Equnews: Could you tell us more about what's your function in the organization?
"I am the founder and the President of Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping. I'm organizing this event for three years now. The idea is to bring the sport and the horses in the city of Paris, on the Champ de Mars facing the Eiffel Tower. This competition actually is al little wink to my father and his family who always have been passionate about horses and to my mom, because she's a descendant of Gustave Eiffel. This family history gave me the energy to create this contest on the Champ de Mars, which was not easy to achieve. Through an agreement of Marie de Paris (which is also our partner), we were able create to an event with the best riders in the world, with a very nice atmosphere".
Equnews: Because of Euro 2016, you had to look for another location for the show. Why did you chose 'Bagatelle playground', in the forest of Boulogne?
"There was a large area reserved for Euro 2016 on the Champ the Mars, which ment we would only have a smalle space left for our contest. For safety- en comfort-reasons, we decided to organize the show some place else. It wouldn't have been comfortable for the spectators, the riders or the horses. The Bagatelle playground was therefore more appropriate to organize an event like this. The new show will be organized straight in the forest and will show the French values as well. I'm sure the new location will be able to promote our event all over the world. However, this location will only be used this year. Next year the show will go back to where it belongs: the Champs de Mars. We won't be changing the name of the show this year either, although the show won't take place in front of the Eiffel Tower.
Equnews: Do you have something new to offer to the public for this new edition?
V.C: "We have a lot of new things to offer. First, we want to launch a concept on Sunday named the "Eiffel Sunday". The main goal of this concept is that people can walk around in some kind of 'festival atmosphere'. It will be a festival that combines sport, art and innovation. There will a lot of animation in the equestrian village as well, we really want everyone to be entertained from the beginning (about 9 am) till the end of the day (23 pm approximately). There will be something to eat, big screens to make sure everyone is able to follow the show and we will have a children's area. We decided to start selling the tickets 100 days before the start of Rio, as the Longines Paris Eiffel jumping will be the last competition for the French team before the Olympic deadline. The idea is to encourage the public to come to this competition and to cheer for the French team. Besides that, we also want to give the showjumping elite the change to prepare itself for the Olympics.
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Plan of the stands[/caption]Finally, the stands will also be enlarged (about two times larger than before) to accommodate a greater number of spectators. They will each carry the name of a horse the French team: Flora (Mariposa), Ryan (the Hayettes) Dreamer (Hurtebise * HDC) and East (Express * HDC). Some stand will be free, other ones you'll have to pay for (premium/ prestige), that's new as well. This means the spectators who come from far will have the insurance to get seats in the stands. In this way, we hope to attract a large public. This new formula also enables social diversity, the most wealthy people will be sitting next to less wealthy people. Listening is very important while riding, and I think it is important that we start listening to each other more, in this world, fractured as it is today.The idea is to create dialogue, even if the speakers come from different backgrounds to share a common passion or just something. The love for the sport and the horses will united people".
Equnews: What's your secret to organize an event like this?
V.C.: "I think the key is organization. We first have a united and passionate team. We also need loyal partners to be able to organize this show. So we rely on very important players. First, there is the City of Paris. Without the city authorization wouldn't have been possible. Longines is also a vital and loyal partner without which this event would not be possible. Finally, there is a large number of partners including the media. They really help to democratize our sport. The assistance is also very important, this is why we work with volunteers who are as passionate like us. We also work with different artists each year for example to create the poster for our event. This year we have a newcomer in the organization as well: Eric Barbaroux. He participated in the realization of the event in Formula E Electric Disable and therefore brings a totally new eye on the sport with new ways of filming, new technologies, new approaches. So with this new look that I hope to bring some innovation".
Equnews: You have been French Champion in the past. Do you ride in your own competition as well? Is there one horse in particular you like on the circuit?
V.C "I am a breeder in the southwest near Bordeaux (breeding Bacon, ed.). I also like to educate horses and riders, which allows me to ride relatively often. Now I really do not see how I could have time to ride at my own competition but it would be very funny indeed (laughs, ed). Maybe we have to create a special class for organization committees of shows, Sylvie Robert (organizer of Hermes jump and Equita'Lyon, ed) can compete as well then. Finally, if there is a horse that I particularly, those of Ryan Hermes Hayettes. It is a small Anglo-Arab, he's intelligent and exceptional, a bit like our deceased champion Jappeloup"
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Copyright photo : Gilles Bensimon[/caption]