Press release from Longines Global Champions Tour, edited by Estonian Sporthorse Breeders
Inside a sold-out O2 Arena, more than 15,000 fans witnessed one of the tightest finishes in Longines Global Champions Tour Super Grand Prix history as the world’s elite battled over two demanding 1.65m rounds for the sport’s most coveted individual title.
In a night defined by razor-sharp precision and unrelenting speed, Abdel Saïd and the outstanding Bonne Amie stormed to victory. Abdel Said spoke of his incredible partner in Bonne Amie, he said “It’s unbelievable, I am still trying to take it in – I am very proud of my horse… I am annoyed with myself because that is how we are… we criticise the small thing that went wrong. But she’s a big lady to go fast in an indoor arena. In my heart I knew it was a long shot to win with so many good horses and riders to follow. I certainly didn’t expect to win the LGCT Super Grand Prix in Prague.”
Abdel Saïd and Bonne Amie, already in touching distance of the title after opening round, entered the arena knowing that one more powerful performance could secure the win. The pair delivered a second effort in 62.43 seconds, finishing on 4 faults and rocketing into the lead. They were competing against Simon Delestre and Cayman Jolly Jumper who stopped the clock in 62.45 seconds, also on 4 faults, missing the lead by just two hundredths of a second! Scott Brash and Hello Chadora Lady produced another phenomenal performance. Their smooth, balanced round in 62.81 seconds, again with 4 faults, placed them just behind the Frenchmen and secured their III place on the 2025 podium. When the final horse of the jumpoff crossed the finish line, it was clear: Abdel Saïd and Bonne Amie were the undeniable champions of the 2025 LGCT Super Grand Prix! It was the biggest win of their career under immense pressure.
And that Big Lady is as original Estonian Sporthorse as it can be!
Bonne Amie is born in Estonia and had her preparation under Estonian GP rider Rein Pill and his daughter Katrin. With the 5-year-old Bonne Amie, Rein competed at the Estonian Breeding Jumping Championships for young horses and took 3rd place, from there her daugter Katrin Pill took over and together with Bonne Amie they reached the 130 cm level, before the mare was sold. Rein has also prepared Yuri Mansurs Alfons Ra, with whom he became Estonian champion in two consecutive years in 2017 and 2018. Together they reached the 160 cm level.
Breeder of Bonne Amie – Trooja hobune OÜ has contributed to the ESH brand since the early years of the studbook. The pearl of the small production of Trooja hobune OÜ is Bonne Amie’s mother Lara II, who was herself a horse at the 160 cm level, once Estonian Champion in Showjumping, with estonian rider Tiit Kivisild. Lara’s mare line has produced numerous GP level sporthorses and licensed stallions. Bonne Amies sire A Big Boy needs no introduction to serious show jumping breeders. Before being sold to Athina Onassis, Rein Pill competed with him up to the 160 cm level. In Estonia he was a licensed stallion, has left 19 foals in ESH breeding. The fact that both of Bonne Amie’s parents have been active sport horses in Estonia and used in breeding makes Bonne Amie a true original Estonian sport horse. This proves the ability of our breeders and riders to recognize good horses both for sport and for breeding.
In March 2025, after winning €189,750 at the Longines Global Champions Tour GP in Doha, Abdel Said gave a short interview to Estonian breeders. Abdel Said about Bonne: ”She is so careful, intelligent and sensitive for a big horse. I really enjoy working with her, you could say that she is more my friend than a horse. She gives 1,000,000 % of herself always and has taught me a lot- how to deal with a sensitive horse and disturb her less. She has made me think “out of the box”. I believe that our partnership is now so good that the results can only get better. All my competition mares will stay with me when they retire, and so I plan to use Bonne in breeding too”
Behind the success of Estonian sport horse breeding are ambitious breeders and hard-working riders with great talent and knowledge, who have ability to see quality in young horses and value that quality.
Bonne Amie’s win is a great way to end ESHBS’s 25th anniversary year!