Four days of Sport with a capital S, four days of celebration, four days fraught with emotions. A timeless classic, the Jumping International de La Baule — Officiel de France remains as vivacious and determined as ever in its pursuit of excellence. 100 days to go is always a symbolic milestone. Just 100 days (still 100 days, sigh impatient fans) until the sweet sound of the first jumps of the Jumping International de La Baule — Officiel de France echoes once again in the François André Stadium. As usual, the best riders in the world will take to the arena from 6 to 9 June 2024 to make the stands of the François André Stadium roar with the voices of thousands of fans.
Key points
- 2024 Jumping International de La Baule — Officiel de France scheduled for 6 to 9 June 2024
- World elite back in La Baule with premier events held every day
- Nine teams in the running for the prestigious Barrière Nations Cup; new course for the Derby Région des Pays de la Loire; the Rolex Grand Prix — Ville de La Baule to cap the week
- Legends Trophy returns with four big names from the history of equestrian sports united for a one-of-a-kind moment
- The Village of the show, a forum for fans to share experiences and come together
HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, 6 June — Prix FFE (1:50 pm)
La Baule gets the show on the road on Thursday. The competition starts with a bang, with two CSIO5* events on the very first day. The top riders in the Prix FFE will earn their ticket to the Rolex Grand Prix — Ville de La Baule, held on Sunday.
Friday, 7 June — Barrière Nations Cup (1:30 pm)
The Barrière Nations Cup, the only 5* Nations Cup round held in France, is a historic and widely anticipated event. It begins with the nine nations parading with their chefs d’équipe at the helm, leading the selected combinations to the sound of the national anthems and the applauses from the stands. Then come the first jumps, in which the four combinations that make up each team will strive to make their countries proud. Coming just a few weeks before the big summer showdown in the gardens of the Palace of Versailles, the Barrière Nations Cup will provide national coaches with a treasure trove of information. The French delegation, which won the 2017 edition, will be eager to shine on home turf.
2023 winner: Brazil
Saturday, 8 June — Derby Région Pays de la Loire (2:15 pm)
The Derby Région Pays de la Loire is one of the highlights of the event in La Baule. With its natural obstacles, it promises a great show that has become increasingly rare around the globe. This year, spectators will discover a course revamped by the course designer Grégory Bodo to make the competition even more thrilling and spectacular. The Irishman Shane Breen, riding Scarteen, claimed the 2023 edition by a single second over Julien Gonin on his gelding Caprice de Guinfard. Patrice Delaveau, the winner of the 2019 edition on Vestale de Mazure*HDC, remains the last French rider to take this traditional event.
Saturday, 8 June — Prix Saur (4:35 pm)
The Prix Saur, the individual event with the second-biggest prize, is also a last-minute opportunity to secure a ticket to the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule on Sunday. As an example of the depth of the field in this event, it was none other than the world number one, the Swede Henrik von Eckermann who clinched it last year on Glamour Girl, ahead of Grégory Cottard on Cocaïne du Val.
Saturday, 8 June — Legends’ Trophy (7:40 pm)
The Legends’ Trophy became an instant favourite when it was introduced last year. It features four illustrious riders who get back in the saddle for this unique occasion. The inaugural edition brought together Frédéric Cottier (FRA), Markus Fuchs (SUI), Éric Navet (FR) and Lars Nieberg (GER) in the “final four” format that capped the World Equestrian Games for many years. The cast of the 2024 edition will be unveiled in a few weeks, but one thing is for sure: the crowds are in for a hurricane of emotions.
Sunday 9 June — Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule (2 pm)
The grand finale. The event that everyone dreams of winning to follow in the footsteps of the all-time greats. 50 riders will fight to wrest the title from the Belgian Nicola Phillipaerts, who triumphed on Katanga van het Dingeshof last year. The cheers from the stands, always packed to the rafters, will galvanise the French contingent in their bid to succeed Nicolas Delmotte, the last victorious Blue Jacket, who won on Urvoso du Roch in 2021.
The village, a forum for exchanges
Held in parallel with the competition, the Officiel de France village will be a laid-back place with no shortage of spaces to discover between one event and the next. There will be the Partner village, nestled in the heart of the venue, with stands in the style of the traditional beach huts on the seafront of La Baule, and the Exhibitor village, with more than 50 stands and shops around the venue and under the stands of the stadium, not to mention the Champagne Bar and the horse well-being area, which brings together professionals dedicated to pampering our beloved partners.
The 2024 edition will once again show the world that the Jumping International de La Baule is a celebration that plunges fans into the heart of their passion.
