Julien Epaillard thrills home crowd with World Cup win in Lyon

France’s Julien Epaillard and Le Coultre de Muze edged Richard Vogel and Cloudio by just three-hundredths of a second to win the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ in Lyon (FRA) on Sunday.

The home favourite secured victory with a clear jump-off round in 38.17 seconds, with Germany’s Vogel finishing in 38.20. Switzerland’s Edouard Schmitz and Gamin van’t Naastveldhof completed the podium in 38.31 at the second leg of the Western European League.

French riders dominated the podium at last year’s event in Lyon, taking the top three places. Epaillard was second in 2024 and 2023 and won here in 2022, and he credits Longines Equita Lyon as “one of the best shows of the year.”

He added:

It’s very important for us to have good results in Lyon. I always try to show up with horses in top form. There is always super atmosphere and the best riders in the world here. Seeing that we’re still in the running usually bodes well for a good World Cup season, and that’s pretty reassuring. The World Cup Final is an objective for me.

Fourteen riders returned for the jump-off from an initial field of 40 competitors over a course designed by Santiago Varela (ESP).

Schmitz and Gamin van’t Naastveldhof, a 14-year-old SBS gelding by Chacco Chacco x Toulon owned by Arturo Fasana and Céline Fasana-Corghi, were the first to break the 40-second barrier by crossing the timers in 38.31 seconds, which held up for third place.

With an incredible turn back to the double combination and high velocity throughout his jump-off ride, Epaillard and Le Coultre de Muze, owned by Christian Baillet, set the winning time at 38.17 seconds.

Following Epaillard in the jump-off, Vogel opened up his horse’s gigantic stride and took a risk by slicing a tall vertical. He regrouped in the turn and galloped to the final Longines oxer, narrowly missing out on victory with a time of 38.20 seconds.

This was Le Coultre de Muze’s first five-star Grand Prix win since the pair began competing together a year ago. Epaillard took over the ride on the 15-year-old Belgian Warmblood stallion, by Presley Boy x Vigo d’Arsouilles STX, from Philippe Rozier in November 2025.

Epaillard said of his horse, who also overcame an injury early in their partnership: “We had to get to know each other. The beginning wasn’t all that easy; we took it step by step, and little by little I think I managed to earn his trust. We’ve known for a long time now that he’s a great horse, but a partnership has to develop. I have felt like we weren’t far from a top performance. And now, a year later, I think we’re really in sync as a team.”

Vogel said of Cloudio, the 12-year-old Holsteiner stallion by Casall x San Patrignano Cassini owned by Vogel & Will Equestrian GmbH: 

I’m very proud and happy with Cloudio. He’s so incredibly consistent. In such a fast jump-off, I could have done one or two situations smoother, but he jumped brilliant today.

“I could have left a stride out in two places, and it would have been just enough to win, but I’m happy with second place as well, especially with how he performed.

Reflecting on the minuscule difference in times, Vogel said: “It’s really not a lot, but it’s a trend where our sport is going. Margins are getting smaller and smaller; every detail and small decision matters, and at the end, that influences the results. We will try to work our way up and beat Julien next time.”

Schmitz said: 

I’m very, very pleased with today’s results. I’ve been waiting a while now for a result like this, and it’s absolutely fabulous. I thought I had it in the jump-off. I gave everything I had; I executed exactly the plan I wanted, and I felt like I did everything I could.

“When you have Richard or Julien going after you in the jump-off, you know it’s never a sure thing. I thought after Martin was quite close to my time, I was in danger, and it turned out that way. That horse has come through for me every time, and he keeps delivering.