Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré! – 2026 Edition Promises to Be a Memorable One

By Jumper News on 2026-05-20

Mâcon Chaintré, France – May 20, 2026 – Equestrian sport will once again take centre stage at the foot of the Château de Chaintré, from 21 to 24 May, at the Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré CSI 4*. This new edition of the CSI 4*, combining top-level sport, the French art of living and the hospitality for which Mâcon is renowned, is set to be an edition to remember.

The world’s best riders will come face to face in the ring in Mâcon, at a 4-day long show, on courses built by France’s Cédric Longis (FRA, with their sights set on the highly anticipated Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon, the highlight of the weekend, on Sunday.

This year’s field of riders once again includes several leading names in world show jumping. Two of Ireland’s top riders, Denis Lynch (IRL) and Mark McAuley (IRL), will be competing. John Whitaker (GBR), a regular at the event and a true show jumping legend, will also be taking part alongside his nephew Joe Whitaker (GBR), bringing a distinctly British touch to the event.

Brazil, meanwhile, can count on three impressive riders, including Marlon Módolo Zanotelli (BRA) and Pedro Junqueira Muylaert (BRA), regulars at the biggest international shows. Belgium will be represented by Rik Hemeryck (BEL), while Sanne Thijssen (NED), the Netherlands’ team silver medallist at the 2022 World Championships in Herning, will also be in the ring.

Swiss riders Bryan Balsiger (SUI), Edouard Schmitz and the experienced Pius Schwizer (SUI), winner of the Grand Prix in Mâcon in 2019, will also be coming with high hopes. Spectators will also be able to cheer on Morocco’s Abdelkebir Ouaddar (MAR), a regular at the international horse show and one of their firm favourites since his victory in the Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon in 2015.

France will be able to rely on a particularly ambitious line-up: Olivier Perreau (FRA), the team bronze medallist at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Philippe Rozier (FRA) and Roger-Yves Bost (FRA), the 2016 Olympic team medallists in Rio, and Marc Dilasser (FRA), the winner of last year’s Grand Prix of the Town of Mâcon, will be competing alongside Grégory Cottard (FRA) and Marie Demonte (FRA), who finished third in the 5* Grand Prix at Le Printemps des Sports Équestres just a few weeks ago. Talented riders Jeanne Sadran (FRA) and Mégane Moissonnier (FRA), who are ones to watch, will also be keen to add their names to the winners’ list.

Riders from Latin America will also be competing at the foot of the Château de Chaintré, such as Colombia’s René Lopez (COL), with his wealth of experience at the biggest international competitions, and Chile’s Jorge Matte Capdevila (CHI), who is coming to the event for the first time.

China will be among the nations represented for the first time at this year’s increasingly international show, with three riders competing: Sijin Wang (CHN), Cheng Yan (CHN) and Vicky Liu (CHN). Alongside the CSI 4*, some of the most promising young horses will also take centre stage in the CSI 1* classes, contributing to the friendly atmosphere that has become one of the event’s hallmarks for more than fifteen years.

With top riders, loyal partners, local gastronomy and moments of conviviality, the event continues to offer a unique blend of sporting excellence and the French art of living. A mustattend happening on the French equestrian calendar where spectators come both to cheer on the riders and enjoy the relaxed lifestyle in Mâcon.

Who will succeed last year’s winner in the Grand Prix of Town of Mâcon and add their name to the winners’ list in 2026? All will be revealed on Sunday 24 May in what promises to be an exciting competition.

Source: Press Release by Eloïse Lépine for Jumping International de Mâcon Chaintré CSI 4*