Paris, France – March 22, 2026 – Riding Hello Chadora Lady, Scottish rider Scott Brash (GBR), world No.1, took victory in the €400,000 Saut Hermès Grand Prix CSI 5*, the grand finale of a three-day competition showcasing top-level sport within the sublime setting of the Grand Palais and its historic glass roof, which was bathed in sunshine from start to finish.
An absolute masterclass. Briton Scott Brash (GBR) lived up to expectations once more. Indeed, having secured the world number 1 ranking again a few months ago, the double Olympic team champion (2012 and 2024) and winner of all the major events worldwide for nearly two decades, focused his attention on the Grand Prix Hermès to round off the indoor season. Riding Hello Chadora Lady, a 13-year-old mare, which has treated him to a string of successes over recent months, Brash nailed the jump-off to give Great Britain its first victory under the glass roof of the Grand Palais. The win will go down in history as the horse and rider combination did not drop even a hundredth of a second, optimising every stride and cutting every corner to produce a masterclass.
Swiss rider Martin Fuchs (SUI) on Conner Jei, was the first of six pairs to launch into the jump-off after an unusual first round designed by Spaniard Santiago Varela Ullastres (ESP), which notably included three double fences, two of them consecutive and just three strides apart. Despite setting a high standard, the world number 1 brought his A game to shave 1”03 off the Swiss rider’s time. Another reference time, it proved to be unbeatable on this occasion.
With Mr. Tac, owned by the Mégret family, victorious in this Grand Prix in 2023 with Luxembourg rider Victor Bettendorf, Dutchman Harrie Smolders (NED) went all out… but had to settle for second place, tied on points with Fuchs. The podium remained unchanged from then on.
Winner of three World Cup rounds over the past winter, Dutchman Willem Greve (NED), riding Grandorado, had to make do with fourth place this time, ahead of Belgian rider Thibeau Spits (BEL), world No.1 in the U25 category, and the unstoppable Norwegian, Geir Gulliksen (NOR), 66 years of age!
“I’m absolutely delighted. Chadora was exceptional today on what was a very special and pretty unique course designed by Santiago, as well as being very respectful of the horse, enthused Brash. Chadora secured a number of wins in Doha over the winter and had already jumped very well in the Grand Prix at the Dutch Masters a week ago, though we were a little unlucky with one fault. My strategy here was to do one minor class and then focus all my attention on this very fine Grand Prix Hermès. Thank you to everyone who makes this incredible competition possible.”
Second, but still with a big smile on his face, Martin Fuchs (SUI) also had plenty to be happy about. “Even though I was the only one to go clear in the first round for a long time, looking at the starting list, I was well aware that others would join me and I was ready for the jump-off, explains Fuchs. I’m thrilled with this second place in Paris with Conner Jei. Now I have my sights on the World Cup final in Texas in April, which is one of my main goals (Fuchs triumphed there in 2022).”
There was also a sense of satisfaction for Harrie Smolders (NED), world No.17 (No.1 Dutchman). “It was Mr. Tac’s return to five-star competition and obviously I can only be delighted by this second place. Thank you to the Mégret family who own Mr. Tac for entrusting me with this incredible horse.”
Final Results – €400,000 Hermès Grand Prix CSI 5*
1) Scott Brash (GBR) & Hello Chadora Lady – 0 / 0 – 32.32
2) Martin Fuchs (SUI) & Conner Jei – 0 / 0 – 33.35
2) Harrie Smolders (NED) & Mr. Tac – 0 / 0 – 33. 35
Source: Press Release from Saut Hermès
Photos: © Saut Hermès / Christophe Tanière
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