U.S. show jumper Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 roared to the top of the Warsteiner Prize at the World Equestrian Festival-CHIO Aachen (Germany) yesterday, besting a field of 50 of Europe’s most accomplished and seasoned riders.

Bond, Hidden Hills, Calif., and the agile 12-year-old Holsteiner gelding stopped the clocks at 45.93, almost 1.5 seconds faster than the second place combination, France’s up-and-coming star Pénélope Leprovost aboard Mylord Cathargo (0/47.49).

Belgian veteran Jos Lansink and Spenders placed third with a jump-off time of 47.81 seconds.

“It is a great honor for me being able to compete here,” said Bond in a CHIO Aachen press release. “I was pretty nervous after reaching the jump-off. I have always admired riders like Marcus Ehning and Jos Lansink—I more or less grew up with their victories. Being able to ride against them now is simply unbelievable.”

This win marks 24-year-old Bond’s fourth double-clear round on the European continent. She and Cadett 7 have turned in three fault-free performances in as many Nations Cup competitions, an impressive accomplishment for such a young pair.

The venerable duo will contest the Rolex Grand Prix of Aachen on July 5, one of show jumping’s most cut-throat and lucrative classes.

“I will let him rest him up for three days and gear up for Sunday,” said Bond. “I’m alarmingly calm competing in Europe. I love it. For some reason it is very calming in the ring for me over here.”