Coronavirus: Hermès cancels its Saut Hermès, and calls off Cruise show in London

By

Godfrey Deeny

Published
Mar 11, 2020

Hermès has cancelled its annual Saut Hermès show-jumping competition inside the Grand Palais, originally scheduled for the weekend of March 20 to 22. The move comes after France banned gatherings of more than 1,000 people in its fight to contain the coronavirus epidemic.

“The house of Hermès has taken note of the ministerial decree of March 9 prohibiting gatherings of more than 1,000 people. Consequently, the 11th edition of the Saut Hermès in the Grand Palais, due to take place from 20 to 22 March, is cancelled,” the house said in a press release.

In related news, the house also informed editors that it was cancelling its next cruise show too.
 
Hermès’ move also follows the cancellation of five international cruise catwalks shows in the past several days by the following fashion houses – Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Max Mara, Prada and Versace.

First staged back in 2010, the Saut Hermès is a tony and elegant display of show jumping and dressage held underneath the giant verrière ceiling of the Grand Palais in central Paris. Measuring 13,500 square meters, the surface area of the Nave of the Grand Palais is the largest glassed-roof space in Europe.

“In the context of the exceptional current public health situation, Hermès is obliged to cancel the Saut Hermès at the Grand Palais 2020,” the house added. However, the luxury brand was keen to also pledge its "support” to “all riders and their entourages,” only a few weeks before the FEI (Fédération Equestre International) World Cup final and just four months before the Olympic Games.

The decision comes just days after  the annulation of the France vs Ireland rugby match, scheduled for March 14 at the the Stade de France -- the largest stadium in the country.

“This decision, imposed by the current situation, does not in any way detract from our attachment to equestrian competition nor from our commitment to the world’s leading international show-jumpers, whom we invite to return in 2021. Bringing together a community of equestrian enthusiasts in the center of Paris continues to be close to our heart,” added Axel Dumas, CEO of Hermès.