Gilles Thomas and Ermitage Kalone Conquer Paris in Flawless Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix Victory

In a moment destined for the history books, Gilles Thomas and the exceptional Ermitage Kalone delivered a performance of pure brilliance to win the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Paris 2025 presented by Ville de Paris.

With the Eiffel Tower rising majestically over the Champ de Mars arena, the sold-out crowd witnessed a flawless ride from the Belgian star, who stopped the clock in a lightning-fast 42.92s in the jump-off. The victory as last to go not only secured his golden ticket to the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix in Prague, but reaffirmed his place as a true force in the Championship race extending his lead.

Joining Thomas on the podium were two world-class athletes with stellar performances of their own. Lillie Keenan and her long-time partner Fasther delivered a clinical double clear in 44.59s, showing incredible control and maturity under pressure while Denis Lynch rounded off the top three with Mr Boombastic, piloting the 11-year-old gelding to a steady double clear in 52.70s, ensuring another strong result in his 2025 campaign.

A long awaited, career defining win that clearly means so much to so many, Gilles Thomas shared, “It’s a special moment, before I went in, I knew that there was one quick combination to beat, so I had to decide if I went in to win or for the podium and stay clear, but Niels Bruynseels convinced me it was beatable… so I went for it.” 

He went on to add, “as the last starter in the jump off and you know straight away that you have the win is an incredible feeling, the atmosphere here is pretty nice…”

On securing his Super Grand Prix qualification: “I was very close in Shanghai and also last week in St. Tropez aswell, i didnt really think about it but i knew my main goal was to win this Grand Prix and the rest comes but the ticket comes for Prague and that’s a nice extra plus.“

An emotional Lillie Keenan speaking of her equine partner Fasther, told GCTV. “I didn't know if I would ever make it back here with him again, he suffered a couple of injuries along the way, he's a real fighter and honestly he feels better than ever. To be beaten by arguably the best horse in the world is a pretty great day.”

Third place Denis Lynch was considerate of his cornerstone to competing in the individual championship of the Longiens Global Champions Tour when he acknowledged the part played by owner of New York Empire, Georgina Bloomberg, when he said,  “I’m here for New York Empire, so I ride with my focus on them, and what comes after them is a bonus.”

He went on to add, “A fantastic atmosphere, but always the French are, they’re very knowledgeable and real horse country.” 

Championship Shake-Up

After Paris, the 2025 Longines Global Champions Tour Championship standings are heating up as we approach the halfway mark:

• Gilles Thomas – 160 points
• Simon Delestre – 118.2 points
• Denis Lynch – 112.2 points
• Scott Brash – 101 points
• Andreas Schou – 95 points

A Course that Demanded the Best

Only seven riders from the original 40 starters progressed to the jump-off after a demanding first round designed by Gregory Bodo, with tight lines and a testing time forcing errors from even the most experienced of combinations.

Shock eliminations included Victor Bettendorf and Gibbs Un Prince who had two refusals at the wall and Henrik von Eckermann with Minute Man who retired mid-course. Top names were kept out of the jump-off with just a single rail down from Jack Whitaker, Jérôme Guery, Marcus Ehning, Pieter Devos and Niels Bruynseels. 

Championship leader Gilles Thomas stayed cool and consistent with head turning Ermitage Kalone, while two-time LGCT Grand Prix of Paris winner Christian Ahlmann also impressed with his rising star Dourkhan Hero Z, though the pair missed out on the jump-off after a light rail late in the round.

The jump-off brought elite names head-to-head in a thrilling finale.

In a League of Their Own

First to go Nicola Philippaerts and Moya vd Bisschop took all the risks, the whole crowd was behind them but an unlucky two rails including the last fence knocked their chances of the win today. 

Having already podiumed in Paris before, Lillie Keenan had her heart set on top spot. She was rapid from start to finish to post the first double clear on Fasther. After an emotional reaction from jumping clear jump off round she was beaming as the clock stopped 44.59 seconds. 

It wasn’t Natalie Dean’s day as two poles fell with Crescendo MB Z dropping her down the order and the poles kept falling as Katrin Eckermann and Iron Dames Cydello had the last fence after giving it their all finishing with four faults in 42.45 seconds. 

With the LGCT Championship in mind, Denis Lynch and Mr Boombastic played a tactical game of a steady clear. They were calculated after watching poles fall wanting a podium spot to cross the line clear in 52.70 seconds. 

Two time LGCT Grand Prix of Paris winner Christian Ahlmann was aiming to make history to take top spot for a third time. He misjudged the wall which resulted in a stop and then costly time faults to total 9 faults.

Last to go LGCT Championship leader, Gilles Thomas, and the famous Ermitage Kalone left nothing in the tank. They put the pedal to the metal from start to finish taking the tightest turns and strides out where possible. It paid off and the crowd erupted when they crossed the finish line in almost two seconds faster, in 42.92 seconds, as they punched the air under the Eiffel Tower.

From the outset, Gilles and Ermitage were in total harmony. Smooth, scopey, and in sync at every stride, they were in a league of their own in the jump-off – clear, composed, and commanding. The pair have long been tipped for this level of success, and tonight, they made good on every expectation.

From the glamour of Paris to the glitz of Monte Carlo -  the Longines Global Champions Tour continues with Stage 8 in Monaco, running 3 - 5 July. As the 2025 Championship reaches its midpoint, every point matters, and the pressure only intensifies.

RELIVE THE FULL CLASS REPLAY + EXCLUSIVE RIDER INTERVIEWS ON GCTV NOW – the best seat in show jumping.