Since 1960, the Jumping International de La Baule has attracted the most accomplished show jumping champions to the François André Stadium. Famed for its beautiful bay featuring one of Europe’s longest beaches, the fashionable resort town on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean in north-west France has always had close links to horses, with military officers participating in long-distance rides between Paris and La Baule early last century. Among the highlights of the four-day programme are the CSIO5* Nations Cup, a team event in which riders represent their country; The Derby Région des Pays de La Loire, a unique show, one of the last of its kind in Europe, with natural obstacles and a course that is far from the traditional show jumping standards; and the Rolex Grand Prix – Ville de la Baule, the grand finale, which serves as a qualifying event for European and world championships.