Amsterdam, The Netherlands – January 25, 2026 –Two years after taking the crown in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ of Amsterdam, Julien Epaillard (FRA) and his homebred 13-year-old gelding, Donatello d’Auge, repeated that feat once again in front of an elated sell-out crowd. The knowledgeable Dutch spectators were treated to a typical masterclass in speed by the reigning Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Champions and showed their appreciation for the French maestros by way of a standing ovation as the much-admired partnership entered the arena for the prize-giving.
Pénélope Leprevost (FRA) produced the first faultless round of the jump-off as she tactically guided the relatively inexperienced 12-year-old stallion Ehning Flamingo around the six-fence jump-off track, prioritising accuracy over speed from second draw. She remained in the lead with the only fault-free round until the fifth combination entered the arena – Julien Epaillard (FRA) and the 13-year-old Donatello d’Auge.
Epaillard’s plan for the jump -off was to “start fast and after go quicker!” An operation which he executed with typical accuracy. The presence alone of the prolific combination filled the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre and threw the packed stands into an expectant silence.
Typically cool and collected, Epaillard walked around the arena before tipping his hat, setting his old friend into a formidable pace and galloping to fence one from the opposite end of the arena. A little rub at the first fence, a 1.55m vertical set close to the end of the arena and jumping into the stands, saw any moment of doubt out of the way for the rest of the round. Forward flowing distances followed, as Epaillard continued to take risks and ask increasingly daring questions of Donatello d’Auge.
A trademark tight line into the double at fence 12 saw Epaillard ask his mount to take off for part A jumping into the stands. From there they continued the turn mid-flight to straighten up over the fence before continuing the turn over part B. They landed still turning but already running to slice more valuable time off the clock. A brilliant shot to the penultimate vertical and gallant gallop to the last, saw them break the beam some 8.34 seconds faster than the leading time to take an unassailable lead at the midway stage.
Dutch favourites Willem Greve(NED) , Kim Emmen (NED) and Bas Moerings (NED) all faulted, forced into uncharacteristic errors by Epaillard’s formidable pace. Patrick Stühlmeyer (GER) and Niels Bruynseels (BEL) delivered exhibition rounds of jumping with their seasoned campaigners Delux van T & L and Baloutaire PS in 42.71 and 42.91 seconds respectively to occupy the second and third steps of the podium with three athletes remaining.
Only one of these could leave all the fences intact. The consistent combination of Alain Jufer (SUI) and his long-term partner, the 15-year-old Dante MM, already second in two Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Qualifiers in the Western European League this season, were on the periphery of another sensational result. Having safely negotiated the tricky first fence, the partnership hit their rhythm, gathering speed and momentum as the round progressed and their belief grew with each one of Jufer’s risky requests successfully delivered by the game little mare. A daring flyer to the last saw them catapult up the leaderboard with a time of 41.58 seconds which secured them second place and 17 points.
Niels Bruynseels (BEL) finished in third place with Delux van T & L whilst Patrik Stühlmeyer dropped one place to finish in fourth with Baloutaire PS. Penelope Leprevost’s flawless performance was rewarded with fifth place and Gilles Thomas (BEL) secured sixth with the fastest four-fault round of the jump-off aboard his Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ of Mechelen winning partner, Qalista DN.
A delighted Alain Jufer explained that he had a feeling that “today was going to be my day!”
“In the jump-off I didn’t listen to my trainer, and I kept the gas full on – it was good!” he exclaimed with a cheeky smile.
The podium was filled with three sensational horses in their prime at various stages of their teenage years. Delux van T & L, the eldest of those at 17 years old, looked an absolute picture of health and fitness on his comeback to top level. His third-place finish here was a hugely emotional result for Niels Bruynseels (BEL) and his team:
“It was a long way to get him back fit. There was a moment that we thought, should we leave it? Because for us he is part of the family. Then suddenly he was happy again, fit again and now it’s like he’s in his best years,” Bruynseels beamed.
Explaining Delux van T&L’s incredible form, performance and condition that belie his years, he passed praise back to his team – from owners, to grooms, staff and wider connections.
“It’s thanks to everybody that worked for it. Anything we get extra now is just that, it’s just an extra,” Bruynseels said with a smile that told just how much this horse means to him and his connections.
Epaillard is a great advocate of the show put on by Jumping Amsterdam and was full of praise for the venue, facilities and knowledge of the people who make up the sold-out stands for each day of world-class jumping. “It’s always nice to come here. Everything is nice for the athletes; the horses and the atmosphere is super. I always try to come here with my horses in good form and try to give my best ride here.”
“It’s always nice to come here. Everything is nice for the athletes; the horses and the atmosphere is super. I always try to come here with my horses in good form and try to give my best ride here.” Julien Epaillard (FRA)
He went on to explain:
“The Dutch people know a lot about horses and Dutch athletes are super level, so it’s always good for me to come here and see if I’m in a good way or in the wrong way!”
His performance here tonight confirmed, as it did two years ago, that the Flying Frenchman and his equally competitive homebred partner Donatello D’Auge are indeed, once again, in electrifying form. Today’s win fires Epaillard to the top of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League 2025/2026 standings with just two legs remaining, and guarantees the formidable Frenchman his place in Fort Worth and a shot at defending his Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ title.
Bordeaux (FRA) is the next stop on the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League as the French city welcomes the series for leg 11 on 25 January 2026. Gothenburg (SWE) will stage leg 12 on 08 February 2026 before Helsinki (FIN) stages the 13th and final qualifier of the 2025/2026 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Western European League on 22 February 2026.
Final Results – €172,500 Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ – Amsterdam CSI 5*-W, presented by RAI Amsterdam
1) Julien Epaillard (FRA) & Donatello d’Auge – 0 / 0 – 39.87
2) Alain Jufer (SUI) & Dante MM – 0 / 0 – 41.58
3) Niels Bruynseels (BEL) & Delux van T&L – 0 / 0 – 42.71
Source: Press Release by Alice Watson for the FEI – Fédération Équestre Internationale
Photos: © FEI / Leanjo de Koster
