines Global Champions Tour now heads to London for its ninth stage. Every point counts as riders chase the ultimate prize in this €6 million championship series.
The Monaco Grand Prix once again proved why it’s considered the jewel in showjumping’s crown – combining sporting excellence with unparalleled glamour in one of the world’s most prestigious venues.
