The Frenchman and his speedy, careful homebred won the opening class and never looked back to claim their first World Cup victory.

The excitement builds at the Longines FEI Jumping World Cupâ„¢ Final in Basel, SUI, with the hometown hero delighting the partisan crowd.

The Frenchman rode Donatello d’Auge to take the opening leg of the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup Final in Basel, SUI.

Belgium and Ireland finished third and fourth at the World Equestrian Center event, with only 7 first-round clears of the 40 starters.

Ten teams will battle it out at the World Equestrian Center; Ireland will seek to repeat last year's win, following victory in the Abu Dhabi opener.

#503-ranked rider Linda Heed surprises and delights her home crowd in Sweden, beating #1 ranked compatriot Henrik von Eckermann.

Foot-perfect Team Ireland dominated the competition in Abu Dhabi, keeping to a score of zero ahead of hosts UAE and France.

The Swiss rider bounced back from a podium drought in this year's series to take the penultimate leg and land a place in the Final.

The German rider piloted Vestmalle des Cotis to win a 10-horse jump-off that included five Belgian challengers on their home turf.

The Irish rider piloted Eddy Blue to victory in the Longines FEI Jumping World Cup of London to wrap the holiday show.