The time has come for the co-organisers of the Jumping International de la Province de Namur to take stock. After five years in Courrière, this first edition in Gesves delivered on its promise: the public turned up and the show found a new playground. Now it is a matter of correcting a few details and deciding just how far the event wants to grow. While the triumvirate at the head of the JIPN is in perfect agreement on the overall direction, the visions differ slightly on this point. Ugo Berrittella and Vincent Braeken could see themselves adding another star. Grégory Wathelet, for his part, prefers first to consolidate the current format and develop all the categories that make up the identity of the show. Without definitively closing the door.
For Grégory Wathelet, this first edition in Gesves confirmed the essential point: the show changed scenery, but it did not lose its public.
« The assessment is excellent. A total success… even if we are not going to say totally total, because there are always things that can be improved. We have identified a few, quite simple to correct, and we will meet to put them in place. »
Gesves passes its first major test
The change of venue was inevitably the main question mark. Courrière had its history, its habits, its soul. Gesves still had to prove itself. In just a few days, the site showed it had broad shoulders. And above all, that it could also take on another identity.
« The place lends itself to it. It was dressed up in a way that surprised a lot of people. Many people congratulated us and thanked us for bringing this event back somewhere else, with the same concept. »
The rider-organiser mainly insists on the response from the public. Despite the heat, despite the football, despite the habits that had to be moved a few kilometres down the road, spectators filled the areas around the arena.
« The public followed us. That was very important for us. There were a lot of people on Saturday evening and, on Sunday afternoon, it was packed. It is difficult to quantify because the place is big, but it means that people are buying into it, that they want to come, to come back, and that the event continues to exist. So we continue. »
Not everything was perfect. And no one in the team is trying to claim otherwise. The second arena and the warm-up paddock are among the points already identified.
« “From next year, the second arena will be completely open and the paddock, which was eating into it, will be moved. This year, it was not possible, and we knew that. It will be corrected. The main arena is superb, big and spacious. There are still two or three small things to work on, but the foundation is there. »
A third star? Not at any price
Then comes the eternal question: after a successful first edition, should the show already think bigger? Add another star, attract more big names and turn the Namur event into a semi-giant on the calendar?
Grégory Wathelet is not closing any doors. But he does not want to sacrifice the identity of the show on the altar of one-upmanship either.
« I do not particularly want more stars. That does not mean it will never happen, but my idea is really to keep this format and improve it »
The project notably involves the young horses. A bigger place, better-built finals, better prize money and a stronger identity among breeders and professionals.
« We really want to develop the finals for the six-, seven- and eight-year-olds. To make them real international finals, with ambition, a better-calibrated format and better prize money. That is where I want to develop the show. »
Moving upmarket would also have an immediate consequence: reducing access for certain riders and certain families.
« When you increase the number of stars, space is not unlimited. That means depriving people at a lower level of the opportunity to come. I want it to remain open, regional and family-friendly with the CSI1*, while being more professional with the CSI 2*.. »
In other words: grow, yes. Lose itself, no.
The Jumping de Courrière has moved to Gesves. Its foundation has not moved an inch.
