The world’s equestrian elite are gathering in Fontainebleau
From 16 to 26 April 2026, the Grand Parquet will be buzzing with the sound of hooves. Dressage, show jumping, para-dressage: two weeks of international competitions, open to all and free of charge.
There are events that cement Fontainebleau’s place in the global sporting calendar. The Printemps des Sports Équestres is one of them. Since 2022, this event has established itself as one of the highlights of the international equestrian season, and the 2026 edition marks a milestone with two consecutive weeks of competition at the highest level.
The setting? The Grand Parquet Equestrian Stadium, a former royal hunting ground that has become one of Europe’s most prestigious equestrian venues. Here, just a few minutes from the château and on the edge of the forest, the world’s finest riders gather every spring on trails that are the stuff of dreams for the equestrian community.
And the good news is that everything is free of charge. You can come in however you like, settle down at the edge of the slopes, and enjoy the show.
5th edition: a climb that shows no sign of stopping
Created in 2022 by GL events Equestrian Sport, the Printemps des Sports Équestres has grown rapidly. Very rapidly. By 2023, it was already hosting a 5* CDI event. In 2024, para-dressage made its debut. And in 2026, it reached its pinnacle: the French Equestrian Federation entrusts the Public Prosecutor’s Office with the organisation of the Dressage Nations Cup (CDIO 5*-NC), the Official French Dressage Magazine.
This is a first for Fontainebleau. And it sends out a strong message: the Grand Parquet is no longer merely the historic cradle of French equestrianism; it is once again becoming one of its global strongholds.
For this 5th edition, the format spans two weeks :
- Week 1 (16 - 19 April) Four days dedicated to dressage and para-dressage
- Week 2 (22 - 26 April) : five days of show jumping, with the return of the FFE Master Pro
Week 1: Dressage at the summit (16 - 19 April)
The first week is entirely devoted to the art of dressage, a discipline in which horse and rider form a duo that borders on dance. The highlight: the Nations Cup CDIO 5*-NC, the flagship discipline of international dressage, in which national teams of three to four rider-horse pairs compete against one another. The three best scores are used to determine the team ranking. Strategy, consistency, risk-taking: every performance can shake up the standings.
Labels scheduled for the dressage week:
- CDIO 5*-NC : Nations Cup, Officiel de France de Dressage
- CDI 3* / CDI 1* International Dressage Competition
- CDIYH / CDIU25 / CDIY / CDIJ / CDICH / CDIP categories: Young Horses, U25, Juniors, Children, Ponies
- CPEDI 3* and 2* Para-Dressage International (disabled riders)
In 2025, it will be the British woman Becky Moody who dominated the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Freestyle. The Frenchwoman Pauline Basquin, who made Versailles dance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, will certainly be there to win back the podium.
Le para-dressing, which has been part of the programme since 2024, reaffirms the event’s commitment to making horse riding accessible to all. Riders with disabilities have access to adapted facilities and a dedicated welcome service.
Week 2: Show jumping (22–26 April)
The second week takes a different turn. It’s time for show jumping, the adrenaline rush of bars falling (or not), tight time limits and spectacular jump-offs. And this year, there’s a new feature that’s causing a stir: the CSI 5* and Master Pro take place on the Main Pitch, the Grand Parquet's big grass track. A return to our roots that will delight purists.
The labels scheduled for jumping week:
- CSI 5* : the world’s highest level of show jumping
- CSI 2* / CSI 1* International Jumping Competition
- CSIYH 1* Young horses (7 and 8 years old)
- CSI Amateur Gold Tour FFE Vicomte A.
- CSIP Pony category (Elite Tour and AS Tour)
- FFE Master Pro Championships Pro Elite, Pro 2, Pro AS Young Riders, Criterium Pro 1
The titleholder of the GL events CSI 5* Grand Prix? The Brazilian Yuri Mansur, who will have to defend his crown against an exceptional field. On the French side, the team bronze medallists from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are expected: Olivier Perreau, Julien Epaillard and Simon Delestre.
The highlight on Sunday 26 April: the Grand Prix CSI 5*, with 308 600 €, with bars set at 1.60 m. That’s the highlight of the show.
The day-by-day programme (jumping week)
Three tracks run simultaneously from Wednesday to Sunday. Here are the highlights not to be missed:
Wednesday 22nd April : Start of the show jumping week. First CSI 5* classes (1.45 m followed by 1.50 m) on the Main Arena. Classes for 7- and 8-year-old young horses on the Carrière des Princes. Start of the CSI 2* and CSIP series on the Petit Parquet.
Thursday 23 April First round of the Master Pro Élite Championship (1.50 m). Continuation of the CSI 5* with a qualifying round at 1.55m. Start of the Master Pro 2 and CSI Amateur events.
Friday 24 April 8-year-old Young Horse finals. Second round + final of the Master Pro Élite (1.55 m, €61,000). CSI 5* in 1.55m. Start of the free shuttle service from the station to the town centre to the Grand Parquet.
Saturday 25 April : 7-year-old Young Horse Finals. CSI 1* Grand Prix (1.35 m). CSI 5* Grand Prix in the evening? No, it’s Sunday! However, it’s the day of the Fences Performers Auction In the evening: an auction of around fifteen sport horses (aged 4–8) and embryos.
Sunday 26 April The big day. Criterium Pro 1 Final, CSI Amateur Gold Tour Grand Prix, CSI 2* Grand Prix (1.45 m, €30,000), and above all the Grand Prix CSI 5* GL events (1.60 m, €308,600) at the close of afternoon trading.
Tests start at 8h each day. The end of the day depends on the programme: you should generally expect to arrive at 6pm-7pm, later on final days.
