Aaron Vale Captures Rolex Grand Prix Glory in Dinard

American Rider Claims Second-Ever U.S. Victory in Prestigious 5* Event

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2025 Jumping International de Dinard, Aaron Vale captured the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard with a brilliant display of precision and speed aboard Carissimo 25. The victory marks a defining moment in Vale’s career and only the second U.S. win in the five-star event’s history.

Set against the stunning Val Porée showgrounds, the Grand Prix celebrated ten years since Dinard’s rise to 5* status—a milestone fittingly honored with a jump-off that kept spectators on their feet. Vale, last to go among eight clear contenders, executed a perfectly calculated round to edge out Harrie Smolders (NED) and Mr Tac by 1.74 seconds.

France’s Nina Mallevaey and Dynastie de Beaufour thrilled the home crowd with a determined third-place finish, overcoming a lost stirrup mid-course to secure another top international result in a stellar season.

With this win, Vale joins McLain Ward (2018) as the only Americans to claim the Dinard title, succeeding last year’s champion Kevin Staut and reaffirming U.S. strength on European soil. The 2025 Rolex Grand Prix Ville de Dinard once again delivered world-class sport, breathtaking drama, and a finale worthy of its legacy.

Photo by Stefan Lafrentz