The World’s Elite Show Jumping in Chantilly

After a successful debut event in 2010, it was understandable that the most prestigious show jumping circuit of the world would return on 22 and 24th July to Chantilly. Last year, the riders left the majestic place in the north of Paris with impressions of a high-quality infrastructure, particularly that of the Meautry arena, as well as enchantment through the beauty of the space, of Chantilly itself. They all dream of coming back but this privilege is only reserved for the world’s thirty best riders according to the FEI world rankings with Canadian Eric Lamaze holding the number one position since June.

What is the Global Champions Tour?

The Global Champions Tour is the circuit that’s most highly praised by international riders. As if inspired by the system of Formula 1, there are ten Grand Prix that are disputed in nine different countries: Doha (Qatar), Valence (Spain), Hamburg (Germany), Cannes (France), Monte-Carlo (Monaco), Chantilly (France), Valkenswaard (Netherlands), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) and Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). The beauty and magnificent setting that Chantilly has to offer have seduced Jan Tops, the initiator of the circuit, to add one more French stage to the GCT in 2010. After Cannes, it is thus the stop in Chantilly that makes France the only country that hosts two stages of the world’s top show jumping circuit.

Why the world’s best show jumping riders?

It’s actually the principle of the GCT: The circuit is reserved for the thirty best riders of the FEI world ranking (the equivalent of the tennis ATP ranking for showjumping). The riders participate in all stages of the GCT, trying to end up amidst the 18 best at the end of the season, in order to get a big slice of the one-million-Euro cake that will be divided among them in Rio de Janeiro. The Grand Prix with a prize money of 285.000€ is already a convincing argument for the professional riders.

Why Chantilly?

The exceptional space framed by the Grand Stables and the Château de Chantilly would already be a valid argument to choose Chantilly and on top of that, there is a team with the know-how to entice Jan Tops. A new arena of 15.000 square metres with fibred grass has been installed thanks to Edouard de Rothschild and France Galop. A red-carpet-like ground for the world’s best riders that was inaugurated by a feminine trio in the GCT Grand Prix of Chantilly last year: the American Laura Kraut, the French rider Pénélope Leprévost and the Australian Edwina Alexander.

For Free!

Last year, nine riders out of the Top 10, and 27 out of the Top 30 including all the champions (Olympic, European, World and World Indoor) came to Chantilly. Stars of show jumping with equal importance can be awaited this year in July, additionally the new World Champion Philippe Le Jeune (Belgium), one of the most loyal frequenters of Jumping de Chantilly ever since its first international edition. Legendary names like Ludger and Meredith Beerbaum, Christian Ahlmann (recent winner of the World Cup), Rodrigo Pessoa, Marcus Ehning, Jessica Kuerten, Denis Lynch, Luciana Diniz, Michel Robert (winner of the Grand Prix Equidia in 2010) and the other three French riders of the world Top 30, one of which is the current #2 of the rankings – Kevin Staut – will thus come back to Chantilly. The access to the spectacular show is free.

Big stands will be set around the new arena, and an even bigger exhibition area including all the required gastronomy can be expected.

Chantilly welcomes its guests with open arms to make them discover the best of this sport.