The countdown to one of the most eagerly awaited sporting events of the year has begun. From 7 to 10 May, Italy will host the second edition of the Longines Versilia Horse Show presented by Giorgio Armani. This international show jumping competition will take place just a stone’s throw from the sea in Lido di Camaiore.
Organised by Italian Champions Tour in partnership with the Italian Equestrian Sports Federation, Veronafiere and Sport e Salute, the event is supported by the Minister for Sport and held under the patronage of the Province of Lucca and the Municipality of Camaiore. In December, the latter signed a multi-year agreement with the organising committee, ensuring that the LVHSGA will continue to be one of Camaiore’s and Versilia’s flagship events for years to come.
From this year onwards, the Longines Versilia Horse Show presented by Giorgio Armani will boast one more star. Following its success last season, when it immediately captured widespread attention thanks to its ability to combine sport, international guests, a glamorous atmosphere, and the unrivalled scenic backdrop of Versilia, this equestrian competition has taken a significant leap in quality by becoming a five-star event – the highest possible rating.
The upgrade to CSI5* is of great significance for the LVHSGA, as it rightfully joins the elite of the global show jumping world. This upgrade also confirms the growth of an event that has distinguished itself with its high technical and sporting standards, as well as its ability to blend sport, lifestyle and unique settings with the finest local and ‘Made in Italy’ products.
This is thanks to the support of institutions, as well as two highly appealing title sponsors: Longines and Giorgio Armani. Together with other prestigious brands, they continue to support the organising committee in their vision, planning and bringing to life an event that is top-class in every respect.
With the addition of Radio Monte Carlo as the official radio partner this year, the Longines Versilia Horse Show presented by Giorgio Armani is much more than a show jumping competition. It is a global stage where the world’s best horse-and-rider pairs compete at the highest level. The setting celebrates the athletic prowess of the riders and, above all, the horse as the ultimate expression of power and harmony.
THE BIG NAMES IN ACTION
On the sporting front, with the CSI now a 5-star event, the participation of many of the world’s top riders has been confirmed. In Versilia, riders will have the opportunity to qualify for the upcoming World Championships, which are scheduled to take place in Aachen, Germany, in August.
The courses in the Giorgio Armani Arena will once again be designed by Uliano Vezzani, ‘The Maestro’, one of the most highly regarded course designers on the international circuit.
The CSI5* programme features eight categories across the four days of competition, five of which awarding points for the Longines Ranking, with a total prize purse of €500,000. €309,000 of this will be up for grabs in the eagerly awaited Giorgio Armani Grand Prix presented by Longines, featuring 1.60-metre jumps — the maximum permitted height — on Sunday 10 May.
Meanwhile, the CSI2* features nine classes, running alongside the competitions reserved for the big names in show jumping. These will also feature a Grand Prix on Saturday 9 May.
FOUR DAYS OF SPORT WITH THE ITALIAN CHAMPIONS TOUR AND THE MASAF TALENT MASTER
The sporting programme at the Longines Versilia Horse Show, presented by Giorgio Armani, will feature more than just the CSI5* and CSI2* international competitions.
This year will also showcase the second leg of the Italian Champions Tour, the most significant national showjumping team circuit, combining elite equestrian sport with business and regional promotion. Designed to promote equestrian sports in Italy and offer spectacle and visibility to riders and sponsors, the ICT consists of five legs guested by some of the finest domestic and international events in Italy, including Arezzo, Lido di Camaiore, Rome’s Piazza di Siena, Ascoli Piceno, and the final at Fieracavalli Verona. Thirty teams will compete in the SPORT and PRO circuits, representing prestigious brands.
Among the new features of this edition of the LVHSGA, the Italian Riding Horse Master Talent stands out as a new and important show jumping circuit reserved for young Italian horses aged 7, which was introduced this year by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry (MASAF) to select the best horses and showcase the excellence of national breeding. Following the opening event in Arezzo, the Lido di Camaiore leg is the second in the Master Talent series. This will then continue in October at Rome’s Circo Massimo during the Longines Global Champions Tour and will end with the final in Verona in November during Fieracavalli.
HIGH STANDARDS
This sporting event is designed to respect the host environment as much as possible. As it did last year, it will take place within the BussolaDomani park in Lido di Camaiore. For four days, the park will once again be transformed into an equestrian village, offering a unique view between the sea and the mountains of Versilia.
The competition arena will be made of special silica sand in accordance with the high international standards required for an event of this calibre. The stables have also been thoughtfully designed to ensure the comfort of the equine athletes.
Hospitality areas, including the lounge and public spaces, will be set up to further improve on last year’s high standard, allowing guests and spectators to enjoy the competitions to the fullest.
HORSES AND MORE IN FOUR DAYS OF FUN FOR EVERYBODY
The Longines Versilia Horse Show, presented by Giorgio Armani is not just a sporting event. Thanks to the facilities at Parco BussolaDomani and the close collaboration between the organising committee and Camaiore Town Council, there will be a free educational area for children, young people and families focusing on equestrian culture, respect for nature and inclusion.
A wide range of activities are currently being finalised for the four days of the event, all of which will be accessible and free of charge.