LUDO PHILIPPAERTS : "MONACO REMAINS MONACO!" 30th June - 2nd July 2022
From the 30th of June to the 2nd of July, the Longines Global Champions Tour - Jumping International de Monte-Carlo returns to the Port Hercules. With no less than 19 classes, including six at 5* level, and the presence of the best show-jumping riders on the planet, the 3 days of competition are once again set to be grandiose.
Prize giving ceremony of LGCT - Grand Prix du Prince de Monaco ©LGCT
While the historic port of Monaco is hosting the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) for the 16th time, the Principality is hosting an international jumping event for the 27th time. Many beautiful stories start with a meeting, and Diane Fissore, Chairwoman of the LGCT - Jumping International de Monte-Carlo and of the Equestrian Federation of the Principality of Monaco (FEPM) is a fine example. A lifelong horse-riding enthusiast, she crossed paths in 1994 with the late Belgian rider Eric Wauters, who wished to create a show-jumping event on the rock. As Monaco didn’t have an equestrian federation, the pair, in association with Marie-Pierre Gramaglia, set about the task, founding the FEPM in a few months and organising the first competition under the Fontvieille marquee. An adventure lasting 10 years, until the creation of the Longines Global Champions Tour, which took the event closer to the Mediterranean. "The idea of changing venue came in 2006. We were aware that in order to increase our standing and make this competition an unmissable date, we had to expand," confided Diane Fissore. "What Jan Tops (founder of the LGCT and GCL circuit) wanted to do was, at the time, very innovative and daring for the sport. When we met, we immediately understood each other and collaboration came naturally. Little by little, the Jumping de Monaco has moved upmarket, both in terms of the quality of the infrastructures and the prize money." consisting of only 6 stages, the Longines Global Champions Tour has since added several stops to its annual journey (15 stages in 2022). And, like Valkenswaard, Miami and Cannes, Monaco has a special place in the calendar. " Monaco is one of the historic stages of the circuit, and it is a real source of pride to still be here 16 years later. All the more so as its organisation is a challenge every year. Indeed, a few weeks before the horses, it’s the Formula 1s that populate the Port Hercules. Once the Grand Prix is over, it’s a tight schedule to change the scenery. It is always impressive and very exciting to see the event come to life!’’
Despite the 15 shows that have passed and the 16th that is coming up, the Chairwoman has fond memories of each of them and particularly of the first Grand Prix that took place on the Port Hercule, marked by the victory of the Belgian Ludo Philippaerts and his fantastic Parco, a star pair in the 2000s.
Belgian Champions in 2000, winners of Nations Cups in Aachen and Dublin in 2001, 4th in the team competition at the European Championships in Donaueschingen in 2003 and 4th in the individual competition at the Olympic Games in Athens the following year, victorious and placed in numerous 5* Grand Prix, Ludo Philippaerts and the stallion Parco left their mark on equestrian sport at the beginning of the 21st century. Although he was described as being at the end of his career in 2006, the impressive grey foiled all predictions and proved to be at the height of his glory. He won the LGCT Grand Prix at both Estoril and Monaco in quick succession, allowing him to become the first name on the list of the circuit’s championship winners, and above all, of the new outdoor event at Monte-Carlo. A victory he remembers with affection. ‘‘I have always loved the Monaco event. It’s very special, the arena is small and not all horses can participate, let alone win’’, explained the Belgian. ‘‘But this is also what makes its’ reputation. It’s in fact like the Formula 1 Grand Prix. All year round we see big circuits where the drivers can for example easily overtake and drive very fast. In Monaco this isn’t the case and yet it remains the most impressive and eagerly awaited of the season. This is what makes it so difficult and why it’s so mythical. It’s exactly the same with the jumping. I’d already come several times to take part at the Fontvieille indoor and when it was relocated to Port Hercules, I went for it, Monaco is still Monaco. This place is famous all over the World, and when you think about it, to have wanted to create a show-jumping event there is crazy. I’ve very good memories of this Grand Prix, on one hand because it was the first at the venue, but also because it was with Parco, my favourite horse. In 2006, when some thought his sporting career was finished, he proved the opposite and we won the very first Longines Global Champions Tour. In 2021, 15 years later, my son Olivier finished 3rd in this Grand Prix. It wasn’t a victory, but it's always a special moment to see him or Nicola at the same prize-giving ceremonies a few years later. Olivier will be at Monaco in 8 days time, and I hope he manages to get on the top step of the podium.’’ The message has been sent!
THE LONGINES PRO-AM CUP, A CSI2*, AND NATIONAL CLASSES ARE ALSO ON THE PROGRAMME!
The Equestrian Federation of the Principality of Monaco, which organises the Jumping, will be well represented. Led by its selector and trainer, the 2016 Rio Olympic Games gold medalist Philippe Rozier, the Monegasque team will be defending its colours in the national classes, as well as in the CSI2*.
On Friday evening, the Longines Pro-Am Cup, conceived and created by Charlotte Casiraghi in 2010, will bring together a CSI2* rider in a 5* rider in a festive and friendly class.
The ticketing of the Jumping International de Monte-Carlo is waiting for you:
