TurnoutHQ+ Newsroom · Published June 16, 2026 · Updated September 8, 2026
Key Takeaway
Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci and Hantano won the Rolex Grand Prix of La Baule, marking Bucci's second major Rolex Series victory in two weeks as he prepares for the upcoming World Championships.
What Happened
Italy’s Piergiorgio Bucci secured a major victory at the Jumping International de La Baule, winning the Rolex Grand Prix of the City of La Baule on Sunday, June 14, 2026. Riding Hantano, a 14-year-old KWPN gelding, Bucci outpaced a field of seven jump-off contenders to take the title.
The course, designed by world-renowned builder Grégory Bodo, proved challenging under the summer sun at the Stade François André. Bucci entered the ring as the final rider in the jump-off, chasing a fast clear round set by Switzerland’s Martin Fuchs and Conner Jei. Bucci successfully navigated the tight left-hand turns of the shortened course to stop the clock ahead of Fuchs, who finished in second place.
This win marks Bucci’s second major Rolex victory in just two weeks, having recently won the Rolex Grand Prix of Rome with Pallieter VD N.Ranch. Bucci is only the second Italian rider in history to win the La Baule Grand Prix, joining Giorgio Nuti who won in 1985.
Why It Matters
Bucci’s "double" win at Rome and La Baule highlights a significant peak in form for the 50-year-old rider, currently ranked No. 22 in the world. For the broader show jumping community, these results underscore the horse Hantano’s readiness for the upcoming 2026 World Championships in Aachen, Germany.
As part of the Rolex Series, a circuit connecting seven of the most prestigious global events in Dinard, Rome, Wellington, Falsterbo, Brussels, Dublin, and La Baule, this win carries substantial weight for year-end rankings and international prestige. For riders and trainers, Bucci’s performance demonstrates the tactical advantage of being the final rider in a jump-off, especially on a course specifically built to reward agility in tight turns.
Discipline Context
The event falls under the high-performance Show Jumping discipline. As a CSIO5* event, La Baule represents the pinnacle of the sport, where technical course design and horse-and-rider stamina are tested. Results from the Rolex Series often serve as a bellwether for upcoming major championships, indicating which horse-and-rider combinations are peaking at the right time for international team selection.
Quick Facts
- Governing Body: FEI / Rolex Series
- Location: La Baule, France (Stade François André)
- Winner: Piergiorgio Bucci (ITA) riding Hantano
- Runner-Up: Martin Fuchs (SUI) riding Conner Jei
- Course Designer: Grégory Bodo
- Horse Ownership: Marcello Bucci & Iron Horse Farm
Competitors heading into the season can find show tack and riding equipment ahead of entries.