Megève, July 2016 – Today sees the opening of the 6th edition of the Jumping International de Megève – Edmond de Rothschild, six days of fabulous competition in perspective with a CSI***, a CSI* as well as classes for Pro/Am riders! The Mégevan rendez-vous, which has become unavoidable, this year welcomes entries from the World’s best, as well as from on-form stars of the moment. The sporting entertainment and conviviality of the location is greatly appreciated each year by the public, who will certainly be present right from the start.
Some 350 riders and 500 horses will be battling over courses designed by Frédéric Cottier, THE Megève course builder, so named as he has been lending his expertise to the competition since it’s conception. In view of the entries on the master-list, the job is likely to be very interesting. A number of foreign pilots, who haven’t yet galloped across the authentic and reputed alpine arena, will be settling into their quarters at altitude before unveiling their talent. Colombians Daniel Bluman (3rd at the Hambourg and Chantilly LGCT ) and Roberto Teran-Furan (Winner of the Nations Cup at Wellington, and 2nd in the Harthill-Bolesworth GP) will without doubt increase the heat of the atmosphere. Pius Schwizer (SUI), who seems to appreciate French show grounds – after visits to Chantilly, Saint-Tropez, Cannes not forgetting a stop off at Monte-Carlo – will inevitably be trying to seize Sunday’s Grand Prix which counts towards the World ranking list and offers 60,000 € in prize money, raising the Jumping de Megève to the top of its’ category. These top of the bill names are joined by younger international stars such as Nadja Peter-Steiner (SUI) or Constant van Paesschen (BEL) who are rarely fazed by the dexterity of their elders, and often lower the clock with electrifying insolence.
Home nation riders will also have their word to say at this open air meeting. There are numerous talented French starters in the 10 classes making up the 3 star competition. Notably the Hécart family, father and daughters (Michel, Marie and Adeline), will be coming in force. Popular and successful, Robert Breul and Harold Boisset, who stood out recently at Chantilly and Cannes for one, at Fontainebleau and Paris for the other, will be hoping to continue their run of good performances. Aymeric de Ponnat will be bringing three of his horses, including his excellent and stylish stallion Ricoré Courcelle. Finally the younger but no less experienced generation can be counted on, with couples who will be making sure to show their skill over the biggest heights whilst aiming to land that elusive clear round on Sunday, riders like Margaux Bost, 2nd at La Baule and Lons-le-Saunier ; Alexandra Paillot, French Pro Elite vice-Champion ; Alexandre Fontanelle, a familiar face here ; Hugo Breul who did really well at La Baule also ; and not forgetting puissance specialist, Julien Anquetin, who cleared 2.05m at Bourg-en-Bresse recently.
Situated within the heart of the village on the Palais des Sports plaza, this chic and free entry rendezvous democratises show-jumping, attracting both the knowledgeable and the novice, federating equestrian sport lovers and summer holidaymakers looking for those special memories. The Megève en Selle team is impatient to start this 6th edition, which, between the Tour de France and the Megève Jazz Contest, will undoubtedly know how to make it’s echo resonate as one of the major events of the summer !
