From the Olympics to Warsaw Jumping

Have you ever wondered who decides where to situate the obstacles on the course during a show jumping competition? This extremely responsible task is the duty of the course designer. During Warsaw Jumping, which will take place at Służewiec Racecourse from 5 to 8 September, it will be Grégory Bodo, who also designed courses for the riders at the recently ended Olympic Games in Paris.

– I am extremely honored and proud to have had the opportunity to build the different courses for the Olympic Games – says Grégory Bodo, who realised the task together with Santiago Varela. The parcours were built in the magnificent facilities of the Château de Versailles. – The Olympic Games are always unforgettable moments, but Paris 2024 was also different. Effectively evolving in an environment and atmosphere like Versailles was very impressive – he emphasises. 

The main idea behind the parkour at the Games was that it should, on the one hand, depend on maximum skill and concentration from the competitors, but on the other hand, be safe for the horses. The obstacles, which drew on French history, architecture and culture, also made a huge impression on millions of fans from all over the world. – I think it was a beautiful depiction of Paris for the whole world. The obstacles must make us travel and dream through their stories – he adds. 

Warsaw Jumping is coming

Soon, at Warsaw’s Służewiec Racecourse, all lovers of horses and horsemanship will be able to observe the efforts of leading European riders on the parcours set up by Grégory Bodo. Warsaw Jumping, the most awaited equestrian event in Poland, will begin on Thursday, 5 September and end on Sunday, 8 September. The event will highlight with the grand finale of the European Nations Cup Longines EEF Series. Grégory Bodo will be designing the course at this prestigious event for the second time in a row. – Last year was my first time in Poland. I really appreciate this competition, especially the final. It is a high-class competition – says the course designer. 

One-of-a-kind event in Poland

Warsaw Jumping is not only about sports rivalry at the highest level, magnificent horses and world-class competitors. The four-day competition on the parcours will be ideally complemented by horse racing, for which Służewiec Racecourse is famous. Fans of Warsaw Jumping on both Saturday and Sunday will be able to enter the venue for free and admire the races on the green track. On Saturday, a unique showjumpers race will also be held, in which competitors who normally compete in show jumping will get on race horses and try their skills on the green track. Warsaw Jumping will also include the final of the Hobby Horse League organised by Tor Służewiec.