"International Jumping is at its peak": the world's best riders meet in Monaco

A grandstand nearing completion, marquees stretching for hundreds of meters, imposing blue posters bearing the inscription "Longines"... Port Hercule is undergoing a transformation. For a few days, it will have the appearance of an equestrian stadium. The Principality is preparing to host, from July 3 to 5, the Jumping International de Monte-Carlo, which offers several competitions, including the eighth of the sixteen stages of the Global Champions Tour, a world show jumping competition.

This 2025 edition "looks fantastic," says Diane Fissore, president of the Monaco Equestrian Federation, for whom "everything is in place to make it a memorable year ." Starting with the public, while "there isn't a single place left, everything is full." Over the three days, riders will jump increasingly high obstacles with their horses, ranging from 70 centimeters on Thursday morning to 1.60 meters on Saturday evening.

A dream cast for 2025

This year, many have responded to this first July meeting. Among the 57 international riders who will compete in the CSI 5*, the most competitive competition, is the German Christian Kukuk, Olympic champion of the Paris 2024 Games, as well as the bronze medalist Maikel Van der Vleuten. They will be accompanied by riders who have already triumphed in Monaco, the Austrian Max Kühner but also the French Julien Épaillard and Inès Joly, winners of the Grand Prix of the last three editions respectively. "A very strong and very positive sign ," emphasizes Diane Fissore. "Big names have preferred to come here, to Monaco, rather than to Aachen, one of the most renowned equestrian competitions which is organized during the same period."

A success that allows her to affirm, after reflection, that "Jumping is currently at its peak". And while last year, she was pleased to have "for the first time a rider from Monaco in 5-star" , it is three riders in the colors of the Principality who will be at the start of the CSI 5* 2025: Ilaria Sutera, Iñigo Lopez de la Osa Franco and Anastasia Nielsen. This record obviously delights the president of Jumping, who even affirms that "in the 2-star competition (CSI 2*), there could have been more but the European championships prevent Monegasques from being there . A sign that the equestrian sector continues to develop well in Monaco."

The anniversary of a special event

For this 19th edition, the Longines Pro Am Cup, a unique competition of its kind, will celebrate its 15th anniversary. This competition, a unique element of the Monte-Carlo Jumping, highlights the values ​​of cohesion by bringing together professional and amateur riders within the same team. A moment of sharing for them, as for the public, observes Diane Fissore: "It's a festive event. Every time, it creates a great atmosphere in the stands. It's above all fun. Not all spectators are enthusiasts. They enjoy it."

An initiative launched by Charlotte Casiraghi in 2010, the funds raised are donated to the AMADE association, the World Association of Friends of Children.

"We prefer heat to storms"

The only question for the organizers is the weekend's weather . "That's our only concern," explains the president of the Jumping Competition. A parameter over which she will have no control. "The heat, obviously, is difficult for everyone: the spectators, the riders, and the horses. But if we had to choose, we prefer it to thunderstorms. The most important thing is that there are none."

Unfortunately, while the sun has been high in the sky for several weeks now over the Rock, there is a risk of thunderstorms this Friday evening and Saturday morning. In the meantime, and for the rest of the competition, the silica sand on which the horses will perform is watered continuously throughout the day to prevent the ground from drying out, which can be caused by the high temperatures.

Jumping is both a show jumping competition and a race against the clock.