Riviera Rocket: Nallon Lands PremiuMares Glory in St Tropez

The Longines Global Champions Tour of Ramatuelle, St. Tropez delivered another unforgettable showdown on Friday afternoon as the CSI5* 1.50m PremiuMares Jump-Off class after a breathtaking battle between 16 world-class combinations.

In a finish separated by just 0.13 seconds, Ireland's Ciaran Nallon and Megalon K stormed to victory with a blistering double clear in 34.77 seconds. Germany's Katrin Eckermann and Iron Dames Cascajall NRW pushed them all the way to finish second in 34.90 seconds, while French hopes were carried onto the podium by Cédric Angot and Gandor du Fief, who secured third place with a superb clear round in 37.04 seconds.

With a packed grandstand overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean coastline, the jump-off became a pure race against the clock where every stride, every turn and every risk carried enormous consequences. Joined by PremiuMares Founder Milena Pappas in prize giving to congratulate top three it was an evening of pure excitement from start to finish. 

“If I hadn't been watching Katrin’s round I don’t think I’d have taken the risk!” Ciaran Nallon of Beerbaum stables exclaimed whilst preparing for the prize giving.

The Irishman was truly pedal to the metal aboard Megalon K who flew around the Uliano Vezzani designed course 0.13 seconds than leader Katrin Eckermann. “I’m super proud of our mare, she tried her heart out and with the whistles from hospitality I knew I was in with a chance as I galloped to the last.”

“Taking the win yesterday, and again today… I think under the south of France sun might just be our lucky charm.”

How the jump-off played out…

Drawn first, Peder Fredricson immediately laid down a serious marker aboard SV Vroom de la Pomme Z. Taking a stride out between fences one and two, the Swedish star saved valuable time in the air and produced the kind of smooth, economical round that has become his trademark. The clear stopped the clock at 40.07 seconds, setting the benchmark for everyone to chase.

The challenge looked vulnerable almost immediately as Longines Ambassador of Elegance Jane Richard entered aboard Aequitus vh Bergerhof Z. Two costly rails at the influential Barnes oxer and the final fence resulted in 8 faults, but her time of 39.21 seconds proved there was plenty more speed available around the track.

Next to attack was Max Kühner aboard Kurt D Z. The Austrian never lifted his foot off the accelerator and looked destined to challenge for the lead before heartbreak struck at the final fence. The rail fell, leaving him on 4 faults in 37.58 seconds. A stylish performance followed from Angelica Augustsson Zanotelli and Kings Rose Dree Boeken. The pair produced a polished double clear, but despite stopping the clock in 41.12 seconds, they couldn't quite match Fredricson's pace.

British rider Oliver Fletcher looked competitive throughout aboard Hello William, but arriving slightly deep to the third-last fence resulted in a costly rail. He crossed the line on 4 faults in 38.83 seconds. Then came the first major shift in momentum. Making it look almost effortless, Niels Bruynseels and Chacco's Lando OL used their enormous stride to devastating effect. The Belgian combination stopped the clock in 39.08 seconds, a full 0.99 seconds faster than Fredricson to take over the lead.

The pressure continued to build when Robin Muhr and Foud'Joie de Stel entered the arena. Looking well on track for a podium finish, a rail at the penultimate fence dropped them onto 4 faults in 39.89 seconds.

Then the temperature really rose.

Throwing caution to the wind, Maikel van der Vleuten attacked every angle aboard Jesther. Tight turns and relentless forward riding paid off spectacularly as the Dutchman flew through the finish in 38.00 seconds, taking a huge 1.08 seconds off Bruynseels' leading time.

Fresh from last week's LGCT Grand Prix runner up in Cannes, Michael Pender looked determined to continue his incredible form aboard HHS Cyprus. Unfortunately, the Barnes red oxer claimed another victim and four faults in 44.69 seconds ended his challenge.

Spanish veteran Sergio Alvarez Moya looked every bit as quick as the leader aboard Be Blue, but a rail coming out of the double combination resulted in 4 faults in 37.83 seconds, leaving him frustratingly off the podium despite the pace. For Denis Lynch, the challenge was effectively over before it had begun. A rail at the very first fence aboard Chicago immediately put him on the back foot, eventually finishing on 4 faults in 38.88 seconds.

Then came the round that made everyone in St Tropez stop and watch.

Launching out of the start box like she was chasing pole position, Katrin Eckermann and Iron Dames Cascajall NRW delivered a masterclass in aggressive jump-off riding. An outrageous turnback had spectators gasping as she carved through the track, stopping the clock in a sensational 34.90 seconds. More than three seconds faster than van der Vleuten, it felt almost untouchable.

Surely nobody could beat that.

But then came Ciaran Nallon.

Knowing exactly what was required, the Irishman threw everything at the challenge aboard Megalon K. Every distance was attacked, every turn committed, and the huge-striding gelding devoured the ground. As they flashed through the timers, the scoreboard revealed the unbelievable: 34.77 seconds.

Just 0.13 seconds faster. The grandstands erupted.

Belgium's final hope rested with Olivier Philippaerts and Ragazzo AV, but a rail coming out of the double combination ended his chances, leaving him on 4 faults in 37.84 seconds.

Still plenty to admire from Anastasia Nielsen and Dark Chocolate 48, who delivered a neat double clear in 40.54 seconds, although the pace of the leaders proved out of reach.

That left just one challenger.

French hopes rested on the shoulders of Cédric Angot and Gandor du Fief as the final combination into the arena. The home crowd found its voice as he set off in pursuit of the lead. Giving absolutely everything, he produced a superb clear round, but despite an excellent time of 37.04 seconds, it wasn't enough to threaten the flying Irishman.

As the sun began to set over the Riviera, it was Ciaran Nallon and Megalon K who stood atop the podium after one of the most thrilling jump-offs of the season. With just 0.13 seconds separating first and second, the Premiumares class once again proved that at the highest level of the sport, victory can be decided by the smallest of margins.

Catch every moment again on demand with the replay of the Premiumares Jump-Off class, available now on GCTV.

But the biggest test is still to come. Tomorrow evening, all eyes turn to the Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of Ramatuelle, St. Tropez, as the world's best riders go head-to-head under the Riviera lights from 17:30 local time.

Championship points, prestige and a place in LGCT history are on the line. You won't want to miss this one.