Just a few days before the FEI World Championships in Aachen (17–23 August), the Jumping International de Dinard will stand out as one of the key fixtures of the international season. From 30 July to 2 August, the world's leading horse-and-rider combinations will gather on the legendary grass arena of Val Porée to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the year's major championship, treating the Breton public to four days of world-class sport.

The 2026 edition promises to write another memorable chapter in the event's history. More than ever, Dinard will hold a prominent place on the international calendar. Taking place just a few days before the FEI World Championships in Aachen, the Breton event the fifth leg of the Rolex Series will provide many of the world's leading horse-and-rider combinations with their final major outing before heading to Germany. While this timing is not unusual for the Jumping International de Dinard, it will once again give the four days of competition a unique significance.

Although victory will remain every rider's objective, the stakes will extend far beyond the results. Competitors will be looking to confirm their horses' form, fine-tune the final details of their preparation and build confidence ahead of the season's biggest championship. In the grandstands and around the arena, national team managers will be watching their selected combinations closely. While the official team selections will already have been announced, the strategies for Aachen will still be taking shape.

This sporting dimension finds its perfect setting at Val Porée. Renowned for generations, Dinard's iconic grass arena is considered one of the most beautiful and demanding venues on the international circuit. Its undulating terrain, exceptional footing and technical challenges make it a true test of horse-and-rider combinations. That level of excellence will be evident throughout the four days of competition. The CSI5* classes will set the tone from Thursday, followed on Friday by the 1.55m Mars & Co Prize and the Dinard Émeraude Équitation Prize, preparation for the Rolex Grand Prix of the City of Dinard. On Saturday, the SAUR Derby (CSI3*) will once again deliver a unique spectacle with its distinctive course combining traditional show jumps and natural obstacles. The highlight of the week will come on Sunday afternoon with the Rolex Grand Prix of the City of Dinard, where the world's leading combinations will compete over a 1.60m course in the unrivalled atmosphere that only Val Porée can offer. In 2025, victory went to the United States, with Aaron Vale and Carissimo 25 claiming the prestigious title. 

JEAN-FRANÇOIS MORAND, THE ARCHITECT BEHIND THE SPORTING CHALLENGE

As the course designer for the Jumping International de Dinard since 2013, French course designer Jean-François Morand will once again play a pivotal role in the 2026 edition. On the demanding grass arena of Val Porée, where every detail matters, he will be tasked with creating courses that are both technically challenging and fair to the horses. An even more demanding mission given this year's sporting context.

"Since I became course designer at the Jumping International de Dinard, this is not the first time the event has been one of the final CSI5* competitions before a major championship," explains Jean-François Morand. "It's something we've become accustomed to, so it doesn't create any particular pressure for me. From a technical standpoint, the arena itself already provides a significant challenge. However, I will pay special attention to the way the courses are built, particularly in terms of the obstacle design. For example, Aachen is well known for its water-tray double combination, so I may consider including theVal Porée version in the Rolex Grand Prix. As every year, the world's best riders and horses will be here, so the level of competition will already be at its highest. The magic of sport will do the rest."

Alongside the CSI5* competitions, the Jumping International de Dinard will also host CSI3*, CSI1* and CSIYH classes for seven-year-old horses, bringing the programme to a total of 24 competitions spread across four days of world-class sport.

HIGHLIGHTS

Saturday 1st August

• Derby SAUR at 1,45m
• Grand Prix du CSI YH at 1,40m

Sunday 2nd August

• Grand Prix du CSI3* at 1,50m
• Rolex Grand Prix de la ville de Dinard CSI5* at 1,60m