The Grand Complet, scheduled for August 13-16, 2020 at the iconic site of the Haras National du Pin in Orne, Normandy, offers a sports program identical to previous years. Five international classes will punctuate the four days of competition. The Grand Complet will also serve as a support for the Grand National FFE circuit for French riders. On the organizational side, Ustica, the organizing association, has chosen to open access to visitors at a rate of 1,000 per day. Finally, solidarity will be even more at the heart of the event’s concerns with support from the local branch of the French food bank Restos du Cœur.
The only international eventing competition in Normandy will welcome several hundred participants in the five scheduled classes: CCI2*-S, CCI2*-L, CCI3*-S, CCI3*-L and CCIO4*-S. From short 2-star (2*-S) to short 4-star (4*-S) level, Le Grand Complet presents a wide range of difficulties for riders, amateurs or professionals. The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) has also entrusted Ustica for the 4th consecutive time with the organization of a FEI Nations Cup stage (CCIO4*-S), an event at the end of which two rankings will be established, one individual, the other by teams. France is the title holder with three wins in a row!
New for 2020: the CCIO4*-S event supports the Grand National FFE circuit. This means that a separate ranking will be established at the end of this class, taking into account exclusively French riders involved on this circuit.
The event also goes back to a more compact format, Thursday thru Sunday (instead of Thursday thru Tuesday), which allows spectators to attend cross-country as well as show jumping events Saturday and Sunday.
As every year, Le Grand Complet will also support the FFE Top 7 circuit reserved for 7-year-old horses and the Eventing Tour, a circuit that brings together the most important French eventing competitions.
“Ustica is keen to maintain Le Grand Complet in order to allow professionals in the equine sector to enhance their horses and meet the needs of breeders and owners,” explains Valérie Moulin, president of the association.
The Grand Complet will thus welcome up to 1,000 people per day maximum (Thursday to Sunday) according to current health standards. Visitors will be required to wear a mask (especially in high-traffic areas such as water complexes during cross-country tests) and respect the protective measures. As such, hydro alcoholic gel will be available at various places on site.
The Grand Complet has also decided to strengthen its involvement with charities. “We have been doing this every year since the creation of the event,” Valérie Moulin says. “This year, given the unprecedented period we are all going through, we wanted to take a step forward in terms of solidarity.”
Thus, Le Grand Complet will support the Norman branch of the French food bank Restos du Coeur, working with the most needy, especially during this summer. The single entry fee will be 8 euros on Saturday and Sunday, the two days of cross-country (free admission on Thursday and Friday), out of which 2 euros will be donated to the Restos du Coeur. Ustica will also offer the association the opportunity to raise awareness of its cause.
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