Years in the waiting, and when it finally came, it was one for the history books at Dinard.
Steve Guerdat (SUI), three-time Olympic medallist and former world No. 1, claimed the Derby Saur CSI3* 1.45m at the Jumping International de Dinard, designed by Jean-François Morand, with 15 combinations on the demanding grass track and €40,000 in prize money. Guerdat crossed the finish in 155.19 seconds to claim a victory he had been chasing for years at this show. Strategy was key: “Easy Star is not naturally the fastest; you had to build a different strategy, never push him to the limit and find the right balance on such a long and demanding class.”
Easy Star de Talma is a 12-year-old bay SF stallion (Quick Star x Opium de Talma), owned by Jalal-Gaston Battikha, a victory that Guerdat describes as special: “Some victories are worth a little more than others. This one is one of them.”
Armando Trapote (ESP) finished second with Caept’n Hook, a 12-year-old grey OS gelding (Conthargos x Calido I) owned by Yeguada Valbanera S.L., completing the demanding track in 160.81 seconds. Alberto Sánchez-Cózar (MEX) completed the podium in third with Giovani de Perhet, a 10-year-old bay SF stallion (Kannan x Dollar du Murier) owned by Sport Horses Sanchez-Cozar S.A. de C.V., in 169.19 seconds, an outstanding performance by the Mexican rider in the most demanding Derby of the show.
Thibeau Spits (BEL) finished fourth with Quendelin van’t Merelsnest, a 10-year-old chestnut BWP mare (Kannan x Darco) owned by Walter Van Bunder, in 169.77 seconds. Nicolas Layec (FRA) rounded out the Top 5 with Georgio Louvo Z, a 10-year-old bay Zangersheide gelding (George x Quintus d’09) owned by Bruno Rocuet and Mario Zindel, with 4 faults in 150.15 seconds.
Latin & Pan American Presence
Alberto Sánchez-Cózar (MEX) was the outstanding Latin and Pan American performer of the day with an extraordinary third place in the most demanding Derby of the Jumping International de Dinard. Kristen Vanderveen (USA) retired on the difficult and highly demanding track.
Top 5 Results — Derby Saur CSI3* 1.45m | Jumping International de Dinard 2026
| Pos. | Athlete | Horse | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Guerdat (SUI) 🇨🇭 | Easy Star de Talma | 155.19 |
| 2 | Armando Trapote (ESP) 🇪🇸 | Caept’n Hook | 160.81 |
| 3 | Alberto Sánchez-Cózar (MEX) 🇲🇽 | Giovani de Perhet | 169.19 |
| 4 | Thibeau Spits (BEL) 🇧🇪 | Quendelin van’t Merelsnest | 169.77 |
| 5 | Nicolas Layec (FRA) 🇫🇷 | Georgio Louvo Z | 4 / 150.15 |
