Greenwich is prepared for the elements as Major League Show Jumping gets underway

Organizers of CSI Greenwich have prepared for the elements this year with the addition of a temporary stadium that took less than a week to build. This weekend it will be center stage for feature events including the CSI 5* Major League Show Jumping [MLSJ] individual and team events, as well as the $200,000 CSI 5* Grand Prix at the venue in Connecticut.

The stage is set for CSI Greenwich complete with newly-built sand arena. Photo: Chelsea Lothrop Photography.

“We had the rain out last year,” said MLSJ co-founder Keean White. “So we just wanted to take the weather factor out and make sure that the ground is going to be good no matter what.”

Greenwich Polo Club, founded in 1981 by polo player, businessman and racing enthusiast Peter Brant is home to CSI Greenwich and given Peter’s passion as a collector and advocate for the arts, it is fitting that the stadium will also be showcasing artwork in the VIP areas.

Art is very much part of the Greenwich experience. Photo: Chelsea Lothrop Photography.

“It’s one of the best locations in America,” said Keean. “With the backdrop of the area, it’s special here. We want to make this a trademark show for the League, but also a trademark show for America. There are a lot of horse shows that are at venues that run 20 shows a year, so this is kind of unique and a special event in the community.”

In order to broaden the appeal of CSI Greenwich which presents 2* and 5* competition, the show also incorporates 1.10m and 1.25m classes this year.

“When we go around North America, we try to make sure that it’s not just the Major League riders, but also the riders from the local area who have a chance to compete at the shows,” said Keean.

Where polo meets show jumping – Greenwich Polo Club switches disciplines this week. Photo: Chelsea Lothrop Photography.

MLSJ was the groundbreaking show jumping vision of Keean and Matt Morrissey. The League is now in its fourth season and there are plans for its future.

“We’ve got some new venues coming,” said Keean. “I think we’ll have a second New York area location next year so we should have two shows around this time in the local area, which should be cool.”

In the meantime, organizers are focused on this weekend, expecting large crowds, and hoping for clement weather as many of the world’s best-known riders take the stage, the likes of Kent Farrington (USA), Rodrigo Pessoa (BRA), McLain Ward (USA), Margie Engle (USA), Darragh Kenny (IRL), Conor Swail (IRL), Shane Sweetnam (IRL), Karl Cook (USA), Nicola Philippaerts (BEL), Richard Vogel (GER), Daniel Bluman (ISR), Ashlee Bond (ISR), Jessica Springsteen (USA), Lillie Keenan (USA), Erynn Ballard (CAN) and Tiffany Foster (CAN) for starters.

“We’ve got about 5,000 tickets sold through Saturday and Sunday, so we’re expecting quite a big crowd, which should be awesome,” Keann said.