Team PracBordeaux, France—It was an unforgettable evening for Jessica Burke (IRL) at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2025/2026 Western European League in Bordeaux this past Saturday night, as she produced a career-best performance to claim a fairytale victory aboard the sensational gray Good Star du Bary. In doing so, Burke cemented her place in the history books as the first female athlete to win the Bordeaux title.
The stars aligned for the talented partnership, who have made just six World Cup starts together to date. Saturday marked the first time they jumped clear—not once but twice, as the only combination to deliver the coveted double clear for the competition.
For Burke, this victory was clearly emotional and about her belief in the process. “It’s my first World Cup and my first five-star win. My horse is only 10, but he has six World Cups now. Five times one down, but today we were clear,” she said. “To have patience and wait for your day to come is very hard, so the fact that it has come, I don’t think it’s sunk in yet to be honest.”
Yann Royant’s Challenging Track
It was an evening that kept even the most astute of jumping enthusiasts on the edge of their seats, with the crowded stands buzzing. French course designer Yann Royant set a challenging track that drew praise from athletes for its delicate, technical questions. The first round featured 13 obstacles and tested even the most experienced combinations.
Competition pathfinders and reigning Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ champions, Julien Epaillard (FRA) and Donatello d’Auge, had an uncharacteristic two rails down at the first element of the triple combination (8a) and the final fence (13) to the disappointment of the home crowd. It proved a sign of things to come as the course continued to ask plenty of questions, with the triple at fence eight catching out many of the field.
The time allowed of 75.00 seconds also proved influential. Max Kühner (AUT), Jodie Hall McAteer (GBR) and Jordy van Massenhove (BEL) all jumped clear but each picked up a single time fault, enough to keep them out of the jump-off. The first clear round of the evening came from the fourth combination to go, Tom Schewe (GER) and the talented Congress Blue PS, who produced a foot-perfect performance well inside the time in 73.43 seconds.
The crowd then had to wait some time to witness the feat again with the next clear being delivered by compatriot Daniel Deusser (GER) and Otello de Guldenboom, who were 21st on the starting order.
Showdown to the Podium
With only four combinations through to the jump-off, it was always going to be a race for the podium, and the electric showdown did not disappoint. First into the ring was Schewe, who set off at a confident pace to stop the clock in 38.00 seconds, but four faults at the second obstacle left the door open for the remaining three.
Deusser and Otello de Guldenboom could not recreate their winning jump-off from Verona, Italy, also finishing on four faults after making a run to the final fence and arriving on a long stride to clip the rail. Yuri Mansur (BRA) and veteran Vitiki set off with the win in their sights, but four faults off a tight turn saw them knocked out of contention, finishing with a time of 38.93 seconds.
The crowd held its collective breath as Burke and 10-year-old gelding Good Star du Bary took center stage and prepared to start their round of a lifetime. The rookie pair looked composed as they sailed over each fence, keeping all the rails up and breaking the beam at 42.40 seconds. But without any jumping penalties, they had secured a place in the history books.
“He is the best horse I’ve ever had. He has a massive heart, and he is just so special,” Burke said about Good Star du Bary. “There aren’t many horses like him, and I am very lucky to have him at the moment. I only have one horse at this level.”
Road to Fort Worth
It was an emotional finish for the former schoolteacher who’s only been riding at the professional level for six years. Burke not only collected the first major win of her career but also etched her name into the records as the first female athlete to stand atop the Bordeaux podium.
Saturday’s results moved Burke up to seventh on the league leaderboard with 46 points and, with her sights set on the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ Final in Fort Worth, Texas, this April, she’ll be one to watch. “With today’s result we should be able to go to the Final. Securing my qualification has been the goal for a while,” she said.
Deusser took to the podium in second place, while Schewe secured his first Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ podium position in third.
Defending champion Epaillard remains in pole position on the leaderboard boasting 69 points with Kühner now in second place on 64 points following today’s fifth-place finish. The penultimate qualifying leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup™ 2025/2026 Western European League will take place in Göteborg, Sweden, in two weeks’ time.
Thanks to Zoetis for our coverage of the 2026 FEI World Cup Finals. It includes lead-up events, rider interviews, competition reports, photos and more!