In just over a month, the world’s best riders and horses will gather in La Baule for the Jumping International de La Baule – Official of France. From June 11 to 14, all eyes will be on the Stade François André for this major event on the international equestrian calendar and a stage of the Rolex Series. Over four days, spectators will enjoy top-level sporting action highlighted by several key moments.
KEY POINTS:
- Barrière Nations Cup: A must-attend event on the road to the World Championships in Aachen
- Master class: Horse trainer Andy Booth in the arena of the Stade François André!
- Highlights of the CSIO 5*:
Thursday 11th June– Prix FFE – 1:50pm
Friday 12th June – Barrière Nations Cup – 1:30pm
Saturday 13th June – Prix Saur – 11:30am and Derby de La Baule Demeures de Campagne – 5:15pm
Sunday 14th June– Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule – 2:30pm
- Highlights of the CSI1*:
Saturday 13th June – Derby Laiterie de Montaigu – 3:00pm
Sunday 14th June – Grand Prix Range Rover – 12:30pm
THE BARRIÈRE NATIONS CUP: A KEY EVENT AHEAD OF THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
While the Jumping International de La Baule – Official of France is already one of the season’s most important events, it takes on even greater significance with the World Championships in Aachen (GER, August 19–23) approaching, which serve as qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. The Barrière Nations Cup will therefore be a crucial stepping stone for the selectors of the 10 nations competing:
Germany – Saudi Arabia – Belgium – France – Great Britain – Ireland – Italy – Sweden – Switzerland – USA
Edouard Couperie, French team selector:
“The Jumping International de La Baule – Official of France is always a very important event in our season. It will be even more so this year with the World Championships in sight, also held on a grass arena. We are fortunate to be able to enter many horse-and-rider combinations individually, allowing us to take a comprehensive look at our squad. There will still be two months to go before the World Championships, and we know how much can happen with horses in that time, but La Baule should give me a clear idea of my French team.”
WHEN COMPETITION MEETS KNOWLEDGE SHARING
At every level, whether competing or not, the relationship developed with one’s horse and concern for its well-being are essential. With this in mind, the Jumping International de La Baule – Official of France has invited Andy Booth, a world-renowned expert in equine education, to host a masterclass on the grass arena of the Stade François André.
On Saturday, June 13 at 7:15pm, for one hour, the man many call “the horse whisperer” will share some of his secrets with the audience. He will be joined by two of his students and their horses for a live demonstration.
“I will base this masterclass on equine learning and explain the difference between educating and riding,” explains the Australian ethologist. “The goal will be to carry out exercises with minimal constraint, to make better use of the body and less of the hands, and also to show how to turn the rider’s idea into the horse’s idea. Riders should not only be good pilots, but true animal educators, aiming for collaboration rather than submission with their horse. A better understanding of how horses learn leads to more ethical riding and improved performance.”
The masterclass will take place following the Derby de La Baule Demeures de Campagne and, like all the weekend’s events, will be freely accessible.
Andy Booth will also give a talk open to all in the well-being village on Saturday, June 13 at 2:00pm. The full program of talks and sessions is available online: https://www.labaule-cheval.com/fr/village-bien-etre-du-cheval/