ROAD TO ROLEX IJRC TOP 10 FINAL: Julien Epaillard

JULIEN EPAILLARD (FRA) - 24/07/1977 

For the fourth year in a row, Julien Epaillard is one of the stars in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final. In 2022 and 2023, he finished in 8th place with Caracole de la Roque and Dubai du Cedre respectively. Same result last year with Donatello d’Auge.

In the limelight since he was a boy (European Young Rider Champion in '96), he has joined the French team at top international events only in recent years. 2022 was the year of his consecration in the jumping Gotha with his participation in the World Championships in Herning, where he finished 6th and entered the top 10 ranking. In his first European Championships (Milan 2023), he stood on the podium for the first time to receive the bronze individual medal.

In 2024, Epaillard added another special bronze medal to his trophy cabinet. Riding Dubai du Cedre in a decisive clear round, he was the main architect for the French team third place on the podium in Paris Olympic Games. In the individual competition, however, a mistake prevented him from reaching the podium and he finished fourth.

Julien is considered to be the number one when it comes to speed classes and that's why he's nicknamed "the flying Frenchman".

A passionate motocross enthusiast, he lives in Le Pre d'Auge where he runs the Haras de la Bosquetterie together with his wife Susana, a Spanish rider who has also competed in World Cup classes.

Chat on the sidelines

It seems like Switzerland is your favourite country this year, isn't it?

«Yes, especially Basel. Geneva was not so good last year, I had one fence down in the Grand Prix, with Donatello, and in the second round of the Rolex IJRC Top 10 Final I also had two down. So yeah… I hope Geneva this year will be better».

You mean Basel was your revenge this year?

«Yeah, Basel was great. I have to say the arena there was very nice for Donatello. He likes small places. Geneva is a bit different. It's a very big arena and could be more spooky there. But okay, I don't know this year if I ride Donatello in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final or Frigan de Vesquerie».

So you still have to decide?

«I bring three horses to Geneva this year. Frigan de Vesquerie, Donatello d’Auge, and Le Coultre de Muze, a new horse. I’m planning to compete in two small shows with Le Coultre de Muze before Geneva and after I will decide».

If you think about the 2025 season, your highlight is definitely Basel, right?

«Yes, of course».

And what about the next season? What have you set in your mind? What's the programme?

«I have two goals next year: the World Cup final, of course, and the World Championship.

So I’ll try to prepare one horse for the World Cup final and one horse for the World Championship. At the moment, the first idea is to give a break to Frigan de Vesquerie a break after Geneva. I think it's a horse that can do championships. It jumps very well on the grass. For the World Cup final, I don't know yet. Between Donatello, Easy Up de Grandry, Le Coultre de Muze, Acatitla Ls... I still have time. I will try to qualify several horses and then take my time to decide.

Last year in the World Cup ranking, you were first. Ben was second. You're going to meet again in Geneva this year. What is going to be?

«It's nice to compete with riders like Ben. Even the top riders in the world are always learning. Sometimes he wins, sometimes I win. It's nice to have a competition and learn every weekend something from the best riders in the world».

What's your feeling about the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final competition?

«When you're in the top ten, it's because you have a great season.  So it's always good to be in the Rolex IJRC Top Ten Final. It is such a very special class... The atmosphere is very intense. We have the ten best riders in the world gathered in one competition. It's really something special».

©IJRC