Horse GP : the legendary riders pass the torch
From The Jumping De Paris at Bercy to the Horse Gp at Accor Arena: Legendary Riders Pass the Torch
“I finished second that day. But Bercy remains the most emotional moment of my career.” Hervé Godignon
THE LEGENDS OF BERCY REUNITE AROUND THE TABLE
To bring this new concept to life, Christophe Ameeuw has chosen a venue steeped in history. Long before it became the Accor Arena, the Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy played host to some of the most memorable moments in international show jumping. It is here that Horse GP has chosen to make its debut.
Just weeks before the event, Philippe Rozier, Thierry Rozier, Hervé Godignon and Christophe Ameeuw came together to share their memories and expectations for December 2. Joining them were Louis Rossi, bringing a fresh perspective to the sport, and Nicolas Canteloup as host. Filled with anecdotes, emotion and nostalgia, their conversations revealed the deep connection these show jumping legends share with a venue that has played such a significant role in their careers.
“I’ve never experienced the same level of emotion at any other indoor venue as I have at Bercy,” recalls Philippe Rozier, team Olympic champion at Rio 2016. “I was just over 20 when I first competed at Bercy, and a year later, in 1987, I finished second in the World Cup Final. I remember there was a huge curtain separating the warm-up arena from the competition ring, and when it opened, you were suddenly faced with 15,000 spectators going wild. In France, when you ride in front of your home crowd, you hear them at every fence. They lift you up, and the horses feel it too. At the Accor Arena, the venue’s unique layout makes that feeling even more intense. It’s incredible. I trust Christophe to turn it into a truly spectacular show.”
“Bercy was the era of Jappeloup and Milton,” adds his brother, Thierry Rozier. “I have incredible memories of those days. They were absolute superstars, filling the stands just like major music artists. I can still hear the announcer asking the crowd to quiet down because the noise was so overwhelming it could unsettle the horses before they entered the ring. With Horse GP, we have all the ingredients to bring that magic back.”
