Once again, Barcelona will become the world capital of equestrian racing from this Thursday, September 28, until Sunday, October 1, with the celebration of the 111th International Show Jumping Competition. For the tenth consecutive year, the CSIO Barcelona hosts the grand final of the Nations Cup, the Longines FEI Jumping Nations Cup, the most important equestrian event on the international equestrian calendar.
And it does so in a Royal Polo Club renovated for the occasion, after investing 13 million euros in a new and modern grandstand. This space, designed by the Batlle i Roig studio, has a capacity of more than 800 people. The renovation includes a gym, two indoor pools and a convention hall. “After 90 years we have built a new stand, which is the most important effort in the history of the club. “It is one of the most modern stands in the world,” explained Curro Espídos, president of the Barcelona Polo Club.
Throughout the four days, some 20,000 people will pass through the club and its Olympic arena will host a total of ten competitions with the participation of the most prominent horsewomen and riders on the international equestrian scene. “We are going to have the best equestrian center in the world in Barcelona,” stressed Espídos, who is saying goodbye to the presidency after exhausting his second term. It is expected that elections will be called in the club in a few weeks.
During the presentation of the event, held this morning, Espídos announced that the entity he presides has renewed the agreement with the FEI to host the final of the Nations Cup for four more years, until 2027. “The club has taken a step forward and They have given us four more years to host the Nations Cup final. We are proud,” he explained.
In purely sporting terms, 18 countries will be represented - 15 will participate in the Nations Cup - and the last place to participate in the Paris Olympic Games is at stake. Italy, the United States, Mexico, Brazil, Uzbekistan and Argentina are competing for this position. Spain has already qualified since the last European Championship. In addition, seven of the ten best riders in the international ranking will be in Barcelona.
Throughout the weekend there will be seven individual events, including the City of Barcelona Trophy and the HM the Queen's Cup – Segura Viudas Trophy, while the remaining three are part of the Nations Cup Final: a first qualifying, the Longines Challenge Cup and the grand final on Sunday.
