Compiègne’s 13th Internationaux de Dressage will be taking place from the 2nd to the 5th of May 2024 at the Grand Parc equestrian stadium. Appreciative of the quality of the conditions offered at the site in the Oise Departement of France, the World’s top dressage riders and their horses will once again be taking part in the 5* CDIO, the only FEI Dressage Nations’ Cup to be held in France. The opportunity for the public, who always attend in large numbers at Compiègne, to enjoy the performances of some of the horses and riders who will be excelling themselves in the gardens at the Château de Versailles this summer.
Charlotte Fry & Everdale in 2023
Dressage is a magnificent spectacle. Each year in the spring, horses and riders at Compiègne’s internationaux de dressage put on a brilliant display. The 13th edition, from the 2nd to the 5th of May, will be no exception. As every year, the World’s best will be in attendance for the 5* CDIO, the second leg on the prestigious FEI Nations Cup circuit, following Wellington (USA, February) and before Budapest (HON, May), Rotterdam (HOL, June), Aachen (GER, July) and Falsterbo (SUE, July). They will be performing in front of those who will be judging them at Versailles this summer, in their bids to win the most prestigious of golds.
A glance down the list of past winners is all it takes to understand the scale of this event. Last year, Denmark, the reigning World team champions, won the Nations Cup on a day that also saw victory in the individual Grand Prix go to World champion and at the time, the World no.2, Great Britain’s Charlotte Fry (with Everdale). Last year the Danish chef d’équipe Anne-Mette Binder commented, ’’It’s really good to be back at Compiègne the stadium is superb and the atmosphere is excellent.’’
The greatest champion in the history of dressage, Germany’s Isabel Werth, added her name to the list of winners the previous year in the Grand Prix Libre, while Charlotte Fry took the Grand Prix Spécial with her World champion Glamourdale.
The very best of foreign riders, but the very best of French also. Having made huge strides in recent months, notably with very promising results at the last FEI European Championships in Riesenbeck, Germany (6th place in the team competition, four horses and riders competing in the Grand Prix Special and two in the Freestyle), the performances of the representatives from the home nation will be eagerly awaited. French dressage coach since 2022, Jean Morel will have the perfect opportunity to continue observing his troops as part of his selection process in the run-up to this summer.
’’We’re really impatient to see the entire dressage ‘’family’’ once again’’, confided Monique Marini, chairperson of the Compiègne Equestre Association, the event organisers. ’’We know that this year is very special, with the big rendezvous in Versailles. Numerous riders, as well as the judges who will have the honour of officiating this summer, will be present in Compiègne. For all, the internationaux de dressage is a one-of-a-kind meeting. They know that they are always well received and that the conditions are optimal, with the infrastructures and surfaces perfectly meeting the demands of top level sport. The improvements to the equestrian park undertaken in 2021 and 2022 have further enhanced the quality of this welcome. The public has also shown its loyalty. Here too, the improvements have made it possible to improve hospitality and provide a substantial catering offer all within a superb setting. Last year, the stands were packed and the atmosphere was exceptional. There’s no doubt that it will be the same this year, with of course a packed programme of sport, but also with the traditional equestrian display on Sunday bringing the event to a close.’’
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Alongside the CDIO5*, which is of course the highlight of the event, the other two arenas at the equestrian stadium will host a CDI3* and a CDI1*. The classes in these competitions will see up-and-coming riders competing alongside those established champions entered in the CDIO5*, but this time on the horses they wish to bring-on. The younger hopefuls in the discipline will also have their place on the start lists, in the CDI U25 (under 25s), CDIY (Young Riders), CDIJ (Juniors) and CDICh (Children). Finally, the youngest riders will be competing in the CDI Poneys.
And finally, because dressage is also a time for fun, the Compiègne’s Internationaux de Dressage will conclude with a big equestrian show on Sunday the 5th of May, starting at 3pm. The grand finale to a weekend full of promises.
Free entry and parking / Catering on-site