August 13, 2023 
Try to say Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve three times fast. While you were doing that, Jessica Springsteen (USA) already finished her jump-off in Sunday’s CSI5* Longines Global Champions Tour Grand Prix of London.
The winding Uliano Vezzani (ITA) designed course saw 10 competitive combinations advance to the second round. Yet nobody was about to get in the way of Springsteen’s first 5* Grand Prix win with her 2020 Tokyo Olympics silver medal partner, 14-year-old stallion Don Juan Van De Donkhoeve. Even if it meant riding on the razor’s edge to get there.
“I’m so happy with Don today, I took some risks but it paid off. I’m so excited, I’m honestly in shock this is my first 5* Grand Prix win with Don so I’m so thankful. It means so much to win here, especially in front of this incredible atmosphere and crowd in London…they’re really cheering you on and I think you and your horse, they really feel that, which is special,” said Springsteen.
Whether it was the boisterous crowd or some extra leg that gave them the boost they needed, Springsteen’s time of 43.01 seconds proved too tight to beat. Olivier Philippaerts (BEL) and Harrie Smolders (NED), however, came especially close.
Philippaerts crossed the timers in 43.90 seconds with 11-year-old gelding H&M Miro. Smolders, not quick to give up his place on the podium, finished the track in 43.92 seconds with 14-year-old gelding Monaco N.O.P.
Winning by slim margins is the most common scenario in show jumping, but it didn’t stop Springsteen from taking a second look at her track and discerning where she could have improved.
“I feel like maybe I could have done one less to the second fence…he’s incredibly fast actually. He is. His stride is so big, so all of the lines end up a little bit easy for me. So I have to almost take a wider track sometimes so I can continue galloping and keep going,” said Springsteen.
For Philippaerts, Springsteen’s win only reminded him he needs to in put a little extra work on the sand if he wants to come out on top. Until then, he’s celebrating.
“I’m incredibly happy, I’ve just got to work a bit harder to bring home a win. I’ve been hungry for it for a very long time already, so I will keep pushing it, keep trying, and hopefully one day we will pull it off,” said a candid Philippaerts.
Smolders has been playing the consistency card throughout the LGCT tour, having secured a fourth consecutive LGCT Grand Prix podium finish. It is a historical success along the tour, and the magnitude is not lost on Smolders.
“Monaco jumped outstanding again, I am very grateful. I have two superstars at the moment in Uricas and Monaco and that’s why [we’ve been so consistent]. For the LGCT for the whole season, you need horsepower,” said Smolders.
Perhaps by contrast, Springsteen’s European summer with Don Juan Van De Donkehoeve has been hot and cold. The pair secured top ten results in every class at LGCT Paris, finishing fifth in the Grand Prix, yet they were unable to find their groove at LGCT Riesenbeck. After London their trajectory only points up. The pair have a 31% clear round and 36% top ten finish averages at 1.60m, according to Jumpr App, which are trending upwards by 16% and 10%, respectively. At 1.65m, their top ten finish average jumps to 60%.
One thing is certain with this pair, the glory days aren’t passing them by.
