Jumping International de Megève

Some of the World's best riders have made a habit of coming to Megève for the Jumping International.

Jumping International de Megève

Simon Delestre & Chesall Zimequest, victorious in 2017 and 2018 ©Daniel Durand

A glance at the list of past winners is enough to understand the attachment to the Alpine competition, and the 2024 edition, from the 6th to the 14th of July, will be no exception. With its unique atmosphere and the quality of the conditions offered to horses and riders, the competition always attracts top names in show jumping.

Coming to watch the Jumping International of Megève is a guarantee of seeing riders who are at home at the biggest international events. From the first class of the CSI 3* on Wednesday the 10th of July to its climax on Sunday, the Grand Prix de Megève, the champions will once again be competing in the heart of the village, against the striking backdrop of the surrounding mountains.

Even though they figure among the World's top 10, and some have many titles and medals to their name, they all look forward to the Megève rendezvous with tremendous enthusiasm. Simon Delestre, who has been among the World's top ten for a number of months (8th in the May rankings) and is tipped to take part in the next Olympic Games, has forged a special relationship with the Jumping of Megève. ‘’I learnt to ski in Megève and regularly go there in the winter with my children," he confided. ‘’It's a competition that I love and it’s always a great pleasure to return’’. Inspired by the atmosphere, the rider from Lorraine in the east of France has even won the Grand Prix de Megève - Edmond de Rothschild twice with Chesall Zimequest, in 2017 and 2018.

Although he never participated in the competition, having retired from sport long before, Pierre Durand, the 1988 Olympic champion at Seoul with the legendary Jappeloup, talks with great pleasure about the competition he attends every year. "When the new team relaunched the competition, they contacted me for advice and contacts. The classes held in the heart of the village give it a special feeling that’s appreciated by all top-level riders.’

A double team bronze medallist at the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Games, World team champion in 1982, individual World silver medallist in 1994 and winner of numerous prestigious classes, Michel Robert won the Grand Prix at the Jumping of Megève in 2013 with Nenuphar Jac. At the age of 75, the doyen of French equestrianism, who is still present on show-grounds, also underlines his attachment to the event. His memories even go back well before the new version of Jumping launched in 2011. ‘’I first came to compete in Megève in 1968, in a grass meadow and the horses were housed in the hangar at the altiport," he recalls. ‘’Today, it's a special, family event with volunteer organisers who go out of their way to ensure that the horses are well looked after. We're always well received and the public is incredible. It's a place where you find that warm atmosphere, unique to the mountain spirit.

The list of top international riders who have come to shine in Megève is long. There are plenty of French riders of course, including Olivier Robert, winner of the Grand Prix in 2016 on Quenelle du Py, and Olivier Perreau, a rider from the Rhône-Alpes region who finished fourth in 2021 and tipped to be part of the future French Olympic team with his excellent GL Events Dorai d'Aiguilly. There were also be foreigners like Morocco's Abdelkbir Ouaddar, his country's first representative at the Olympic Games, former winner of the Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais and winner of the Grand Prix de Megève - Edmond de Rothschild in 2019 with Brooklyn de Hus. Austria’s Max Kühner, who has been among the World's best for several seasons (currently n° 7), has also been on the list of starters at Megève. Charlotte McCauley, who was a reserve team member for Sweden at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and lives at the Haras de la Tuilière just a few kilometres from Megève with her husband Mark, a member of the Irish team, has also fallen under the spell. ‘’Competitions held in the Mountains, in ski stations, are always special, with a holiday feel in magnificent surroundings," she explains. What's more, in summer it's often a bit cooler and that's pleasant. It's a really special time.’’ A competition that is unanimously described by top riders as  "special", "apart", "family" and « warm".

Even if we still have to wait a few weeks to discover the entries, there is no doubt that the line-up at the Jumping International de Megève will not be lacking in great champions, because a win at Megève has a unique flavour.    

Free admission.