Proposed layout and backdrop of the new five-star show in Versailles. Photo courtesy of Versailles PR
The 2017 international season of showjumping welcomes a prestigious new event to be held in an emblematic location: The Grande Ecurie du Roi in Versailles.
The first edition of the International Show Jumping of Versailles will take place May 4-7, 2017, and will be organized by the MG Event team (Gérard Manzinali, Jean-Maurice Bonneau and Christian Paillot), in partnership with the Château de Versailles.
The world’s best riders will meet in the exceptional setting of the Grande Ecurie du Roi, which fittingly translates to English as “The Stable of the Kings.”
In keeping with five-star standards, the show will be handing out more than €530,000 in prize money, of which the highlight will be the Rolex Grand Prix of the Château de Versailles. The top prize for the winning rider will be €300,000, ($313,000) and could quickly become one of the most coveted titles of the circuit for FEI riders and owners.
The news was warmly welcomed by members of the show jumping community, particularly French riders eager to add another home court to the calendar. “A mythical place, an experienced organizing team, a prestigious partner,” said French team gold medalist and top ten rider Kevin Staut. “These are just a few of the many ingredients of the CSI5* of Versailles that guarantee the exceptional spectacle that the horse world dreams of seeing.”
Be sure to keep an eye out on Jumper Nation for more information as it becomes available, and go jumping!