Three tracks, three moods
The Grand Parquet has three distinct competition areas:
- The Main Pitch : the historic grass arena, set in the heart of the countryside. This is where the CSI 5* events and the Master Pro Élite take place. New for 2026: show jumping returns to this legendary arena.
- La Carrière des Princes A track dedicated to Young Horses (CSIYH 7 and 8 years old) and certain CSI 1* events.
- Le Petit Parquet CSI 2*, CSI Amateur, Pony (CSIP), Master Pro 2 and Young Riders circuits.
All three courses are freely accessible, and you can move between them throughout the day. A word of advice: check the day’s programme at the entrance so you don’t miss the events you’re interested in.
The Discovery Village: for all the family
The Printemps des Sports Équestres isn’t just for connoisseurs. The Discovery Village offers a whole programme of activities open to everyone, and particularly to families:
- Pony rides : Organised by the École Militaire d’Équitation (EME), these sessions allow children to ride a pony on a ride through the countryside. Younger children can also stroke and brush them.
- Mini Grand Prix : an obstacle course to complete… on hobby horses! Parents and children take part in pairs, dressed up. Laughs guaranteed.
- Treasure hunt : organised by the Fontainebleau Cheval Association. Clues are scattered throughout the site to help find the «Coffre du Grand Parquet». There are several levels depending on the children’s ages, and the activity takes place every day.
- Drawing workshop A souvenir of the day.
- Demonstrations by the Republican Guard and the EME : between events, performances celebrating traditional French horsemanship.
The Place des Exposants
More than 50 exhibitors are gathered at the Place des Exposants, at the heart of the venue. Renowned saddle makers (Hermès, CWD, Devoucoux, Bruno Delgrange, Butet, Forestier…), equipment suppliers, equestrian fashion designers, animal nutrition specialists, manufacturers of stables and flooring… It is the event of choice for both the professional equestrian world and enthusiasts.
When it comes to restaurants, there's plenty to eat on site: the General public (book online), as well as food trucks and stands (smash burgers, tex-mex, crêpes, aperitif boards, Savoy cheeses and charcuterie, etc.).
Fences Performers Auction: the Saturday evening auction
Le Saturday evening 25 April, the 4th edition of the Fences Performers Auction takes place at the Grand Parquet. Around fifteen sport horses aged between 4 and 8 and around ten embryos will be put up for auction. Following three successful editions, this event within the event attracts breeders, investors and enthusiasts on the lookout for future champions.
Follow the races live
Can't make it? All the races are broadcast live on the official website. Three video streams are available, one for each track:
- Main Arena (CSI 5*, Master Pro Elite)
- Carrière des Princes (Young horses, CSI 1*)
- Petit Parquet (CSI 2*, CSIP, Amateur, Master Pro 2)
Real-time results are available on World Sport Timing.
Official website: leprintempsdesssequestres.com/en/live-stream
Practical info
Dates : 16–19 April 2026 (dressage) and 22–26 April 2026 (show jumping)
Timetable : opens at 8.00 am (first rider takes to the arena), closes at the end of the events
Rate free admission
Address : Stade Équestre du Grand Parquet, RN 152 Route d’Orléans, 77300 Fontainebleau (next to the Fontainebleau Golf Club)
GPS : 48°23’27.25″N / 2°40’32.47″E
Car park free, bicycle parking available
Accessibility ground-level site with disabled access
Catering On-site (restaurant for the general public + food trucks)
Contact : [email protected]
Official website : leprintempsdessportsequestres.com
Coming by car
A6 towards Lyon, Fontainebleau exit. Follow the RD 152 (Route d’Orléans). Free on-site car park.
Coming by train
Line R (TER) from Paris Gare de Lyon (Hall 1), direction Montargis/Montereau. Stop at Fontainebleau-Avon. The journey takes around 40 minutes. Île-de-France ticket: €2.55. Le Navigo pass is valid.
From Orly Metro line 14 runs directly to Paris Gare de Lyon, then line R (one change only).
Free shuttles
From free shuttles run every Friday, Saturday and Sunday on the route SNCF station → City centre (place Charles de Gaulle) → Grand Parquet, and back.
During the week of jumping (Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 April), the outward shuttles run from 10.10am to 5.45pm from the station, and the return shuttles from 11.45am to 7.15pm from the Grand Parquet. Frequency: approximately every 30 minutes.
Detailed shuttle timetables can be downloaded from the official website.
Our advice on how to make the most of it
- View the day's programme Before you come: it is updated daily on the official website (under «Today’s Programme»). Timings may change depending on how the events are progressing.
- Favour Sundays If you’re only coming once: this is the day of the Grand Prix and the finals, when the atmosphere is at its most intense.
- Come early to enjoy the morning tranquillity by the warm-up slopes, and stay on for the big events in the afternoon.
- With children, pop into the Discovery Village as soon as you arrive to check the timetables for the pony rides and the treasure hunt.
- Bring good shoes : the site is set in the heart of the countryside; you walk on grass and along forest paths.
- Transport, make the most of the free shuttle buses at the weekend rather than trying to find a parking space on busy days.
Why we love Printemps des Sports Equestres
Because it takes place in our forest. Because the Grand Parquet is one of the most beautiful spots in Fontainebleau, and watching Olympic-level riders perform there against a backdrop of pine trees and sandstone never gets old. Because it’s free, open to all and family-friendly. Because it’s the sort of event that reminds us why Fontainebleau has been the «Horse Capital» for centuries.
And because a Sunday in April at the Grand Parquet, between a Grand Prix and a crêpe in the sunshine, is quite simply a lovely time.