For the 4th consecutive year, the competition zone at the Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins in Vidauban, France, is preparing to host one of the most important equestrian meetings. From 27 February - 24 March 2013, the Var district will be rocked by musical dressage and clear rounds. The formula is simple: four weeks of high level competition in two Olympic disciplines.
The Spring Tour kicks off with the dressage (27 February - 10 March 2013). The tour includes a CDI3*, Young Horses, Under 25s, Young Riders, Juniors and Ponies. This event drew over 150 international riders (Carl Hester, Emile Faurie, Wolfram Wittig, Carlos Pinto, Fabienne Lutkemeier, Catherine Haddad, etc. ) with a record breaking participation in the Grand Prix with 90 entries last year! The 2013 edition is heading the same way with large delegations from Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Belgium. For the French riders, the first week is part of the FFE Dress’ Tour circuit which was created last year.
For the first time at Vidauban and in the south east of France, the first weekend will host para equestrian classes which will launch the new para-dressage circuit Handi Equi’ Compet. The participants will be judged by 4 and 5 star international judges, here for the CDI.
These two weeks of competition will be a dress rehearsal for the new FEI Nations Cup dressage circuit. Vidauban will be hosting, from 17 to 19 May. The only French stage of the circuit, alongside some of the largest showgrounds in the world (CDIO Rotterdam, CHIO Aix la Chapelle and CDIO Hickstead). A real opportunity for dressage to reap some media coverage!
Following on from the dressage, from 13 to 24 March is the Spring Tour Jumping, organized this year by Diane Fissore and her team (Media Plus, Monte Carlo Global Champions Tour). The tour includes a CSI1* and CSI2*, international classes for young horses, ponies and amateurs. The first weekend will be a stage of the FFE / Amateur Gold Tour and each week 4 classes in the CSI2* will count for the Rolex ranking list, with prize money of 190,800€.
Last year over 850 horses and 400 riders came to this event. The current world champion, Philippe Lejeune, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Daniel Deusser, the Schroder family (who haven’t missed a single Spring Tour!) Rodrigo Pessoa, Malin Bayard, Steve Guerdat and several members of the French team (Kevin Staut, Penelope Leprevost, Philippe Rozier, Michel Robert....) come to Vidauban each year to compete on these excellent installations.
More information about the Spring Tour is on our new website www.domaine-equestre.com