Gucci Paris Masters 2012: A star-studded spectacular!

The 4th Gucci Paris Masters will take place from November 30th to December 2nd 2012 at the Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre during the Paris Horse Show, and will bring together the very best riders in the world.

Friday, November 30th will be an “Open Day”, with visitors invited to watch the day's action free of charge, admire the riders as they train in the paddock, and take a stroll around the Prestige Village. Children can get a foot in the stirrups with free introductions to riding available over the three days in the “Pony Paddock”, in partnership with various charities.

The Gucci Paris Masters will feature fifteen sporting events altogether, at three different levels of international competition (CSI5*, CSI2*, CSI1*), with a total purse of 621,500 euros.
Here are some of the main highlights:

– The “Speed Challenge” (CSI 5*, Friday, November 30th – 9.45pm) will pit around forty competitors against each other in a spectacular event with victory going to the fastest horse and rider pair,

– the “Battle of the Sexes” (CSI 5*, Saturday, December 1st – 10.15pm) will see the 10 best male riders go head to head against their female counterparts in a unique contest,

– the “GUCCI Grand Prix” (CSI 5*, Sunday, December 2nd – 3.15pm), the culmination of the three days, will see the 40 best pairs from the CSI 5* programme compete to decide the champion.

Steve Guerdat (SWI), Olympic champion, Ben Maher (GB), Olympic Team Champion, Rolf-Göran Bengtsson (SWE), European Champion, Pius Schwizer (SWI), world n°3, Edwina Tops-Alexander (AUS), world n°11, Marcus Ehning (GER), World Team Champion, Kevin Staut and Pénélope Leprevost, members of the Vice-World Championship winning French team…have all already confirmed they will be competing in Paris.

Once again this year, the Gucci Paris Masters will include what has become a major highlight of the three days – the Style & Competition Challenge for AMADE (Saturday, December 1st – 8.15pm), orchestrated by Charlotte Casiraghi and featuring professional and amateur riders, to raise funds for the World Association of Children's Friends, whose President is H.R.R. Princess Caroline of Hanover. The 2011 edition proved a big hit, with the likes of Nicolas Canteloup appearing disguised as Dalton, Benjamin Castaldi as Superman and Charlotte Casiraghi in a disco outfit. No doubt this year's teams will have some new surprises in store for spectators.

The Gucci Paris Masters will also be the place to be for many well-known personalities. Charlotte Casiraghi, Jessica Springsteen, Benjamin Castaldi, Julien Courbet, Nicolas Canteloup and Hannah Selleck are already in training and will be looking to produce their best performances.