For 60 years, the International Jumping of La Baule managed to attract the most famous jumping champions and keep alight the flame of the true lovers of the discipline.
From its grandstand, more than half a century of history is watching us.
The adventure started in 1960, the day François André, Lucien Barrière’s uncle, ceded the land of the stadium to the City of La Baule.
La Baule already had a past closely linked to horses. Before the 1929 crisis, military raids used to connect Paris to La Baule. One of the winners of these long rides was the lieutenant Christian de Castries (future general who distinguished himself in Diên Biên Phu), also known for his high jump world record (2,38m with Vol-au-Vent at the Grand Palais of Paris in 1933). The old newspapers also relate a first equestrian meeting in 1931. But nothing really professionnal until 1960. The time for competitions among friends was over. The first event placed under the aegis of the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) was organized by Mr. Droz, first President of the official competitions of La Baule.
Since then, 60 years of history have been written here, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Over the years, the organizers managed to maintain this eternal youth, chase away the slightest wrinkle, in order to make each edition a popular and unforgettable show.
