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We’re heading back to Temecula Valley this week for National Fall II (National J5), one of our favorite stops on the West Coast circuit. The energy there is always special: crisp autumn mornings, the hum of anticipation around the Grand Prix ring, and familiar faces from across California.
As the season deepens into autumn, the energy of the global circuit feels more alive than ever. Between Barcelona’s roaring crowds, Morocco’s royal flair, and a boutique gem in New York, this week’s showjumping was all heart and precision. These are the five moments that stayed with me most, the ones that felt bigger than just results.
My favorite classes this week:
Few finishes this year have felt as electric as the Longines League of Nations™ Final at CSIO Barcelona (ESP), where Great Britain edged Ireland by the narrowest of margins — just 0.23 seconds in a rare jump-off for the team title. The stage was set beneath the floodlights of the Real Club de Polo, a venue steeped in prestige and tension, with both nations tied after two immaculate rounds. When Scott Brash (GBR) galloped through the timers aboard Hello Valentino, the grandstands erupted in disbelief and pride, a moment that seemed to suspend time. The win carried emotional weight for the British squad, who summoned composure and unity to reclaim the title against a fiercely consistent Irish team led by Billy Twomey. Nights like this remind us why Barcelona remains one of showjumping’s true emotional arenas, where national pride and raw athletic brilliance collide.
Official Results
Not far behind in excitement was Scott Brash (GBR) again, this time with the magnificent Hello Folie, taking victory in Friday’s CSIO5 1.60m Grand Prix of the City of Barcelona*. Against a six-horse jump-off, Brash and Folie were poetry in motion, their rhythm and trust captivating the crowd under the Catalonian night sky. Alex Matz (USA) and Ikigai pushed hard, but Brash’s effortless connection with Folie carried them through to a flawless finish. It was his second major five-star triumph of the year, but more than that, it was a performance that glowed with harmony and experience. The crowd’s ovation felt less like applause and more like gratitude for witnessing something so finely tuned.
Official Results
Of course, another highlight for me was the emotional breakthrough of Tim Brennan (IRL) in El Jadida (MAR), where he captured his first-ever four-star Grand Prix win in the CSI4-W 1.55m Grand Prix of His Majesty King Mohammed VI* aboard Diadema Della Caccia. Under the lights of Morocco’s Royal Tour, Brennan rode with elegant restraint, combining steady calculation with heart. His understated disbelief at the end said everything — years of persistence suddenly rewarded. The Moroccan crowd responded with thunderous warmth, honoring not just a winner but a craftsman of the sport. This was one of those rare nights where sport transcended borders, and everyone felt part of the moment.
Official Results
Back in the U.S., the Silo Ridge Masters (NY) brought its own kind of sparkle as Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Let’s Fly (NED-bred) captured the CSI3 Stoneleaf Jumper Classic*. From the polished grass rings to the lively evening crowd, the setting felt more like a celebration than a competition. Ballard, ever precise, rode the line between instinct and control, trusting her mount’s natural quickness in a ten-horse jump-off. What stayed with me most was the atmosphere — that blend of sophistication and camaraderie that defines the best American boutique shows. Her win felt like a salute to all the quiet, confident rounds that build champions.
Official Results
Finally, Emanuele Gaudiano (ITA) and Julius.D lit up the same Moroccan stage earlier in the week, flying to victory in the CSI4-W 1.50m ANCFCC Prize*. Known for his speed and nerve, Gaudiano stopped the clock at 63.32 seconds, leaving Joe Whitaker (GBR) chasing shadows. The crowd’s energy was electric — that rare mix of awe and appreciation that only pure, fearless riding can provoke. Watching Gaudiano in motion is like watching instinct take physical form; every turn, every stride perfectly judged. It was a masterclass that set the tone for a spectacular weekend in El Jadida.
Official Results
