German double victory in the Grand Prix at the Nations Cup weekend in Ocala, Florida

Only seven pairs reached the jump-off in the Grand Prix of Ocala 2026, designed by Alan Wade, including two Germans, the Derby-winning pair André Thieme/Paule S and Olympic champion Christian Kukuk on Fantasia de Wy.

Christian Kukuk had already ridden the eleven-year-old Selle Français mare Fantasia de Wy (by Armitages Boy) several times in Florida in the spring of 2025 and also placed well with her in Ocala on the same weekend a year ago. Fantasia then did not compete at any international shows for several months before Kathrin Stolmeijer brought her back into the sport at the “training shows” in Bonheiden and Riesenbeck. Kukuk was back in the saddle in Wellington in January. Yesterday was the third five-star Grand Prix in the mare’s life, in the first she had 16 faults, in the second eight and now zero – twice.

The pricking

Kukuk and Fantasia de Wy were the first pair in the jump-off and it was clear from the first jump: the ex-Riesenbecker was not interested in letting his horse gain experience first. With a time of 42.14, they set a time that André Thieme later said: “When I saw Christian, I knew it would be very difficult to beat.”

In any case, neither Natalie Dean (USA) on Mr. Boombastic nor Sanne Thijssen (NED) with Cupcake Z or Aaron Vale (USA) in the saddle on Carissimo succeeded.

Then it was the turn of Thieme and his Derby winner. The twelve-year-old son of Perigueux gave his all and succeeded: zero faults, 41.85 seconds, new lead.

The following pair, Barbara Schneider/Canice, neither made it to the finish without any faults nor were they even remotely fast enough to prevent the German double victory.

France’s Nina Mallevaey – currently the best rider in the world and a student of Helena Stormanns – was the last pair to have the chance to jump to the top in the saddle on Nikka vd Bisschop. The 2025 European Championship duo remained clear and were fast at 42.49 seconds, but not fast enough.

Three Germans in the money

In the end, André Thieme took the 105,000 euro prize money. Kukuk came second and Mallevaey third. Aaron Vale and Natalie Dean flew the flag for the hosts in fourth and fifth place.

Among the winners were ‘s-Hertogenbosch winner Richard Vogel and the nine-year-old Westphalian stallion Abou-Chaker. The son of Alaba, bred by Otmar Eckermann, was previously ridden by Sophie Hinners and has been ridden by Vogel since the beginning of the year. Two weeks ago, they finished eighth in a 5* Grand Prix in Wellington with two knockdowns in the jump-off. Last night in Ocala, they finished twelfth after a brisk four-fault round.

Between genius and madness

André Thieme said later: “I really wanted to win. I was placed in every single Grand Prix this year and each time I didn’t take enough risks in the jump-off. I thought, okay, this is the last chance. I took a chance and it worked out.”

There is no question for him that his Paule S is a horse that has all the qualities for a victory of this kind, but:

“A few years ago, I thought: let’s see if he finally has the necessary composure to be successful in sport. He always had the strength and the technique. He has everything it takes to be successful at five-star level.” The problem: “He is very, very temperamental. There’s a fine line between him getting too wild, too hot and too strong. He has energy for five horses. But now he has won so many five-star national prizes and has been successful around the globe. This is not his first big success. So he has proven it. I’m very happy for him.”

Outlook

On paper, the Germans have been the favorites to win the Nations Cup on Saturday evening since yesterday evening at the latest. But the cards will be reshuffled with new horses and new challenges. These come from the hosts, among others. Natalie Dean and Aaron Vale also demonstrated yesterday that they are in top form. Together with Laura Kraut and Lillie Keenan, they are the defending champions. Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands and Switzerland are also in action in Ocala.

All starter lists and results can be found here.