Aaron Vale & Carissimo 25 Victorious in the $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI 4*

May 31, 2025
11:30 AM

Devon, Pennsylvania, United States – May 29, 2025 – The Devon Horse Show is known as the place “Where Champions Meet,” and on Thursday, May 29, legendary champions of past and new champions of present claimed top honors in two premier events: the $50,000 USHJA International Hunter Derby, sponsored by The Wheeler Family, and the pinnacle event of the 2025 Devon Horse Show and Country Fair—the $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI 4*, sponsored by Meridian Bank.

In a thrilling display of world-class sport, the 2025 Devon Horse Show & Country Fair delivered one of its most competitive and internationally diverse Grand Prix in its 129-year history. The $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon CSI 4*, sponsored by Meridian Bank, brought together an exceptional field of elite athletes from across the globe—including England, Columbia, Israel, Ireland, Egypt, and the United States—for a night of unforgettable show jumping in the iconic Dixon Oval.

With seven of the world’s top 50 riders, Olympic medalists, and rising stars in contention, these global competitors battled for one of the most prestigious titles on the North American circuit. Aaron Vale (USA) and his mount Carissimo 25, were the final horse-and-rider pair to take to the jump off, laying down the fastest round of the four riders who advanced.

**Shane Sweetnam** (IRL) & **Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z**

Ireland’s Shane Sweetnam (IRL) initially led the jump off posting a time of 34.29 seconds with Shane Sweetnam & Voquest’s Zangersheide Gelding Coriaan Van Klapscheut Z (Comme Il Faut X Iliana Van Klapscheutto). Sweetnam’s time was only bested by the final entry in the order – Aaron Vale.

Alex Matz (USA) rounded out the top three with 5 Star Partners’ Dutch Warmblood (KWPN) stallion Ikigai (Elvis Ter Putte X Okori-Retti B).

Having amassed their own collection of accomplishments since being paired together in July of 2023, the 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding (Cascadello—T-Clintissma, Clinton) owned by The Carissimo Group and Vale etched their names into history on The Celeste McNeal Harper Perpetual Trophy, topping the 2025 $226,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon, sponsored by Meridian Bank.