Fontainebleau (France), 24 august 2017 – France will be the top setting for one of the most awaited event for European breaders: Les Grandes Semaines. Le Grandes Semaines de Fontainebleau is an unmissable fixture on the equestrian calendar that sees 1,850 horses from 2 to 7 years-old competing in 2 disciplines: Show jumping and Show Hunter.
Breeders, owners and riders gather every year at the end of summer to present the elite horses from their stables while dealers are on the lookout for some great buys. The horses and their teams have worked hard all year to qualify and come to the Grande Semaine with just one goal: grab the title of CHAMPION of their age group.
The Grande Semaine is a rite of passage where tomorrow’s equine stars are discovered as well as an opportunity for professionals and amateurs to meet up and share experiences, and for horse and breeding enthusiasts to find out what’s new and to celebrate together.
The Grande Semaine de Fontainebleau is a major event in the show jumping and breeding worlds. The SHF final is a major international show jumping event that attracts almost 30,000 visitors every year. Approximately 80 exhibitors will be present in a village entirely dedicated to horses, giving them a fantastic showcase alongside the stands occupied by national breed associations, regional breeders’ associations, stallion owners, dealers and institutional organisations. Besides the commercial activities at the Grand Parquet venue, the Grande Semaine de Fontainebleau is also a huge boost for local businesses (restaurants and hotels) that will benefit from the rush of visitors over the 9 days.
The Société Hippique Française, the parent body for young sport horses and ponies, is once again this year organising national finals in 6 disciplines: Show jumping, Eventing, Dressage, Driving, Endurance and Show Hunter.
The program of Les Grandes Semaines 2017, 26th August to 3rd September, is well articulated with a full slot of events:
– Sologn’Pony from 17th to 20th August
Showjumping for C and D category ponies from 4, 5 and 6-years of age.
– The Grande Semaine de Fontainebleau from 26th August to 3rd September
Showjumping, Cycle Libre (amateur category) horses in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of competition and Cycle Classique (professional category), 4, 5, 6 and 7 year-old horses / Show Hunter 4, 5 and 6 year-old horses
– The Grande Semaine de Pompadour from 13th to 17th September
Showjumping, Cycle Libre (amateur category) horses in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of competition and Cycle Classique (professional category), 4, 5, and 6 year-old horses and 4, 5 and 6 year-old category D ponies
– The Grande Semaine de Saumur from 21st to 24th September
Dressage Cycle Libre for horses in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of competition and Cycle Classique 4, 5 and 6 year-old horses and 4, 5 and 6 year-old ponies
– The Grande Semaine de Compiègne from 30th September to 1st October
Driving for Cycle Libre horses and ponies in their 1st, 2nd and 3rd year of competition
– The Grande Semaine d’Uzès from 5th to 8th October
Endurance Cycle Libre for 4, 5 and 6 year-old horses, no maximum speed required and for 6 year-olds, with a set speed
