Mâcon Chaintré, France – May 23, 2024 – This year, the Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré which was created in 2010 by the Mâcon Chaintré Événements association and became a CSI 3* in 2014, is becoming one of the few CSI 4* events organised in France. The ring in Mâcon will play host to more than 70 of the world’s best riders, in the charming setting at the foot of the Château de Chaintré, from 23rd to 26th May. Here we take a closer look at the champions competing with just a few hours to go before the first horses arrive on site.

The 72 riders competing in the CSI 4, from Thursday on courses built by French course designer Cédric Longis (FRA), will be trying to obtain a ticket for Sunday’s Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon, which will host the weekend’s 50 best riders. And there are some serious contenders among them! 2012 Olympic team gold medallist Scott Brash (GBR) will be competing. The Belgian delegation will comprise Jérôme Guéry (BEL), team bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics, Rik Hemeryck, Constant van Paesschen and Céline Schoonbroodt-de Azevedo (BEL), who will be competing with her family, her husband, Luiz Felipe Cortizo Gonçalves de Azevedo Filho (BRA) and her son, Luis Felipe de Azevedo Neto (BEL), representing Brazil in this CSI 4*. Germany’s Hans-Dieter Dreher (GER), Ireland’s Mark McAuley (IRL), Luxembourg’s Victor Bettendorf (LUX), Colombia’s René Lopez (COL) and Turkey’s Derin Demirsoy (TUR) have also confirmed their presence, along with Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MAR), the first Moroccan to win Mâcon Chaintré’s CSI 3* Grand Prix 10 years ago. As for the Swiss riders, the 2021 European team gold medallist Bryan Balsiger will compete. Last but not least, young Jennifer Höchstadter (LIE), third in the challenging 5* Grand Prix at Le Printemps des Sports Équestres a few weeks ago, will be keen to put Liechtenstein in the spotlight.

France will have 37 representatives competing against these champions including some of its most outstanding riders! Almost all of the riders pre-selected for the Paris 2024 Olympics will be present. World number 4 Julien Epaillard (FRA) will be competing with his leading horses, Dubaï du Cèdre and Donatello d’Auge. Simon Delestre (FRA), eighth in the World rankings, will be present with the leaping Cayman Jolly Jumper in particular. The Olympic mare of Olivier Perreau (FRA), from the Loire region, will be having a rest, but the rider will be keen to shine with GL Events Dolce Deceuninck, GL Events Venizia d’Aiguilly and Krack des Jonanins.

Marie Pellegrin (FRA), Mégane Moissonnier (FRA) and Inès Joly (FRA), who are regularly featured in the French selections, will also be competing. Burgundy’s Morgan Bordat (FRA), the winner of last year’s 3* Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon, will be defending his title faced with this increased competition. Three of our new French champions, crowned in Fontainebleau at the end of April during the FFE Master Pro Championships, will also be taking up the challenge, including Burgundy’s, Alexandre Reumaux (FRA), French Young Rider Champion and Alexandre Fontanelle (FRA), French Pro 1 Champion. Cédric Hurel, the 2024 French Pro Elite Champion and the 2022 winner of the 3* Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon, will also be present.

In addition to the CSI 4, there will be CSI YH classes for seven- and eight-year-old horses, as well as a CSI 1* allowing professional and amateur riders to take part in the friendly, festive competition organised by the Mâcon Chaintré Événements association.

So from Thursday to Sunday there will be exciting sport in Mâcon Chaintré equestrian centre’s ring! Who will be the first to add their name to the list of winners of the 4* Grand Prix? All will be revealed on Sunday 26th May, from 3 pm.

Source: Press Release from Eloïse Lepine for Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré

Photo: © Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré

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