10th Saut Hermès set for this weekend in elegant, sometimes turbulent centre of Paris

Indeed, the beautiful setting for the competition – a place where weather conditions can affect horses and riders inside as light streams down and shadows are cast on the course – is inextricably linked to its image and identity. As has been previously described on Eurosport, the landmark Grand Palais is located on Paris’ Right Bank between the River Seine and Champs-Élysées. Inaugurated a few years after the nearby Eiffel Tower for the Universal Exhibition of 1900, the Beaux arts-style building is one of the most recognizable structures in the French capital – incorporating a classic stone facade, Art Nouveau ironwork and glass. In fact, the Grand Palais is said to be the largest existing ironwork and glass structure in the world, containing more steel than the Eiffel Tower.

In recent months, the ‘gilets jaunes’ or ‘yellow vests’ protest movement has held demonstrations across France over living costs, social inequalities, tax burdens and other issues. The focal point of these protests has been on Saturdays on the 1.9 kilometre-/1.2 mile-long Champs-Élysées, and at different moments, including last weekend, the wider group of demonstrators has been joined in the streets by individuals who have smashed and looted businesses, set fires and battled police. This map shows the location of the Grand Palais in relation to the Avenue, with the treed boulevard between them normally serving as the site for temporary stables during the event. 

Nevertheless, with the French government having announced earlier this week that it will prohibit unauthorized demonstrations in the area, the picturesque competition (‘sauter’ means to jump in French) is set to proceed from March 22–24. And many of the best horses and riders in the world are in the French capital to face off in the different classes, including Sunday’s €400,000 Grand Prix, whose 1.60m jumps and tight, technical course make it one of the most demanding tests on the international show jumping circuit.

Among the 52 riders with 97 horses from 19 countries entered at the 5* level are Great Britain’s Scott Brash and Louise Saywell, Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander of Australia, Ireland’s Bertram Allen, Denis Lynch and Mark McAuley, World No.1 Steve Guerdat of Switzerland, France’s Simon Delestre, Sweden’s Henrik von Eckermann and Germany’s Daniel Deusser. Several athletes in the field will subsequently be heading to the Longines FEI World Cup Final in Gothenburg, Sweden, from April 3–7. 

In parallel with the 5* competition in Paris, the Saut Hermès also includes a prominent young talents component for U-25 riders.