An emerging equestrian nation just proved it can host the world – and a small Caribbean country walked away with a historic 1–2 podium sweep. And this is the part most people miss: events like this aren’t just about medals, they quietly reshape the future of sport for entire regions.
The FEI Jumping World Challenge Final 2025 wrapped up in Dakar, Senegal, closing a breakthrough week for the country’s equestrian community and giving the world a preview of what to expect when Dakar hosts the 2026 Youth Olympic Games. The Final took place at the modern Diamniadio International Arena Equestrian Centre (CEDIA), bringing together 16 horse–rider combinations from 13 nations that had all earned their spots through regional FEI Jumping World Challenge qualifying events at home. As one of the flagship projects under FEI Solidarity, this Final once again showed how equestrian sport can open doors, nurture new talent, and connect growing horse communities across continents.
A first for Senegal – and a milestone for Africa
This Final marked Senegal’s debut as host of an FEI Final and only the fifth time in 18 years that the event has been held on African soil. That alone is a big deal for a country still building its international sporting profile, and it was greeted with real pride by the Senegalese Equestrian Federation. Its president, Ibrahima Wade, who also coordinates the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, emphasized that welcoming this Final is both a privilege and a responsibility, and a key stepping stone in preparing for the Youth Olympic equestrian competitions.
He highlighted that equestrian sport is not just surviving but thriving in Senegal, and that staging an event of this standard is a chance to demonstrate the strength of local athletes, coaches, and facilities to the rest of the world. In practical terms, it means Senegal is actively positioning itself as a serious player in international equestrianism rather than just a guest at other people’s events. But here’s where it gets controversial: should more global federations be taking similar risks on emerging hosts instead of defaulting to the same traditional venues year after year?
CEDIA under the spotlight
CEDIA, which doubles as the National Gendarmerie’s training base, earned consistent praise throughout the week for its clean design, modern facilities, and high-quality footing. These details may sound technical, but they matter: good footing keeps horses safer, helps riders perform at their best, and signals that a venue meets top-level expectations. The arena will also host the Youth Olympic Games equestrian events, so this Final functioned as a live test of how well the venue, staff, and systems can handle global-level pressure.
Because the event ran smoothly from start to finish, many observers saw it as proof that Senegal is ready for even bigger stages. At the same time, the choice of a military training site as a national equestrian hub raises an interesting question: is it an efficient use of shared infrastructure, or does it show how hard it still is to build dedicated equestrian venues in many countries?
What makes the FEI Jumping World Challenge different
The FEI Jumping World Challenge is specifically designed for riders from developing or less traditional equestrian regions who might not have easy access to big international shows. Instead of expecting them to travel constantly with their own horses, it uses a hybrid model: riders first qualify through national rounds at home, then meet for a Final where they compete on borrowed horses provided by the host country. That format helps level the playing field, because nobody arrives with years of experience on a superstar horse.
This year’s Final drew athletes from Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, creating a truly global mix. Senegal entered two combinations on home ground, joining riders from South Africa, Zambia, Tunisia, Costa Rica, India, Iran, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Uruguay, and Bolivia. The horses were supplied by Senegalese stables such as Hann Marinas, ASFA, the Hann Racing Club, Hann Pony Club, and the Horse Jumping Academy, and assigned to riders through a random draw to ensure fairness and reduce any home-field advantage. And this is the part most people miss: for many of these athletes, this kind of borrowed-horse event is their only realistic route into genuine international sport.
Host nation earns respect
Throughout the week, the FEI highlighted Senegal’s strong commitment to building its equestrian scene, noting the warm hospitality shown to visiting teams and the professional way the event was delivered. The quality of the CEDIA venue, from organization to infrastructure, was frequently singled out as a major plus. More than just a sporting contest, the Final was framed as a platform to create new chances for riders, inspire young people, and show what’s possible when investment and opportunity meet.
This raises a thought-provoking point: if events like this can reshape a country’s sporting future, should international federations be judged not only on elite results but also on how effectively they spread access and support beyond traditional powerhouses?
