Riding Paule S, Germany’s Andre Thieme soared to victory in the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN held on Thursday evening as part of the Longines League of Nations Ocala™ at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) in Ocala, FL.
In a field of 38 entries, only seven combinations made their way to the jump-off. First to enter the beautiful WEC arena was reigning Olympic Champion Christian Kukuk of Germany. Riding Fantasia de WY, an 11-year-old Selle Français mare (Armitages Boy x Landsturm) owned by Francisco Pasquel, Kukuk closed in a time of 42.14 seconds. Thieme, riding Paule S., was quick to answer his country fellowman’s performance with a clear round in a time of 41.85 seconds to top the leaderboard.
“I really wanted to win, and after Christian’s ride I knew it was going to be very hard,” shared Thieme. “I was placed in every single grand prix here this year, and every single time, I didn’t take enough risk in the jump-offs. I thought OK, this is the last one in Ocala, so I took that risk, and it worked.”
Andre Thieme and Paule S. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography
Thieme was thrilled with the win and with his horse, a 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Perigueux x Sir Shutterfly) owned by Ronald Meißner and Turnierstall Andre Thieme GmbH. “A few years ago I thought we’ll see if he’s going to be clear-headed enough to finally do the sport because he always had the power, he always had the technique, he has everything it takes to be successful in the five-star sport,” said . “He’s very, very hot-blooded, and he has a very thin line between being too crazy and too hot and too strong; he has the power of five horses. But now he has won so many five-star nations cups, and he has been successful all around the world. This is not the first big grand prix that he’s won, so I have to give it to him. I’m very happy for the horse.”
Reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER) settledfor second this year riding Fantasia de WY for owner Francisco Pasquel. Right: For the second year in a row, Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and Nikka vd Bisschop placed third for Tara Dow-Rein and Rein Family LLC. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography Photos by Andrew Ryback Photography
Behind the two German riders, France’s Nina Mallevaey took third place honors after stopping the clock in 42.49 seconds with the 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare Nikka vd Bisschop (Emerald x Nabab de Reve) owned by Tara Dow-Rein and Rein Family LLC.
Following the one-two finish in the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN, Germany has now earned the spotlight for Saturday’s $770,000 Longines League of Nations™ Ocala team competition. Defending title holders, Team USA (Natalie Dean, Lillie Keenan, Laura Kraut, and Aaron Vale), will certainly give it their all along with teams Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Full results here
Ocala serves as the second of five stops on the prestigious Longines League of Nations™ tour and is the only event held in North America. Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), Rotterdam (NED), and Gassin – St. Tropez (FRA) comprise the Longines League of Nations™ series leading up to the final in Barcelona (ESP) from October 1 to 4, 2026.
Competition at WEC – Ocala continues Friday, March 20, highlighted by the $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Winning Round CSIO5*-LLN beginning at 3 p.m. ET.
By Simona Diale/International Horse Press
