Belgian rider Grégory Wathelet, the current European individual silver medalist, has sold many a great horse. In fact, in May he sold his top horse, Conrad De Hus, to the United States. So Wathelet knows how to savor a moment of victory, and at the Longines Masters Paris, he celebrated a big one.

Grégory Wathelet on Eldorado Van Het Vijverhof. Photo by Tiffany Van Halle

Wathelet made a brilliant return to the highest level of competition with a win in the Longines Grand Prix of Paris aboard Eldorado Van Het Vijverhof. “We are all chasing after victories like this,” said the rider, visibly moved. “I love going fast. Eldorado van het Vijverhof has been great for several weeks, today he was perfect and luck was on my side!”

Wathelet celebrates his Paris win with Eldorado Van Het Vijverhof. Photo by Tiffany Van Halle

With a field full of top riders and a tough course, there were some exciting unexpected developments during the first round, resulting in a jump-off with eight riders—including three Belgians.

Lastly there was the audience, the renowned, warm, sporting, knowledgeable Parisian spectators, who were unanimously praised by the riders. “They supported all the French and foreign riders, which is exceptional and really motivating,” said Wathelet.

“This amazing audience and this incredible atmosphere spur us on to surpass ourselves,” confirmed Daniel Desseur, who was third in the class behind Wathelet and Bertram Allen.

Gregory Wathelet (center) celebrated his win in the Longines Paris Masters with second-placed Daniel Deusser (right) and third-placed Bertram Allen. Photo by tiffany Van Halle

Wathelet is the new contender for the Longines Grand Slam. If he succeeds in winning in Hong Kong on Feb. 12, and in Los Angeles at the beginning of September 2017, he will win the Grand Slam Bonus of €1,000,000 for three consecutive victories over two seasons. As for the €2,250,000 Super Grand Slam Bonus, it rewards three consecutive victories in the same season (Los Angeles—Paris—then Hong Kong), which means that the slates are wiped clean.

U.S. riders in Paris for the Masters had mixed results. Lauren Hough and Cornet 39 and McLain Ward and HH Azur each had one rail down in the first round to take 10^th and 11^th, respectively. Audrey Coulter rode Alex to a 20-fault total in Round 1, while Lucy Davis had a rail and then a refusal at a plank vertical on Cassis 54, retiring after the stop. Creedance looked extremely keen for Kent Farrington, jumping so enthusiastically early in the first round that Farrington lost both stirrups. After two rails, he pulled up and waved at the judges.

See full results of the Longines Paris Masters Grand Prix.

Bertram Allen of Ireland and Hector Van D’Abdijhoeve jumped into second in the Longines Paris Masters. Photo by Tiffany Van Halle

Daniel Deusser rode Equite Van’t Zorgvliet into third place in the Longines Paris Masters. Photo by Tiffany Van Halle

The top U.S. finisher in the Longines Paris Masters was Lauren Hough on Cornet 39. Photo by Tiffany Van Halle

McLain Ward and HH Azur had one rail in Round 1 to take 11th in the Longines Paris Masters. Photo by Tiffany Van Halle