Paris, France – March 14, 2024 –  On March 15, 16 and 17, the Hermès house will welcome sixty of the world’s best riders and their horses to the Grand Palais Éphémère for three days of competition labeled 5*, the highest level of international competitions. Twenty international hopefuls under the age of 25 will also take part in the Hermès talent tests. A few days before their entry onto the track, we take a look at the couples competing in the Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais Éphémère, 2024 edition.

The line-up for this fourteenth edition of the Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais, organized in partnership with GL events, promises intense moments of sport and suspense. Henrick von Eckermann (SUE), world number 1 for more than a year, has confirmed his presence as have his runners-up Ben Maher (GBR) and Steve Guerdat (SUI), both partner riders of Hermès. The leading trio in the international ranking will be surrounded by serious competitors, like the two best French riders Julien Épaillard (4th) and Simon Delestre (7th), also a Hermès partner rider. Currently eighth in the world rankings, Max Khüner (AUT) completes the list of six representatives of the top 10 announced on the Parisian track. To take up the sporting challenge proposed by the Spanish course manager Santiago Varela Ullastres, many other champions responded. No less than twenty nations will actually be represented in this competition.

Brazil will be able to count on Marlón Módolo Zanotelli (BRA), team bronze medalist at the Pan American Games last fall, and Santiago Lambre (BRA), recent winner of the 5* Grand Prix in Doha (Qatar). The Belgian Pieter Devos, winner last February of the FEI World Cup Grand Prix in Basel (SUI) will also be on the track, alongside his compatriots Gudrun Patteet (BEL), Rik Hemeryck (BEL), Wil Vermeir (BEL) and Jérôme Guéry (BEL), rider partner of Hermès since 2017 Germany will also present a large delegation made up of regulars from the Parisian meeting such as Christian Ahlmann (GER), Daniel Deusser (GER) or Marcus Ehning (GER), but also younger and no less talented ones, Kendra Claricia Brinkop (GER) or Philipp Schulze Topphoff. Victor Bettendorf (LUX), who won his first 5* grand prix at Saut Hermès last year, will be present to attempt the double that only Marcus Ehning (GER) and Simon Delestre (GER) have achieved so far.

Finally, this year France will have sixteen representatives among the most successful of the moment, including the experienced Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), the reigning French Pro Elite champion Edward Levy (FRA), Kevin Staut (FRA) three times winner in CSI 5* since the start of year, or Olivier Perreau (FRA), partner rider of GL events, author of a double clear round in the Abu Dhabi Nations League last January. The younger generation will also be well represented, in particular by Julien Anquetin who counts seven victories and three podiums in 4* and 5* competitions since December, or even Jeanne Sadran (FRA), who is preparing, at only 22 years old, to take part in her first FEI World Cup Final after her second place in the FEI World Cup Grand Prix in Bordeaux last February.

In the Hermès talent events, Germany, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, Ireland, Switzerland and Sweden will present two hopefuls under 25 years old . Among them, the medalists of the last European Young Riders team championships, the Belgian Jules van Hoydonck (21 years old – silver medalist) and the British Claudia Moore (19 years old – bronze medalist), or the Irishman Coen Williams (18 years old), reigning European Junior team champion. France, third in the major event last year, will count on Jules Orsolini (FRA and Wiliam Ligier de la Prade (FRA) , regularly side by side during the Young Riders Nations Cups. The Hermès talent tests are also often an opportunity to discover great family adventures. This year, Mathieu Guéry (BEL), 19 years old, and Matias Larocca (ARG), 25 years old, will also be present to defend the colors of their countries, while their fathers will appear at the start of the CSI 5*.

Source: Press Release (translated & edited) from Saut Hermès

Photo: © Saut Hermès / Christophe Tanière

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