Axel Dumas
Chief Executive Officer of HermèsThe fascinating beauty of a delicate balance
What a pleasure, to walk joyfully up the steps of the Grand Palais and rediscover it in all its former splendour! After so many years of marvelling at the Saut Hermès, seeing the competition return to its original venue is a real pleasure.
As we, the spectators, take our seats in those familiar stands and let silence prevail over the showjumping ring, the riders and horses, with their supreme training and determination, prepare to take on the challenge of tackling these ephemeral mountains at a blistering pace. They have one aim: avoiding the clatter of hooves on wooden bars.
The best riders in the world spend all year training, tirelessly repeating their movements and refining every detail so they can perform at each competition with remarkable aplomb. However, there is uncertainty and danger along this path! A microcosm of life itself, the course is beset with the unexpected, obliging one to manage their emotions and maintain perfect concentration. The ring will punish the tiniest errors, but in the end, those who approach perfection are always rewarded.
Victory, as we know, often comes down to the finest details. But each time, we are astonished and awestruck when these minuscule details become something, and when it is that something which makes all the difference.
Didier Fusillier
President of the GrandPalaisRmnThe Saut Hermès returns to its original home
For the fifteenth edition of the Saut Hermès, we will celebrate the highly anticipated return of this exemplary equestrian competition to the Grand Palais, now resplendent after four years of intense renovation. A restored nave, bathed in natural light, will see riders and their mounts testing their skills in a showjumping course created for the event. Could there be a more appropriate setting for this contest where elegance meets excellence?
We are so excited to see the Saut Hermès back in its original home, since it also reminds us of the great significance of the horse in the building’s history and identity. This can be seen in its architecture, from the carousel to the paddock, all designed with equestrian sports in mind, not to mention the spectacular chariots adorning the rotunda on Avenue Winston-Churchill – numerous decorative elements remind us that the Grand Palais was built at a time when the horse was king. In 1901, the year following its construction, the building became the host venue for the Hippique – a major event honouring the horse for both its utilitarian role and its cultural importance.
By providing a way for both newcomers and passionate enthusiasts to join together in celebration of equestrian sports, the Saut Hermès offers the perfect bridge between the heritage of the Grand Palais and its current mission – to create a dialogue between perspectives and disciplines via a celebratory, extensive and inclusive programme.
I wish the Saut Hermès every success for this latest edition and its homecoming to the Grand Palais!
Olivier Ginon
Chairman of GL events2025 marks the return of the Saut Hermès to the Grand Palais, resplendent following its renovation. After 2024, a year when scenes of equestrian excellence dazzled the world, top-level sporting prowess and a passion for horses will once again take the spotlight, bringing great excitement to a French capital still catching its breath from the victorious displays within the sumptuous grounds of Versailles.
GL events group and GL events Equestrian Sport are excited to be renewing their commitment with Hermès, putting all their passion and expertise into supporting the house for this fifteenth edition of the Saut Hermès. Together, we will again play host to a top-level international competition taking place over three days, during which athleticism and horses will take centre stage to captivate participants and visitors alike.
Everything is in place in the heart of Paris, bringing enthusiasts and professionals together in an exceptional setting to celebrate in unison.
I wish all of you a fantastic 2025 edition!
