From 5th to 8th June 2025, the François André stadium will be welcoming the best riders and horses in the world for the Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France. Over four days, this major equestrian sports event, at which modernity has successfully combined with respect for history and tradition, will be putting on an elite sporting show. On Thursday 5th June, the doors of the event village will open for the 2025 edition. There are only 100 days left before the stands and lanes will fill up with spectators determined to enjoy the first jumps of the world circuit’s best performing horses.
Key points
- The 2025 edition of the Jumping International de La Baule – Officiel de France, from 5th to 8th
- The world’s best riders will again be present.
- Each day will boast high points, with extremely competitive contests such as the Prix FFE, Prix Saur, prestigious Barrière Nations Cup, Derby and, as the finale, the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule.
- The 2025 poster is unveiled, designed by Camille Gentil.
THE HIGH POINTS
Thursday 5th June – Prix FFE (14.00)
From the first day of the meeting, two CSIO 5* events will allow the riders and horses to get to grips with the competition, already intent on performing well on the first rounds, because The Prix FFE will be handing out the first possibilities to participate in the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule on Sunday.
Friday 6th June – Coupe des Nations Barrière (13.30)
For decades, the CSIO 5* Barrière Nations Cup at the Jumping International de La Baule, Officiel de France, has been a landmark of the international show jumping season. Though most often an individual sport, in this case riding takes on a whole new dimension. The riders, united behind their national flag and team leader, who provide unwavering support to their team-mates, first and foremost ride for their country. This event is contested in a traditional format, with four duos per team from which only the best 3 performances are recorded, in order to protect the horses. Last year, France, which won the bronze medal at the Paris Olympic Games, finished in second place, just one point behind Germany. This year, the members of the French team hope to reacquaint themselves with victory, eight years after their last success in La Baule.
Saturday 7th June – Derby (14.00)
Saturday is Derby day! For very many years, spectators have hurried to the François André stadium to make sure they do not miss a moment of this monument of equestrian sport’s history. It was modified and modernised in 2024 by track manager Grégory Bodo and the new course won over the crowds and the riders, attracted by a unique event that is becoming increasingly rare on the international circuit. With a water crossing, drop height, rise height and bank, it boasts all the required ingredients for a splendid sporting spectacle. Last year, only two duos were able to complete the course without any faults. Irish rider Shane Sweetnam on Irandole du Flot beat the 2012 Olympic Champion and silver medallist at the most recent Games, Steve Guerdat on Easy Star de Talma. France has been waiting since 2019 for a successor to Patrice Delaveau on Vestale de Mazure*HDC.
Saturday 7th June – Prix Saur (16.30)
The Prix Saur is contested in a Grand Prix format, with a first leg followed by a ride-off for all the duos who have not committed any faults. It is the event with the second most prize money and for certain riders it is the last means of obtaining a starting place on the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule on Sunday.
Saturday 7th June – Étoiles du Complet (20.00)
The Étoiles du Complet made its first appearance last year and thrilled the crowds, who were delighted to see the major French names in the eventing discipline come together for an event that is all about the show. In the saddle were Olympic team event champions, World and European champions as well as winners of major competitions, all under the guidance of the ‘wizard’ Thierry Touzaint, a multi-medal winning coach. Nicolas Touzaint, Stéphane Landois and Karim Lagouagh were present last year for the first edition and several weeks later in Versailles went on to win an Olympic team silver medal. The casting for the 2025 edition of the ‘Etoiles du Complet’ will be revealed in several weeks’ time.
Sunday 8th June – Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule (14.00)
The queen event is the one that the 50 riders who will start it all dream of adding to their roll of honour. Winning the Rolex Grand Prix Ville de La Baule means writing your name in the history of the competition as well as that of equestrian sport. The event, which was dominated last year by American riders thanks to the success of Kent Farrington on Greya ahead of Karl Cook on Caracole de la Roque, offers the promise of great sport, with some very memorable ride-offs every year. Nicolas Delmotte, on Urvoso du Roch, was the last French rider to have La Marseillaise ring out to celebrate his victory, in 2021.
Alongside the CSIO 5* events, the CSI 1* events will allow amateur riders to enjoy an extraordinary experience on the same track as the world’s best.
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The 2025 poster by Camille Gentil
A competition poster bears witness to its identity. The one for the 2025 edition was imagined by Camille Gentil, an artist based in the Sarthe area and a rider since a very young age. “For a long time, I had been dreaming of designing the poster for the Jumping de La Baule, which is one of the most beautiful competitions in the world, with a magnificent grass track, the best riders and a unique ambiance,” says Camille. “It was an obvious choice to combine my world, my skills and my passion. It’s a bit of a consecration for me, a great honour for me”.
Camille Gentil has already designed many equestrian creations and used several concepts to create the poster for 2025. “I’m a big fan of illustrator Malika Favre and I like a fairly uncluttered design,” she explains. “The Jumping de La Baule is an event for the general public. The poster must therefore be understood by everyone, not just aficionados. When people drive past a poster, they need to get the message straight away. The key is to be simple and effective, while at the same time evoking emotion and piquing interest. The Hermitage features on this poster because it is one of the town’s emblematic symbols. It also has a long-standing link to the competition. I also sought to highlight the beautiful values of horse riding, the harmony between rider and horse. It was important to depict the action of the hands, the position of the limbs and the ears. To do this, being a rider is an asset”. Creating the competition poster means one of Camille Gentil’s first dreams has come true. She already knows what the next one is: “To ride on the tracks in the CSI 1*!”
