The CSI4* in Mâcon Chaintré had promised top sport. What it delivered was a masterclass from Grégory Cottard. Against a stacked field and a nine-horse jump-off, the French rider dominated the Grand Prix of the City of Mâcon aboard Hold Up de Valème, leaving John Whitaker nearly four seconds behind. But beyond the victory lies the story of a homebred horse, a show that has become a benchmark on the circuit… and plenty of emotion.
Cottard Wrapped Up the Jump-Off Before It Had Really Started
The jump-off had barely begun when Grégory Cottard laid down a serious marker. A very serious one.
Riding Hold Up de Valème (Thais de Pegase x Landsturm B), the Frenchman produced a breathtakingly smooth round, attacking every option before stopping the clock at 37.62 seconds — a time that quickly proved untouchable.
Even John Whitaker, one of the sport’s greatest masters against the clock, had no answer.
The British legend eventually finished second aboard Equine America Unick du Francport (Zandor Z x Helios de la Cour Z), ahead of Charlotte Léoni and Cyclone L’Epivent (Ulix x Arpège Pierreville). But the gap said it all: nearly four seconds. At this level, that’s an eternity.
And for Cottard, this victory meant far more than just another Grand Prix win.
“I’m really happy because Hold Up is a horse I bred myself. Seeing him win at this level today is incredibly emotional for me.
The French rider also admitted the win tasted a little like redemption after a frustrating week :
“I lacked a bit of luck earlier this week, so this Grand Prix feels like a bit of revenge.”
A first round that trapped riders without breaking them
Course designer Cédric Longis perfectly captured the spirit of the Mâcon weekend with a track that was technical, clever and fair.
Thirteen fences at 1.55m, several delicate lines, a tight enough time allowed to build pressure… and faults spread throughout the course.
Longis was fully satisfied with the outcome.
“Nine clears and a lot of four-fault rounds, that was exactly my plan. I always try to create small mistakes all around the course.”
And the traps worked.
Olivier Perreau and Himalaya du Temple faulted at fence one. Rick Hemeryck left the final vertical on the floor. Denis Lynch missed the jump-off after a rail at number nine. Roger-Yves Bost finished on eight faults, while Marlon Modolo Zanotelli saw his place in the final disappear because of a single light touch.
Meanwhile, the Whitakers showed all their experience, Mark McAuley delivered an ideal early jump-off round, and Charlotte Léoni quietly continued her rise.
Charlotte Léoni: clear rounds first, speed later
Third place with Cyclone L’Epivent confirmed the growing consistency of the young French rider at this level.
Not yet the fastest, but already one of the most reliable.
« Cette troisième place me fait vraiment plaisir. C’est ici notre deuxième Grand Prix de suite sans faute », rappelait-elle.
Fully aware of her 14-year-old Selle Français gelding’s strengths, Léoni is not rushing the process.
“Cyclone isn’t naturally a very fast horse. We’ll get there eventually in terms of speed, but for now I’m focusing on clear rounds and I’m completely satisfied with that.”
Even John Whitaker already wants to come back
At nearly 71 years old, John Whitaker still moves through international shows like a classic Aston Martin: slightly vintage, endlessly elegant, and still capable of beating most of the field.
The British rider leaves Mâcon with second place and, perhaps more importantly, a horse full of confidence.
« Of course I would have preferred to win, but my horse jumped unbelievably well. ", he added.
Before praising the Burgundy show itself:
« The course was perfect. The whole weekend was excellent. I really hope to come back next year ! »
When a legend like Whitaker is already marking next year’s edition in red on the calendar, it is rarely a bad sign.
Mâcon has entered another dimension
In many ways, the real winner of the weekend may have been the show itself.
Over the last few seasons, the Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré has steadily grown in stature. And this 2026 edition clearly felt like a turning point.
Cédric Longis did not hide his enthusiasm:
“This show has become a reference in terms of facilities and overall quality. For course designers, it’s a fantastic playground.”
The riders shared the same feeling. Sanne Thijssen, winner earlier in the CSI4* 1.45m with Farah Z, described it as “a fantastic show,” praising an organisation that felt “calm, smooth and relaxing.”
And on the organisers’ side, emotion was everywhere.
“There was a huge crowd this afternoon and I think these images will stay with us forever,” said Isabelle Breul, president of Mâcon Chaintré Événements.
With a deep field, packed grandstands and a spectacular Grand Prix, Mâcon is no longer simply another beautiful French CSI.
It has become one of the events riders circle in red on their calendars.
