Germany’s Andre Thieme Masters $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN at Longines League of Nations™ Ocala

20 MAR 26 Ocala, FL

Equestrian jumping event at night with a rider and horse clearing a high obstacle; flags and seated spectators are visible in the background.

Ocala, FL – Germany’s Andre Thieme riding Paule S emerged victorious in the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN held on Thursday evening, March 19, as part of the Longines League of Nations Ocala™ at World Equestrian Center – Ocala (WEC) in Ocala, FL.

A rider and horse in mid-jump over an obstacle during an equestrian event, with spectators watching from the stands.
Andre Thieme (GER) riding Paule S won the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN on Thursday evening, March 19, 2026, at World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

It was a nail-biter all the way to the finish as seven horse-and-rider combinations jumped their way into the all-deciding jump-off from an original starting field of 38 entries. Course designer Alan Wade (IRL) made full use of the WEC Grand Arena with a beautifully decorated track that tested bravery and accuracy under the lights.

A rider in full gear jumps a horse over an obstacle during an equestrian competition, with spectators watching from bleachers in the background.
Reigning Olympic champion Christian Kukuk (GER) settled for second this year riding Fantasia de WY for owner Francisco Pasquel. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Christian Kukuk of Germany won the $350,000 Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN last year and had every intention of repeating his winning ways. The reigning Olympic champion opened the jump-off with a clear round in a time of 42.14 seconds riding Fantasia de WY, an 11-year-old Selle Français mare (Armitages Boy x Landsturm) owned by Francisco Pasquel, to lay down the gauntlet for those who followed. It was his fellow countryman Andre Thieme who picked it up, producing a classy clear in a time of 41.85 seconds riding Paule S. No one was able to better Thieme’s performance, giving Germany a one-two finish at the top of the leaderboard during a week where national pride is on the line.

Equestrian rider and horse jump over a high obstacle in an arena during a competition, with scoreboard displaying rider information in the background.
For the second year in a row, Nina Mallevaey (FRA) and Nikka vd Bisschop placed third for Tara Dow-Rein and Rein Family LLC. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

France’s Nina Mallevaey, 26, rounded out the podium with Nikka vd Bisschop, a 13-year-old Belgian Warmblood mare (Emerald x Nabab de Reve) owned by Tara Dow-Rein and Rein Family LLC. The pair stopped the clock in 42.49 seconds to take third place, exactly as they had done one year earlier.

“I really wanted to win,” said Thieme, who has been spending his winters in Ocala for the past 26 years. “When I saw Christian, I knew this was going to be very hard. I was placed in every single grand prix here this year, and every single time, I didn’t take enough risk in the jump-offs. I thought okay, this is the last one in Ocala, so I took that risk, and it worked.”

A group of people and a person on horseback pose behind a large check at a J.P. Morgan Private Bank event, with flags and stadium seating in the background.
Andre Thime aboard Paule S is presented as the winner of the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN. From left to right: Max Andre Thieme; Martin Kuehl; Mason Jordan on behalf of the Roberts Family; Heidi Jaeckel; Abraham Blocker, Vice President, Banker at J.P. Morgan Private Bank; and Jim Wolf of World Equestrian Center – Ocala. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

Despite Thieme’s extensive experience, including winning the 2021 European Championships, competing at the highest level of the sport wasn’t a foregone conclusion for his mount, Paule S.

Equestrian rider and horse jump over an obstacle during a show jumping competition, with spectators watching in the background.
Andre Thieme & Paule S. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

“A few years ago I thought we’ll see if he’s going to be clear-headed enough to finally do the sport because he always had the power, he always had the technique, he has everything it takes to be successful in the five-star sport,” said Thieme of the 12-year-old Oldenburg gelding (Perigueux x Sir Shutterfly) owned by Ronald Meißner and Turnierstall Andre Thieme GmbH. “He’s very, very hot-blooded, and he has a very thin line between being too crazy and too hot and too strong; he has the power of five horses. But now he has won so many five-star nations cups, and he has been successful all around the world. This is not the first big grand prix that he’s won, so I have to give it to him. I’m very happy for the horse.”

Equestrian rider and horse mid-jump over a colorful obstacle with tiger images at a show jumping event, audience watching in the background.
Andre Thieme & Paule S. Photo by Andrew Ryback Photography.

With a strong finish in the $350,000 J.P. Morgan Grand Prix CSIO5*-LLN, Germany has become the odds-on favorite to win Saturday’s $770,000 Longines League of Nations™ Ocala team competition. As the defending title holders, the U.S. team of Natalie Dean, Lillie Keenan, Laura Kraut, and Aaron Vale won’t go down without a fight when the action gets underway at 5:15 p.m. ET. Belgium, Brazil, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, and Switzerland have all come to play with thrilling competition guaranteed.

Ocala serves as the second of five stops on the prestigious Longines League of Nations™ tour and is the only event held in North America. Abu Dhabi (UAE), Ocala (USA), Rotterdam (NED), and Gassin – St. Tropez (FRA) comprise the Longines League of Nations™ series leading up to the final in Barcelona (ESP) from October 1 to 4, 2026.

Competition at WEC – Ocala continues Friday, March 20, highlighted by the $120,000 Florida Coast Equipment Winning Round CSIO5*-LLN beginning at 3 p.m. ET.

Live streaming of competition from World Equestrian Center – Ocala is available throughout the week on ClipMyHorse.TV. Fans can also relive the excitement of the Longines League of Nations™ Ocala on CBS Sports Network on Saturday, March 28, at 10 p.m. ET with an encore presentation on Thursday, April 16, at 6 p.m. ET.

Orders of go, live scoring and results. 

Longines League of Nations™ Ocala Information

This event is made possible through the support of our generous sponsors and marketing partners, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, and Ocala/Marion County Visitors and Convention Bureau.