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Pacific Saddlery won't be attending a show this week before heading to National Sunshine I (Premier – J6) in Thermal next week, but the sport offered no shortage of inspiration. From history-making performances in Rabat to fearless firsts under Oslo’s bright lights, the past week reminded me how courage often finds its stage in unexpected moments. Here are the five that lingered with me most.
Last week's highlights:
Anastasia Nielsen (MON) & Action Man - LGCT Rabat - Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rabat
Sanne Thijssen (NED) & Cupcake Z - Agria Oslo Horse Show - Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Grand Prix
Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) & Gadget Mouche - MLSJ Tryon - Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix
Jules van Hoydonck (BEL) & Minte vd Bisschop - Agria Oslo Horse Show - Rikstoto Grand Prix
Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) & Iron Dames High Level - LGCT Rabat - 1.50 m Class Presented by the Moroccan Olympic Committee
From dream to disbelief, Anastasia Nielsen (MON) and her trusted Action Man lit up Rabat with a performance that felt straight out of a fairy tale. At just nineteen, the young rider didn’t merely hold her own among the sport’s elite, she conquered them. In her first-ever 1.60 m clear, Nielsen delivered two immaculate rounds to win the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Rabat, becoming the youngest winner in LGCT history. The Moroccan crowd roared as she galloped through the finish, scarcely believing what they’d seen. Behind her, seasoned stars like Andreas Schou (DEN) looked on with admiration as experience bowed to fearless instinct. Moments like this remind me why we follow the sport, when raw talent, composure, and heart collide to create something unforgettable.
Official Results
The Agria Oslo Horse Show carried its own kind of electricity. The Nordic autumn air, a packed indoor crowd, and the season’s first World Cup leg made for a thrilling mix. Into that charged atmosphere rode Sanne Thijssen (NED) with her fiery Cupcake Z, drawn first in an eleven-horse jump-off. That position is rarely an advantage, but Thijssen turned it into art. Setting a time that looked untouchable, she watched every challenger come close and fall short, claiming Oslo’s CSI5-W Grand Prix* in dazzling style. The last female winner here was a decade ago, and Thijssen’s grin said she knew exactly what that meant. The cheers felt closer to a concert than a horse show, proof that brilliance under pressure still captures us all.
Official Results
Back in the U.S., the Major League Show Jumping Grand Prix at Tryon brought its own kind of tension. Nicola Philippaerts (BEL) and his nine-year-old Gadget Mouche produced a smooth, clock-perfect round to edge Shane Sweetnam (IRL) by two-tenths of a second, with Kent Farrington (USA) the current World No. 1 settling for third. Under the floodlights, Philippaerts’ focus never wavered as he captured his first MLSJ Grand Prix victory and a generous share of the $340,000 purse. What struck me most was his quiet celebration afterward, a simple handshake and a deep breath that seemed to say finally. It was a triumph of patience rewarded, and a reminder that confidence often lives just beneath composure.
Official Results
Not far behind in excitement was the CSI5-W Rikstoto Grand Prix*, also under Oslo’s glowing indoor lights. Jules van Hoydonck (BEL) and Minte vd Bisschop produced a round of precision and daring to win from an eleven-horse jump-off stacked with experience. His 35.40-second finish just edged Joe Stockdale (GBR) and sent a ripple of Belgian flags through the stands. Oslo has long been a stage where new names rise, and van Hoydonck’s calm confidence made it clear he belonged there. The crowd’s reaction, half gasp, half ovation, captured that moment when a rising rider takes their first real claim on the spotlight.
Official Results
Of course, another highlight was watching Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann (GER) and Iron Dames High Level soar to victory in the CSI5 1.50 m class presented by the Moroccan Olympic Committee*. Few partnerships capture the sport’s spirit like this one, a rider known for precision, a mare brimming with courage, and the unmistakable pink jacket of the Iron Dames. Against Christian Ahlmann (GER) and a field full of world-class names, Janne dared one less stride to the last fence and made it count. The Rabat crowd rose as she crossed the finish, the air thick with celebration and admiration. It was show jumping distilled to its purest form, commitment meeting grace in motion.
Official Results
Reflection
What quietly linked these moments was the sense of timing. Not just in jump-offs or split seconds, but in lives and careers, meeting the right instant. Whether it was a teenager finding her first 1.60 m clear, a veteran trusting one bold stride, or a calm newcomer stealing a Saturday night, each story hinged on perfect timing. Those fleeting seconds remind me how much of this sport is about knowing when to trust yourself completely.
