Kevin Staut Riding Kraque Boom

Honestly, I am girl that would rather buy her Warmblood a custom fit Hermes saddle than a Birkin bag.

Returning to it’s equestrian roots as a harness manufacturer, Hermès hosted a show-jumping competition at Paris’ Grand Palais on Saturday. “We are picking up an old tradition,” said Hermès artistic director Pierre-Alexis Dumas.

The Saut Hermès au Grand Palais was open to the public; the extravaganza celebrated equestrian culture.

Over the two-day period, there were a series of show-jumping competitions – graded CSI 5* by the Fédération française d’Équitation and the Fédération équestre internationale (FEI). A total of 55 horses were entered in the two-phase 1.45m international jumping competition featuring €20,000 in prize money.

Roger-Yves Bost riding Ideal De La Log

According to the Grand Palais, the first horse show was held in 1901. The competitions, held each spring, subsequently became annual highlights for the equestrian community, and professionals and amateurs alike came to admire harnessed teams, thoroughbreds, and riders’ skills.

The event drew all of the fashionable youth of Paris together and explains why the name “paddock” is still used for the vast area facing the Great Staircase.

Reigning Olympic champion Eric Lamaze, European champion Kevin Staut and world number-one ranked Pius Schwizer competed in the Saut Hermès competition, which ran through Sunday.

Staut and his partner Pénélope Leprevost (whom you may follow on Facebook) completed faultless rides, leading the French team to victory and the 100,000 euros ($135,000) in prize money.

“It is a nice show in a beautiful setting,”. said Lamaze. “The entire building is glass so all the natural light comes through, and you are in the middle of downtown Paris.”

After nightfall, riders from the Academy of Equestrian Arts led by famed horse trainer Bartabas staged a dazzling display that culminated with a pack of 30 horses, including 12 of the cream-colored Lusitanians favoured by King Louis XIV, galloping full-throttle beneath the blinking glass-and-steel structure.

Charlotte  Casiraghi, french royalty and grand daughter to Grace Kelly, was a spectator during the show. Casiraghi competed in the Gucci Masters equestrian competition with Kevin Staut the year prior.

To watch the course videos and for more in-depth coverage of the rides, visit WAN Event‘s site, the did an amazing job covering it or Equitando for the scores and results.

Photos Courtesy of Getty Images and Behind The Scene Photo Courtesy of Pénélope Leprevost.