Epaillard secures second World Cup victory in Stuttgart

Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Le Coultre de Muze outshone a star-studded field at the Stuttgart German Masters on Sunday to claim victory in the fourth leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League.

With some of the biggest names in the sport lining up for the challenge, the stage was set for a heavyweight showdown. Epaillard proved untouchable, producing a blistering jump-off round to secure his second World Cup title of the 2026/2027 season after his success in Lyon (FRA) earlier this month.

Twelve combinations from 39 starters progressed to the jump-off, where nine produced double clears.

The flying Frenchman stopped the clock in 34.10 seconds, edging Eduardo Menezes (BRA) and H5 Londontime into second on 34.73, while Peder Fredricson (SWE) and Alcapone des Carmille completed the podium in 35.51.

I feel good, of course. It was a difficult jump-off. A lot of very fast riders were here today, so I’m really happy. My horse was amazing, really listening to me, and it was an amazing feeling with him.

Epaillard said following the win. 

Course designer Christa Jung (GER) set a winding first-round track that made full use of the arena, featuring 14 obstacles and 17 jumping efforts with a time allowed of 70 seconds.

Many combinations came agonisingly close to a clear round before faults in the final section of the course ended their hopes. Home athlete Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER) and Vestmalle des Cotis were the first to find the key, putting a clear on the board in 66.96 seconds to the delight of the German crowd.

Once Dreher had shown the way, the clears began to come thick and fast as the jump-off field took shape.

Menezes, who produced one of the fastest first-round clears, praised the options presented by Jung’s course.

“I think it’s challenging,” he explained. “It gives plenty of options. You can add or take out a stride in many lines, and when you have those options, it makes the riders think. Fortunately, I took the right decisions.”

With 12 returning to tackle the short course against the clock, the jump-off became a battle of fine margins.

Menezes and H5 Londontime laid down a formidable target of 34.73 seconds, but Epaillard and the 15-year-old Le Coultre de Muze found another gear to shave 0.63 seconds off the Brazilian’s time.

Third place proved just as tightly contested. Fredricson and Alcapone des Carmille flew home in 35.51 seconds to take third for the second consecutive year in Stuttgart. Just 0.09 seconds separated them from compatriot Henrik von Eckermann and the legendary King Edward, who took fourth.

For Epaillard, the performance was another reminder of the quality he has beneath him in Le Coultre de Muze.

“I’m very lucky,” he reflected. “He’s an amazing horse. The feeling to ride him is something very special. He’s so light to ride, and I take a lot of pleasure with him.”

The victory also moves Epaillard closer to one of his main goals for the season: qualification for the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Gothenburg (SWE) next March.

“The World Cup Final is an objective for me,” he explained. “I think I’m close to being qualified now at the beginning of the season, so I can organise my plan and try to arrive with the horse in the best form in Gothenburg.

“I think I have two horses that can jump the Final, Donatello and Le Coultre. First I have to qualify, and then we will see.”

Epaillard’s triumph in Stuttgart takes him to the top of the Western European League standings on 45 points, ahead of Henrik von Eckermann on 38 and Richard Vogel (GER) on 37. Max Kühner (AUT) sits fourth on 32 points, with Martin Fuchs (SUI) fifth on 24.

The Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League now moves on to Madrid (ESP) for the fifth qualifier of the season on 29 November.

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