Following the thrilling spectacle of the Paris Olympics in the gardens of Versailles, the excitement continues at the prestigious Jiva Hill Stables 5* International Dressage Competition. Taking place from August 28 to September 1, the event will feature an appearance by the legendary German dressage rider Isabell Werth, a multiple Olympic, World and European medallist. Alongside the competitions, there will be entertainment for families and a horse show on Friday evening.
This year, the CDI 5* Jiva Hill Stables reaches new heights with the participation of the world’s top-ranked rider, Germany’s Isabell Werth. One page would not be enough to describe her record, which includes no fewer than seven Olympic selections since 1992. Each time she has taken part, she has finished on the podium, always winning gold in the team event and silver in the individual event, except for the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, when she also won the title with her unforgettable Gigolo. A multiple medallist in team and individual events at world and European championships, Isabell Werth is the perfect embodiment of the discipline of dressage. Next week, she will ride DSP Quantaz, the horse she has successfully ridden at the World Championships in Herning (2022), the World Cup Final in Omaha (2023), the European Championships in Riesenbeck (2023) and the World Cup Final in Riyadh (2024).
Competing against her in the two 5-star classes will be Belgian champion Larissa Pauluis, who placed fifth in the team event at the Paris Olympics, and France’s Alexandre Ayache, who secured sixth place in the same event. As will France-based Portuguese rider Carlos Pinto and Germany’s Matthias Rath, team silver medallist at the 2023 European Championships with Thiago Gs Old. French rider Arnaud Serre, sixth in the team event at the last European Championships with James Bond De Massa, will also be taking part. On the Swiss side, despite the Elite Swiss Championships being held on the same dates, three riders will be competing: Aude Bongard (3*), Antonella Joannou (2*) and Marie Manegold (1*).
15 nations and 80 horses
In all, no fewer than fifteen nations will be represented and some 80 horses will be entered in the various categories on the program. While the 5* classes will be held over the weekend, riders under 25 and amateurs will start competing on Wednesday at 2pm. The categories reserved for young horses as well as the 1*, 2* and 3* competitions will punctuate the other days of this week dedicated to dressage.
Alongside the competitions, there will be a range of activities for children on Saturday and Sunday from 10am to 4pm. A photo area with carousel horses, a horseshoe-throwing competition, a coloring workshop, hobby horse courses and even rides on little horses: these are sure to delight the youngest visitors!
Equestrian show: elegance and adrenaline !
The Friday evening equestrian show, for which there is a separate ticket office, will be all poetry, thrills and emotion. Rider Alizée Froment will be presenting tableaux combining dressage and dance, some of which will be performed with her 7-year-old daughter. For his part, Icario will be presenting acrobatic acts, stunts and even some of the events in a medieval tournament.
There will also be a snack bar on site. Wednesday 28 August is free, but there will be ticketing (€5 to €10) for the other days of the competition. A weekly ticket is also available for the most passionate.
Crozet, 21 August 2024.
Photo © FEI