Must Watch Moment St. Tropez: Qalista DN’s Sensational 1.60m 5* Grand Prix Debut in St. Tropez

In a weekend defined by world-class talent and razor-thin margins, one of the most talked-about performances didn’t come from a household name - but from a 9-year-old mare making her 1.60m 5* Grand Prix and Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix debut.

Qalista DN, ridden by Belgium’s Gilles Thomas, delivered a performance that marked her as one of the most exciting young horses on the Longines Global Champions Tour circuit. Facing down an elite field in the LGCT Grand Prix of Ramatuelle, St. Tropez, Qalista held her own in spectacular style.

Bred from Emerald van ’t Ruytershof - winner of the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Chantilly in 2017 with Harrie Smolders - and Ulricke Van ’t Paradys, Qalista is the half-sister of Delux van T&L, a proven LGCT Grand Prix winner under Niels Bruynseels. That same power and class was on full display in St. Tropez.

Having already taken a win earlier in the week in the GCL team class with Valkenswaard United, Qalista stepped into her first-ever 5* 1.60m Grand Prix, and debut LGCT Grand Prix and soared into the jump-off as the youngest horse in the final round - one of only two 9-year-olds in the class (alongside Untouched LB with Christian Ahlmann).

In a jump-off packed with seasoned stars, Qalista and Thomas stopped the clock just 0.16 seconds off the podium - finishing fourth behind veteran campaigners Julien Epaillard and Donatello d’Auge and a spot on the podium.

For a mare still new to the five-star level, it was a breakout moment that signalled the arrival of a future superstar on the world stage.

As the sun set on Pampelonne Beach, this debut performance didn’t just turn heads—it announced the arrival of a new Grand Prix star.

Watch the Full Class Replay on GCTV, and relive all the action from LGCT St. Tropez.