{"piano":{"sandbox":"false","aid":"u28R38WdMo","rid":"R7EKS5F","offerId":"OF3HQTHR122A","offerTemplateId":"OTQ347EHGCHM"}}

Are these the most glamorous equestrian venues in the world? PICTURES


  • We may be more accustomed to muddy gateways and burger vans, but there’s a whole other world out there of crystal chandeliers, fur and snow-capped mountains

    Manfred Swarovski Memorial Show

    Where? Schindlhof, Fritzens, Austria
    What? Dressage shows don’t happen in more stunning locations than this, at the Haim-Swarovski family’s stud in the Austrian Tyrol, 3,000 feet above sea level.
    Visit: www.schindlhof

    Breeders’ Cup, Santa Anita

    Where? Los Angeles, California
    What? The Breeders’ Cup, which bills itself as the “world championships” of Flat racing, takes place each November (it’s at Keeneland in Kentucky this year). But it returns to Santa Anita in California in 2016, and it’s a trip every racing fan should make once — at least.
    Visit: www.breederscup.com

    Continued below…

    Saut Hermès

    Where? The Grand Palais, Paris
    What? Three days of top-level showjumping in the centre of Paris. This is the French
    luxury brand Hermès’ own show, demonstrating its equestrian heritage. As you would expect, the only shopping is Hermès, but if you can’t afford a scarf, or one of their signature wrist cuffs, you can buy a bar of Hermès saddle soap…
    Visit: www.sauthermes.com

    Snow Polo World Cup

    Where? St Moritz, Switzerland
    What? Three days of polo on St Moritz’s frozen lake. It’s exceptionally beautiful and — before the sun comes up over the mountains — seriously cold, which explains why fur is de rigeur.
    Visit: www.snowpolo-stmoritz.com

    Deauville

    Where? Deauville, Normandy
    What? Although there’s racing at Deauville for most of the year, August is the time to go. There’s a month-long programme of racing, thoroughbred sales and high-goal polo in this extremely chic yet relaxed seaside town. The highlights are the Prix Jacques Le Marois on 16 August — a Group One over a mile that attracts the best European horses, while there are two Group Ones on 23 August and the Grand Prix de Deauville on 30 August. The yearling sale (15-17 August) is the first of the season, and these beautifully-bred creatures fetch fortunes.
    Visit: www.meetingdedeauville.com

    GCT Miami

    Where? Miami Beach, Florida
    What? The Longines Global Champions Tour consists of 14 showjumping events all over the world in glamorous locations including Antwerp, Cannes and Doha. Miami Beach was added to the roster this year and was a huge hit.
    Visit: www.globalchampionstour.com

    Read the full feature about swanky equestrian venues in this week’s issue of Horse & Hound magazine (16 July 2015)

    Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout major shows like London International and more with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now

    You may like...