Kristen Vanderveen & Starbucks 27 Rise to Stardom in Monaco

By Jumper News USA on July 9, 2026

Monaco, Monte Carlo – July 03, 2026 – Kristen Vanderveen (USA) and Starbucks 27 produced a fearless jump-off performance to claim victory in the €56,800 Jump-Off Challenge CSI 5* – 1.50m, presented by the Fédération Équestre de la Principauté de Monaco.

The second day of the Longines Global Champions Tour of Monaco continued to deliver edge-of-your-seat competition as the world’s best combinations took on the uniquely demanding Port Hercule arena, where every stride and every second can define the result.

With Monaco’s famously compact arena rewarding bravery and split-second decision making, just five combinations progressed to a thrilling jump-off after navigating the technical first-round track.

There was heartbreak before the jump-off even began for Ireland’s Michael Pender (IRL) aboard Madgeslane Louis, who agonisingly missed qualification after collecting a single time fault – just one second proving the difference between continuing and watching from the sidelines.

Belgium’s Thibault Philippaerts (BEL) was first to return aboard Royal van’t Schawijke and immediately set the standard. Producing a beautifully balanced double clear, the talented young Belgian made Monaco’s demanding track look remarkably straightforward, stopping the clock in 34.16 seconds.

Switzerland’s Nadja Peter Steiner (SUI) followed with Quarantinette vt Hazelarenhoekje but paid the price for pushing the pace, dropping two rails, one through the double combination before another fence fell late in the round.

**Kristen Vanderveen** (USA) & **Starbucks 27**

The atmosphere lifted another level when American rider Kristen Vanderveen (USA) entered aboard Starbucks 27.

Finding an exceptional rhythm from the outset, Vanderveen attacked every turn with confidence. Taking an audacious angle to save valuable time, she was already 0.39 seconds ahead at the intermediate split before galloping home to produce a breathtaking clear in 33.78 seconds, a time that ultimately proved unbeatable.

Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS) looked capable of challenging the lead with Cydello after another fluent performance, only for the final fence to fall in heartbreaking fashion just moments from the finish.

Mexico’s Carlos Hank Guerreiro (MEX) guided H5 Diachango Blue PS to another polished double clear but could not quite match Vanderveen’s blistering pace, while France’s Kevin Staut (FRA) and Ever de Turan added yet another faultless round to secure eventual third place.

Ireland’s Denis Lynch (IRL) adopted a measured approach aboard Chicago to finish clear, while Germany’s Philipp Weishaupt (GER) and Oreo D.R. looked set to threaten the top of the leaderboard before a single rail denied them. Belgium’s Niels Bruynseels (BEL) and Chacco’s Lando OL also suffered the same fate, leaving Vanderveen’s benchmark untouched.

The victory marks another standout international result for Vanderveen, whose bold riding style proved perfectly suited to Monaco’s unique test of precision and speed.