Paris, November 21st 2011- This year the Gucci Masters is inaugurating an all-new pony paddock, reserved exclusively for children.
Open to all and free of charge, this special area will give visitors the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the animals and gain an introduction to riding.
A favourite with young children, ponies are also known for their therapeutic qualities. The paddock will be playing host to a number of charities that work all year round in the interests of children in difficulty, including :
– Un maillot pour la vie (A Shirt For Life), which helps organize fun activities for children undergoing medical treatment,
– Et tout le monde chante contre le cancer (Singing Against Cancer), which support young cancer sufferers,
– Les Ptits Cracks (Little Cracks), which works to combat cancer and leukaemia,
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– Le Secours populaire (Popular Aid), which fights poverty and social exclusion in France.
– Les Restos du cœur, which provides help and assistance to the poor.
With the support of the Lys Equestrian Centre, directed by the top level rider Clémence Laborde, and which will provide the instructors and saddlery, the pony paddock will be a vibrant and essential part of the Prestige Village. And over the course of the three days, there will also be autograph signing sessions with the professional athletes and celebrities present, for the youngsters.
And the ponies are back in the big leagues at a unique horse race. In the starting boxes, ten children, aged 8 to 12 years, holding a 3 gallop, galloping neck and neck race in Shetland. The budding jockeys, dressed by Gucci kids, ten ponies go up, leased by the Association of Racing Cavaliers Fans of France (CAIFA), which also provide caps and gowns.
GUCCI
Founded in Florence in 1921, Gucci is one of the foremost luxury fashion brands. With an illustrious reputation for quality and Italian know-how, Gucci creates and distributes luxury products such as leather goods (handbags, small leather items and luggage), footwear, clothing, silk items, watches, clocks and luxury jewellery. They also make patented eye-glasses and perfumes, which are distributed by the world leaders in these two sectors. Gucci products are retailed exclusively through the house’s own network of boutiques (327 at end of March 2011) and a small number of department stores and selected specialist outlets.
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EEM – European Equestrian Masters
Founded by Christophe Ameeuw and Nelson Pessoa, a living legend of show jumping, EEM organizes three international CSI5* show jumping competitions, in Brussels, Paris and Hong Kong. The Brussels and Paris meetings, which have now become two of the biggest equestrian events on the indoor calendar, have both hosted the Final of the Rolex IJRC Top 10. EEM organizes the Brussels Masters in the last week of November, the Paris Masters in the first week of December, and the new Hong Kong Masters over the first weekend in March.
In Paris, Ameeuw and Pessoa will be supported by Virginie Couperie-Eiffel, official ambassadress of the Gucci Masters. The outstanding horsewoman from Bordeaux and French Champion in 2005, is a descendant of a family steeped in equestrian tradition, and will be a prominent presence for all riding enthusiasts.
The Paris Horse Show from December 3rd – 11th 2011 – www.salon-cheval.com
Founded in 1972, the Paris Horse Show or Salon du Cheval de Paris is an official event of the CENECA – the French National Centre for Agricultural Exhibitions and Competitions, which also owns the International Agriculture Show. Its president, Jean-Luc Poulain, is president of both these shows. For its 3rd edition at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition centre, the show’s status as an essential destination is confirmed, featuring top class events such as: The GUCCI MASTERS CSI 5*, the World Arabian Horse Championships, the International Vaulting Masters – World Cup stage, the PARIS’CUP Driving Competition, the French Indoor Championships and the Horse Night display.Over 120,000 visitors and 355 exhibitors come together around their shared passion, making the Paris Horse Show, held annually in December, France’s leading equestrian event.
