The wait is over for Quentin Jabet. The French vaulter claimed the individual male world title at the FEI World Championships in Aachen on Saturday, ending a run of straight silver medals. He delivered a clean final routine aboard Estado IFCE and posted a score of 8.794.
A silent arena and a trouble-free flight
The sold-out Hauptstadion fell quiet as Jabet and his horse entered. Lunged by Loic Devedu, he glided through a smooth programme while other riders misjudged their risk. Earlier in the round, more than one competitor fell attempting higher-difficulty moves.
The scoreboard had already tightened sharply. Italy's Davide Zanella held the lead at 8.416 before Germany's Bela Lehnen moved the marker to 8.448, securing his first senior medal. Jabet's score vaulted him well clear, but he still had a tense wait.
A crown sealed from the leaders' podium
From the podium, Jabet watched the only man who could catch him. Sam dos Santos of the Netherlands brought an impressive routine on Hero, yet the horse was not fully settled and the Dutchman worked hard to hold it together. His score of 8.508 left him with silver and confirmed Jabet's gold.
The victory rewrites a near-miss record. Jabet stood on the second step at the World Championships in 2022 and again in 2024. This time, the Frenchman converted consistency into the title he had chased through two long cycles.
He also leaves Aachen with a team silver secured alongside the French Squad, who finished just fractions behind Germany's 15th world squad title. On this night, however, an individual dream became the story.
The emotion was clear when the result became official — a long apprenticeship paid in full inside a roaring, then hushed, arena.
