From 1901 to 1957, the Grand Palais was a regular outing for Parisian high society with show jumping competitions that became immensely popular. In fact, it was to stage this type of event that the Nave was originally designed, with no supporting pillars to obstruct the view or the horses! Carriage driving, speed, show jumping and other equestrian events were guaranteed to draw sell-out crowds to the grandstands erected around the arena.
After a 53-year break, equestrian competitions were back in the Nave. Saut Hermès, an event organised by the world-famous harness-maker turned fashion house was staged from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 April 2010.
During the week before the show the Grand Palais morphed into a glass-roofed race course-cum-arena, with 4,000-seater grandstand, 1,200 tons of polytrack (a sand and fibre mixture) and decor signed by Hilton McConnico, featuring wooden horses in the mignonette green livery of the Grand Palais. Workshops devoted to saddle-making and silk, along with photographic exhibitions, gave the public insights into what life is at like at Hermès' luxurious downtown headquarters on nearby rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré.
Thirty of the world's top riders competed for the new 5-star Hermès prize. On Sunday April 4, of the riders to emerge from the qualifying rounds, it was the German Marcus Ehning who picked up the Grand Prix Hermès, worth 200,000 €.
In addition to the competition, legendary horse trainer Bartabas gave two representations of a sumptuous show entitled "Charivari équestre" set to music by Philip Glass and featuring the Versailles Equestrian Arts Academy.
From April 15 to 17 2011, the Grand Palais again paid tribute to horses and horsemanship. Organised by Hermès, in partnership with GL events, this prestigious event revived a tradition of equestrian events that were so popular in the Grand Palais between 1901 and 1957.
For three days of outstanding competitions, the world’s top 35 riders challenged each other in 5 events including five-star show jump events, while 14 rising stars fought it out in three original competitions: the "Talents Hermès”.
In addition to the competition, the world of horses and horsemanship was celebrated with an equestrian spectacular created by Hilton McConnico, a demonstration of Hermès saddle-making, a pony display and a bookshop dedicated to riding.
Finally an equestrian spectacular created by Jean-François Pignon and the Kalena choir from Ukraine provided interludes between the competition events.
On the 16th, 17th and 18th of March, the sound of horses' hooves again resounded under the glass roof of the Grand Palais. Fanatics of the Grand Palais, horses-lovers, and those passionate about sport had the opportunity to meet here in the Nave and admired the best horses riders in the world participating in an international show jumping competition CSI5*.
