Pauline Basquin is the 2026 French Grand Prix Champion

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2026 French Grand Prix Championships

Pauline Basquin and Sertorius de Rima Z became the winner of the 2026 French Grand Prix Championships in Vierzon on 22 - 24 May 2026.

The Big Tour nationals were held at the La Picardière facilities and presented an interesting podium with French stalwart Pauline Basquin on top and two newcomers in silver and bronze position. Twelve riders participated (compard to 16 in 2025), but many French top riders were absent from this event, including Alexandre Ayache, Anne Sophie and Arnaud Serre, Corentin Pottier and Camille Judet Cheret, Bernard Bosseaux, Marc Boblet, Morgan Barbancon, amongst others. The national championships are an observation trial for team selection for the upcoming World Championships in Aachen.

Four years after winning her first title in 2022, Pauline Basquin and the 16-year old Zangersheide registered Sertorius de Rima Z (by Sandro Hit x Voltaire) claimed their second this weekend. The pair was the only one to score over 70% in the two rounds with 70.587% in the Grand Prix and 70.277% in the Special.

"I really love this competition; there’s a great atmosphere of mutual support among the riders, and it’s always a pleasure," said Basquin. "I’m very proud of my horse. He’s so generous, he always wants to do well and he’s always there for me. When I enter the arena, I know he won’t let me down. I chose to ride him in a snaffle bit this weekend because I wanted to show that you can perform at this level like that. It helps me particularly with the piaffe – in fact, we saw that he was a bit better. It was a lovely experience. Last year we’d lost a bit of confidence. Riding him with a snaffle bit also helped me reassure him. He can enjoy himself just like in previous years. Between now and the World Championships, which are my season’s goal, I’ll be competing in the Nations Cup in Hagen (GER) and probably another competition yet to be decided.”

The silver medal went to France's shooting star of the moment, Rachel Bastady on the 14-year old Oldenburg mare Quintesse (by Quaterback x Silvio). The pair already left an impression at the CDIO Fontainebleau and are clearly upward trending. They scored 67.805 % in the Grand Prix and 68.617% in the Special to finish second overall.

Former French team rider Pierre Volla and his new rising star, 10-year old Portuguese crossbred Malcom X De Massa (by Galopin de la Font x San Amour), got the bronze medal. They scored 65.674% and 69.511%.

Team trainer Jean Morel is optimistic about the future of French Dressage. “We saw several very promising horses today, who are on the rise, and we will be testing them in the coming months at international competitions with a view to future selections for the French national team,” he explained.

Photos © PSV

Results - 2026 French Grand Prix Championships - Vierzon

1. Pauline Basquin - Sertorius De Rima Z - 70.587 70.277 ---- 140.864
2. Rachel Bastady - Quintesse - 67.805 68.617 ---- 136.422
3. Pierre Volla - Malcom X De Massa - 65.674 69.511 ---- 135.185
4. Mathieu Berville - Fragolino Du Parc - 68.891 65.894 ---- 134.785
5. Alizee Roussel - Bel Amour - 66.935 66.979 ---- 133.914
6. Gilles Siauve - Feneton - 66.609 66.149 ---- 132.758
7 Bertrand Liegard - Ginger - 65.326 66.298 ---- 131.624 .
8. Caroline Godin. - Querida De Hus - 65.478 63.255 ---- 128.733
9. Lena Thouvenin - Diamondgio - 64.522 61.958 ---- 126.480
10. Lana Portejoie - Last Minute - 63.000 62.149 ---- 125.149
11. Coline Negrel - Enjoy - 61.587 58.702 ---- 120.289
12. Livia Gallego - Calypso De Massa - 60.043 58.702 ---- 118.745
Evelyne Fleck - Domino De Merlieux - DNS
Stephane Mazzacco - Wizard - DNS
Marine Valot - Baltus Fleurville - DNS