Abdel Saïd Claims Thrilling Victory at LGCT Grand Prix of Cannes

Set against the glittering backdrop of the French Riviera, with superyachts lining the Mediterranean bay, the €500,000 Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) Grand Prix of Cannes delivered a night of electric equestrian sport. On Saturday evening, Belgian rider Abdel Saïd stole the spotlight, riding the 12-year-old mare Wathnan Zasou vom Claashof to a breathtaking victory under the floodlights. The CSI5* 1.60m class, presented by La Ville de Cannes, is renowned for its tight arena and unforgiving technical questions, testing the world's elite show jumpers to their absolute limits.[1][2]

Out of a starting field of forty top-tier combinations, the demanding first-round track yielded only four flawless performances. Those four advanced to a high-stakes jump-off against the clock, setting the stage for a thrilling climax. The shortened course demanded both raw speed and absolute precision, forcing riders to choose between daring inside turns and safer, wider arcs to clear the massive obstacles.[3][5]

First to return to the arena was Ireland's Michael Pender aboard HHS Cyprus. Riding a horse that is only ten years old and still gaining experience at the grueling 1.60m level, Pender laid down a formidable challenge. The pair executed a superb double-clear round, stopping the clock at 41.35 seconds and immediately putting the pressure on the remaining field.[2][6]

Germany's Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann, a former winner of the Cannes Grand Prix, followed next with her 11-year-old stallion Cellagon Cascais. Opting for a smooth, rhythmic track, she delivered another faultless round. While her time of 43.44 seconds was not enough to catch Pender, her textbook execution secured a guaranteed podium finish. "I think it could be a style class with the way I am able to ride this horse, he really jumped so perfectly," she later remarked.[1][2]

Then came Abdel Saïd. Knowing exactly what time he had to beat, the Belgian rider threw caution to the wind. Wathnan Zasou vom Claashof responded brilliantly to the vibrant atmosphere, navigating the tight rollbacks and soaring over the massive oxers with incredible agility. The pair crossed the finish line in a lightning-fast 39.44 seconds, shaving nearly two seconds off Pender's leading time and sending the sold-out crowd into a frenzy.[1][3]

The final rider into the arena was Denmark's Andreas Schou on Napoli vh Nederassenthof. Chasing his maiden LGCT Grand Prix victory, Schou came out fighting. However, a highly ambitious inside turn to the oxer at fence five proved too daring; the rail hit the sand, incurring four faults. Despite a swift time of 43.54 seconds, the penalty relegated the Danish combination to fourth place, confirming Saïd's spectacular win.[2][6]

Following the triumph, Saïd was quick to praise his relatively inexperienced mount. "She's quite green at this level, and I'm very grateful to her," he explained. "When you have crowds like this, they really motivate us to go for it. She answered every single question tonight—she's unbelievable. We had to take a chance, and she answered all the questions again and showed me she can do it."[2][3]

Pender was equally thrilled with his runner-up finish, recognizing the immense potential of HHS Cyprus. "I am absolutely delighted," the young Irishman said. "Cyprus is only 10 and this is the first time jumping an LGCT Grand Prix and one of this size, so I couldn't be more delighted with second place. Normally I may not be happy with second… but he really stepped up to the game."[2]

Beyond the immediate glory and the lion's share of the €500,000 prize purse, Saïd's victory carries massive seasonal implications. The win earned him a highly coveted "golden ticket" to the Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix, an elite showdown scheduled for the season-ending playoffs in Riyadh this November.[3][6]

The results in Cannes also triggered a significant shakeup in the overall 2026 LGCT championship standings. Despite suffering a serious fall with Gatsby du Tillard that required a hospital visit, France's Simon Delestre managed to retain his position at the top of the leaderboard with 118.67 points.[4]

Germany's Katrin Eckermann holds firm in second place with 104 points, while Saïd's victory catapulted him straight into third overall with 100 points. The race remains fiercely competitive, with Ireland's Cian O'Connor (85 points) and Belgium's Zoe Conter (84 points) rounding out the top five. With a mere 34.67 points separating the top five riders, the battle for the ultimate crown is wide open.[1][6]

As the dust settles on the glamorous Riviera stage, the equestrian world quickly shifts its focus down the coast. The Longines Global Champions Tour moves to Ramatuelle/St. Tropez next week for the sixth stage of the season, where the sport's heavyweights will resume their intense campaign for championship points.[1][6]