The French team won the Coupe des Nations Barrière on Friday, the highlight of the second day of the Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France. Just two months before the World Championships, this long-awaited victory for Les Bleus, their first since 2017, gives them a major confidence boost.This Saturday, the Saur Prize and the historic Derby de la Baule – Demeures de Campagne will set the Stade François André alight with excitement.

Sometimes, the images at the end of a round say more than words ever could. Nina Mallevaey’s broad smile the 26-year-old world No. 7 and the highest-ranked female rider in the world Olivier Perreau (No. 96) and Julien Épaillard (No. 11) raising their fists in triumph, Antoine Ermann (No. 50) pointing a finger toward the sky, and the embraces shared by the entire French team staff.And then there was La Marseillaise, sung by the 7,500 spectators in a Stade François André seemingly floating on air at the conclusion of the Coupe des Nations Barrière. A tremendous outpouring of joy after suspense that lasted right to the very end.

On the course designed by French course designer Grégory Bodo, the French team had to wait until the penultimate fence of the day before they could celebrate victory, their first in the Coupe des Nations since 2017 (when Kevin Staut, Pénélope Leprévost, Roger-Yves Bost and Cédric Angot were part of the winning team).

Leading after the first round without a single penalty on the scoreboard, Germany looked untouchable. In the second round, Andre Thieme and Sophie Hinners, the first two riders to enter the arena, both delivered another clear round. With Daniel Deusser and Richard Vogel still to come, the Mannschaft had two “match points” in hand.Deusser, riding Ottelo de Guldenboom, last year’s winner of the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule, was the first to falter, picking up four penalties. Meanwhile, the French team, who had finished the opening round on a score of just one penalty point (thanks to clear rounds from Julien Épaillard aboard Fringan de Vesquerie and Nina Mallevaey aboard Dynastie de Beaufour, a single time penalty for Antoine Ermann and Floyd des Prés, and four penalties for Olivier Perreau and GL Events Dorai d’Aiguilly at the final fence), produced an excellent second round, highlighted by clear rounds from Perreau and Ermann (while Mallevaey incurred four penalties). Last to go for France, Épaillard delivered a brilliant second clear round, putting Richard Vogel and his superstar United Touch S under intense pressure, with nothing less than a faultless performance required. The mission was accomplished… until the penultimate obstacle, a plank fence coming out of the double combination. One mistake and four penalties later, victory belonged to France, while Germany had to settle for second place.

“Winning here, in front of this crowd, with such outstanding organisation and such a superb arena, is fantastic,” said French chef d’équipe Édouard Coupérie. “They all rode incredibly well. Julien produced a double clear with a horse that is returning to top form, Olivier delivered a magnificent round, and Antoine came very close to a double clear with just a single time penalty. With Nina, it’s always either zero or four penalties, and more often than not it’s a clear round. It’s extremely encouraging for the future. La Baule was a major test. This victory gives us a tremendous boost in confidence. But a lot can still happen over the next two months. We now need to manage this period carefully. We will work on an individual programme for each rider.”

Nina Mallevaey: “With the Eyes of a Little Girl”

Among the riders, the sense of joy was, of course, immense.

“Winning the Coupe des Nations in La Baule is a dream come true,” said Nina Mallevaey. “Hearing the French crowd singing La Marseillaise was incredible. It gave me goosebumps all over. I felt like a little girl again, with stars in my eyes. It’s pure happiness. I’m trying to make the most of this period. In sport, there are highs and lows. Right now, I’m experiencing mostly highs, but it won’t always be like that, so I’m enjoying every moment without getting carried away.” The same sense of wonder was shared by the other young member of the French team, Antoine Ermann.“I’ve been watching the La Baule show since I was a kid,” he said. “Just competing here one day was already a dream, so winning the Nations Cup… you can imagine what that feels like. It’s a lot to take in. I’m not even sure I fully realise it yet. I was worried that my time penalty in the first round might prove very costly. It was a mistake I could have avoided. Fortunately, in the end, it didn’t have any consequences.”

The More Experienced Riders Relished the Moment as Well. The more seasoned members of the team were equally eager to savour the occasion.“It’s a real privilege to have been part of this Coupe des Nations Barrière,” said Olivier Perreau, who has been riding a wave of success in recent years, including a team bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games and a victory at the Lyon World Cup qualifier. “This crowd makes you want to give absolutely everything. I was a little disappointed with my mistake in the first round, but I’m very happy to be competing alongside riders of this calibre. I’m also delighted with my mare, who is in outstanding form.”

“The challenge was to bring Fringan here in top condition,” added Julien Épaillard. “Originally, I was supposed to be the reserve rider, but unfortunately Simon (Delestre) had an accident and was unable to be here. This Coupe des Nations Barrière allowed me to gather a great deal of valuable information to have Fringan ready on the day that really matters. I’m going to enter him in Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix to see how he performs on a course layout that is similar to what we can expect at the World Championships.”

France succeeds Ireland, last year’s winner of the Coupe des Nations Barrière. The Irish team finished third this year after an outstanding second round, featuring three clear rounds, which enabled them to recover from a difficult opening round, in which they had ranked eighth.

In the Hus Reproduction Prize (1.45m speed class), another highlight of Friday’s CSIO 5* competition, Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet (World No. 28) claimed victory aboard Romance van de Padenborre, a nine-year-old mare by Ironman van de Padenborre, the stallion also ridden by Wathelet.Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann finished second with Glamour Girl, while Saudi Arabia’s Abdulrahman Alrajhi took third place aboard Kandide Chavannaise.

In the CSI 1* competition, Giulia Guilloteau, riding Happy de Liverdy, gave the home crowd another reason to celebrate by securing victory in the Markel Equine Insurance Prize (1.15m speed class). The talented 14-year-old French rider finished ahead of Switzerland’s Cherine Bourquard on Asmara, while Margret Tengerino and Hors Série du Riol completed the podium in third place. The Star-Spangled Banner rang out in the Prix Datanaute thanks to the victory of Djuna Lauder, 19, aboard Cornet Fifty MM formerly ridden by Swiss rider Alain Jufer. She finished ahead of Camille Condé Ferreira on Kairos Romaneira Z, while Italy’s Annabel Frisch, riding Daisy du Tertre, completed the podium in third place.

Saur Prize and La Baule Derby – Demeures de Campagne Headline Saturday’s Programme

On Saturday, the Saur Prize (1.50m, with jump-off), scheduled for 11:30 a.m., and the La Baule Derby – Demeures de Campagne (5:15 p.m.) will be the highlights of the day for the riders competing in the CSIO 5*.The Saur Prize, the second-richest individual class of the four-day event, will offer the final qualifying opportunities for Sunday’s Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule. Won last year by Swiss Olympic champion Steve Guerdat aboard Easy Star de Talma, the La Baule Derby – Demeures de Campagne is one of the most spectacular classes of the show, featuring numerous natural obstacles and forming part of the long-standing tradition of the Jumping International de La Baule.

Earlier in the day, the CSI 1* riders will be the first into the arena for the La Baule Événements – Atlantia Convention Centre Prize (1.30m, two-phase competition). They will return at 3:00 p.m. for the Laiterie de Montaigu Derby.

At 7:15 p.m., renowned horseman and equine educator Andy Booth will host a Masterclass that is sure to captivate amateur riders and equestrian enthusiasts alike.

Throughout the day, visitors will be able to enjoy a wide range of activities in the Exhibitors’ and Partners’ Villages. The Equine Well-Being Village will also host numerous panel discussions and conferences.