Brash and the Whitakers join world’s elite at the CSI 5* Jumping Valence

Indeed, the French competition, which runs from August 23–26, is hosting 44 elite riders and 119 horses from 17 nations this year – all of whom have their sights set on victories in the different classes, including tonight’s €65,000 speed challenge and Sunday’s €300,000 Grand Prix.

Held at the Haras des Grillons stud in Ratières, the Jumping Valence has established itself as a fixture on the international circuit. And that status is confirmed by a look at the riders entered at the 5* level. Olympic, World and European champions are all part of the star-studded field – individuals like Canada’s Eric Lamaze, Great Britain’s Scott Brash (joined by compatriots John and Michael Whitaker), Germany’s Daniel Deusser, Ireland’s Cian O’Connor, Italy’s Lorenzo De Luca, Sweden’s Peder Fredricson, Belgium’s Pieter Devos, Switzerland’s Steve Guerdat, the Netherlands’ Harrie Smolders, the United States’ Kent Farrington and Australia’s Edwina Tops-Alexander. 

Overall, €900,000 is up for grabs in the 100 x 50 m competition arena at the show, including €600,000 at the CSI 5* level and €300,000 for the CSI 3* competitors. The start lists and results for all the classes can be found here. The schedule is also here. 

As for the Drôme department of France itself (part of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region), where this weekend’s event is unfolding, it is named after the Drôme River. The river flows from the foothills of the French Alps to the Rhône River – one of the major waterways in Europe – of which it is a tributary. The region is described as being in a “zone of transition between the oceanic climate of Lyon, the continental climate to the north and the Mediterranean climate of Provence to the south. In the Rhône valley, the meeting of the mild humid southern Mediterranean air masses with the colder northern air mass sometimes causes particularly violent thunderstorms and snowstorms.”

Nevertheless, the current forecast for the next few days is calling for relatively calm conditions, with a mix of sun and cloud and temperatures in the low-to-mid twenties. In other words, not an additional problem for the athletes facing the 1.60m obstacles in their path.