Opening day: welcome rounds and home support
Competition got underway on Thursday with the Welcome Competition, a 115 cm speed class designed to help riders quickly get to know their new horses under real pressure. Seven athletes posted clear rounds, signaling that they were already syncing well with their mounts. Among them was Senegal’s Arnaud Rosière on Barentin de Rampan, whose tidy, composed trip stood out as one of the classiest rides of the day.
Riders from Bolivia, Zambia, Tunisia, South Africa, Uzbekistan, and India also completed the course without penalties, instantly setting a high technical standard for the rest of the week. For spectators, it became obvious right away that this Final would be tight, with no single nation dominating from the start.
Friday: a local hero ignites the crowd
Friday’s first qualifier delivered one of the emotional highlights for the home crowd. Riding Crazy Horse Boop, Senegal’s Elimane “Abdou Gueye” Sarr stopped the clock in 71.87 seconds with a flawless clear, the fastest performance of the day. His round blended speed, precision, and calm under pressure, and his result sent a surge of energy through the stands as local fans roared their approval.
Clear rounds from South Africa’s Divan Bosman, the Dominican Republic’s Gregori Jesus, and Tunisia’s Ellouze Ghazi also marked them out as early contenders for the title. The opening qualifiers made it clear that while riders from more established equestrian nations had strong programmes behind them, athletes from newer markets were equally capable of stepping up when it mattered.
Saturday: leaderboard shake-ups and heartbreak
The second qualifier on Saturday reshuffled the standings again. South Africa’s Divan Bosman, aboard Dexter de Jonkiere, took charge by producing a clean first round and then dominating the jump-off with another confident performance. His riding combined smooth lines with clever use of turns and pace, putting serious pressure on the rest of the field.
Bolivia’s Mathias Céspedes Casal and Puerto Rico’s Kira Zapolskikh secured the remaining top-three positions through consistent, well-managed rounds over both phases. But the day also brought drama: after jumping clear in the main round, Senegal’s Elimane Sarr suffered a fall in the jump-off and had to withdraw from the rest of the competition. While the elimination was a major disappointment for local supporters, his earlier rides earned deep respect from fellow riders and fans, showing how quickly fortunes can change at this level.
Sunday morning: Senegal signs off with a win
Sunday began with the Farewell Competition, and Senegal used the moment to sign off in style. Riding Barentin de Rampan, Arnaud Rosière claimed his second victory of the week, delivering two faultless rounds and sealing the jump-off in a sharp 42.29 seconds. His performance solidified his status as one of the brightest hopes in Senegalese jumping.
Zambia’s Cerys Lillie finished second, and India’s Arjan S. Nagra took third, rounding out a podium that once again reflected the event’s global character. For the home crowd, hearing the Senegalese anthem play again at CEDIA was a powerful emotional moment and a reminder that this Final was also about national pride, not just international results.
Championship Final: Dominican Republic takes a stunning 1–2
Then came the main event: the Championship Final, decided over two demanding rounds with seven combinations starting and six advancing to the second phase. The atmosphere in the arena lifted another notch as the title came within reach. In the end, it was the Dominican Republic that stole the show with a remarkable one–two finish that will go down in the country’s equestrian history.
Gregori Jesus delivered two ice-cool clear rounds, clocking 0/78.65 and 0/70.08 to secure the gold medal and the overall title. His teammate, Santo Rodriguez, matched the quality with the quickest second-round time of the day at 0/61.10, earning the silver medal. Their double podium highlighted the growing strength of the Dominican Republic’s national programmes and how effectively they are feeding riders into international pathways like the FEI Jumping World Challenge. It also raises a provocative question: is the traditional map of “strong” equestrian nations now being quietly redrawn by results like this?
Podium stories: Bolivia, Tunisia, South Africa and beyond
Bolivia’s Mathias Céspedes Casal completed the podium with a deserved bronze medal after a week of composed, consistent performances. Tunisia’s Ellouze Ghazi followed in the standings, having produced a clear in the opening round of the Final and confirming himself as another rider to watch from North Africa. South Africa’s Divan Bosman, Puerto Rico’s Kira Zapolskikh, and Costa Rica’s William De Carvalho rounded out the final classification after strong showings throughout the event.
