Former school teacher wins historic first five-star with ‘the best horse I’ve ever ridden’

Irish showjumper Jessica Burke celebrated a milestone first five-star victory at Jumping International De Bordeaux on Saturday (7 February) with one of the most exciting horses on the circuit, Good Star Du Bary.

The pair produced the sole double clear in a four-way showdown against some of the best in the business to decide the 12th leg of the Longines FEI World Cup in Western Europe.

“This horse has been close so many times and I was hoping for a top-five finish, but I didn’t think I could win, so I’m delighted,” said former school teacher Jessica.

Jessica Burke: “To have patience and wait for your day to come is very hard”

Jessica was drawn last against the clock and as her three rivals had all faulted, she knew a clear round could seal a landmark success. Absolute silence filled the venue as the pair skipped round the 1.60m track and, maintaining an upbeat tempo but with a cautionary check to the final oxer, this spectacular pair crossed the finish line clear, earning a huge round of applause. But Jessica deflected all the glory to the gorgeous grey gelding, pointing to him before she lavished him with affectionate pats.

This was a historic victory for 34-year-old Jessica as she became the first female rider to win Bordeaux’s feature class on just her sixth attempt at a World Cup competition with the 10-year-old.

“Five times he’s had one down but today we were clear,” said Jessica. “To have patience and wait for your day to come is very hard.”

“He’s the best horse I’ve ever ridden. You watch him jump 1.30m and you think that’s all he can jump but he’s so special,” added an emotional Jessica, whose family was in Bordeaux to support her while owner Liam Nicholas was also there celebrating his 60th birthday. “I only have one horse at this level at the moment but one very good one; he makes my life very easy. In the warm-up he’s totally relaxed but then he totally lights up with the crowd.

“His breeders will be so happy – I think the horse has a bigger following than I do in France,” she said of the French-bred son of Rock’n Roll Semilly, bred by Marina Storgato. “He has a massive heart. There aren’t many horses like him.”

Jessica Burke, who has recently left her base of Arion Stud in Hampshire to return to her native Ireland, has now secured her place in the World Cup Final in Fort Worth in April.

Jodie Hall McAteer finished best of the Brits in the World Cup with just a time-fault in round one riding La Gupardie. Sunday’s Audi grand prix was won by Martin Fuchs with Conner Jei, representing Switzerland.

Jessica Mendoza wins grand prix: “I knew I had to go for it”

Another showjumping Jessica, Jessica Mendoza, also found winning form on the international showjumping circuit this week, the British rider topping the CSI4* grand prix in Ocala, Florida, riding 13-year-old mare In The Air. Victory came after a nail-biting seven-way jump-off in which Jessica beat Ashley Vogel of USA riding Otis Blue as the only other clear against the clock.

“I was third to go with some fast riders behind me, so I knew I had to go for it,” said Jess. “I didn’t plan on doing that inside turn, but the person in front of me did it, and I thought, ‘Oh my God, I didn’t know I needed to do that.’ But she’s so athletic. I know I can do that turn on her, and she’d be right there with me.

“She’s always been amazing, but she’s turned into this superstar of a horse. She loves jumping, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have her.”

Richard Vogel versus Ben Maher in mighty battle

Also in USA, three of the world’s best riders topped the podium for the WEF $500,000 Fidelity Investments CSI5* grand prix at Wellington International, Florida. The winner was Germany’s Richard Vogel with rising star Gangster Montdesir, nudging out British Olympian Ben Maher with his great partner, the “sharp and high-energy” Enjeu De Grisien, who finished 0.3sec adrift. World number eight Nina Mallevaey, 26, finished third riding Dynastie De Beaufour.

“He’s a very exciting addition to my string,” said Richard of the Kannan x Cornet Obolensky stallion he started riding in September. “Right away I had a super feeling with him. He always wanted to do a good job from the very first show. I couldn’t wish for anything more than how he jumped tonight and how he was fighting for us.

“If you get such a talented horse stepping up so quickly, you must always find a balance – we want great nights like this, but we never want to overface the horse. Right now, he feels highly motivated and very game. He’s green at this level, but we have high hopes for him.”

• To stay up to date with all the breaking news from major shows throughout 2026, subscribe to the Horse & Hound website

You may also be interested in: