The Moment Nina Mallevaey Learned She Cracked the World Top 10

Most people can tell you exactly where they were and what they were doing on September 11, 2001 when news broke of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Many have the same vivid recall of Barack Obama being declared the 44th president. Or, on a personal note, of the moment they first discovered they were expecting a baby.

It’s known as a flashbulb memory. Remembering in vivid detail the specific circumstances of hearing surprising, emotionally charged or significant news.

For French show jumper Nina Mallevaey, the moment she found out she had broken the world top 10 is a flashbulb memory. In January 2026, Mallevaey was on a flight to Wellington, FL for the Winter Equestrian Festival when, unbeknownst to the 26-year old, her name jumped into the top tier of the Longines World Rankings.

“I was in the plane when it happened, when the result came out, so I had no service,” shared Mallevaey. “When I landed in Miami, I opened my phone and I had like 50 messages and I was like, wow! It was definitely the best arrival for me. Yeah, I didn’t expect landing in Miami to be breaking the top 10 and receiving so many messages from so many people. It was just so nice.

“I sat in the plane for like 20 minutes. I think I was the last one to go out of the plane, I just [stayed in my seat] reading the messages.”

Mallevaey has held the number 8 position on the rankings for two consecutive months. It’s an accomplishment that is still sinking in for the young French rider.

“It feels amazing,” she continued. “I think I don’t really realize that much [what it means yet]. But I think it’s a great way also for me to say thank you to everyone who supports me and everyone who works so hard to create results like that. So yeah, I enjoy it so much.”