These results underline a key truth about the FEI Jumping World Challenge: medals can come from almost anywhere, not just from traditional European or North American powerhouses. For young riders watching from similar regions, that visibility can be a powerful motivation to stay in the sport.
Voices from the riders: gratitude, pressure, and big ambitions
Reflecting on his week, Champion Gregori Jesus spoke about how meaningful it was to experience this Final and bring the title home to the Dominican Republic. He highlighted the warm welcome and generous hospitality he received in Senegal, stressing how much a supportive environment helps riders perform under pressure. He also acknowledged that it took him about a day of competition to fully understand his mare, Easy De Sciotto, but by the last day he felt confident in their partnership and in his plan.
He described the win as a major career milestone and expressed deep appreciation for his coach and team, emphasizing that success at this level is rarely an individual effort. That theme of teamwork and support ran through many riders’ comments, offering a useful reminder that even in an individual sport like jumping, no one succeeds alone.
Strategy, surfaces, and a silver medal
Silver medallist Santo Rodriguez also focused on the horse–rider relationship, praising his mount Alato De La Sense and explaining that his main strategy was to build confidence and rhythm gradually over the week. His goal was not just to ride each round in isolation, but to arrive at the Final with maximum understanding and trust, a plan that clearly paid off with his podium finish. He underlined how important good footing and infrastructure are to achieving top results, pointing out that a quality surface is essential for both performance and horse welfare.
Rodriguez expressed sincere thanks for the chance to compete and for the backing of his national federation, which supported his journey to Dakar. That kind of structured support system is often what separates riders who reach international podiums from those who struggle to get the right opportunities.
Bronze with a Senegalese flag
Bronze medallist Mathias Céspedes Casal gave one of the week’s most memorable gestures when he accepted his medal while waving the Senegalese flag. He noted that Bolivia and Senegal share similar flag colours, and said he wanted to publicly thank the hosts for making him feel so welcome, even saying it felt almost like riding at home. It was a symbolic moment that captured the spirit of solidarity and shared celebration that the event aims to promote.
He spoke proudly about his performance and about his horse, Elite Longane, a partner he described as exceptional and easy to connect with. Interestingly, he said his biggest challenge during the show was not the course or the surface, but the personal pressure he placed on himself to perform well. Looking ahead, he hopes that his success in Dakar will inspire more Bolivian riders to chase international opportunities as he continues to travel and develop through 2026, and he thanked both his wife and his country for standing behind his journey.
A defining week for African equestrian sport
The closing ceremony, attended by Senegal’s Minister of the Armed Forces, Biram Diop, along with representatives from the Ministry of Sports, the National Assembly, and the National Gendarmerie, underlined how seriously the country is taking this event. Their presence signaled that equestrian sport is no longer a niche hobby but an area of genuine national interest and investment. When high-ranking officials show up, it often translates into more support, better facilities, and stronger long-term planning.
Beyond the podium photos, the week showcased how the FEI Jumping World Challenge and the broader FEI Solidarity initiatives can transform access to horse sport. By bringing together riders from less represented regions and giving them a stage that feels every bit as professional as established European circuits, these programmes can change both individual careers and national sporting cultures.
Looking ahead: Dakar’s new role on the global map
As the sun set over the CEDIA arena at the end of the Final, riders, officials, and fans celebrated far more than just a well-run competition. There was a strong sense that this week marked the start of a new chapter for Senegalese equestrian sport, not the end of one. With the Youth Olympic Games on the horizon, Dakar has now shown it can host complex international events and provide a competitive, horse-friendly environment.
That positions the city as an emerging hub for high-level equestrian sport in Africa and beyond, and as a living example of what happens when opportunity, local ambition, and international collaboration all align. But here’s the question that could spark real debate: will the momentum from this Final and the Youth Olympic Games lead to sustained investment and long-term growth, or will it fade once the big events move on?
What do you think? Should more major equestrian finals and championships be awarded to emerging countries like Senegal and nations such as the Dominican Republic and Bolivia that are proving their strength on the field of play? Do you see this as a necessary evolution of the sport, or do you worry that moving away from traditional centres could affect quality and prestige? Share where you stand — agree or disagree — in the comments and explain why.
