Adeline Wirth-Nègre is European judge for the baran global hunter classic

Wellington, Fla. - April 4, 2025 - The leadership of the Baran Global Hunter Classic is pleased to announce that Adeline Wirth-Nègre will officiate as the only European judge on panel of six for the debut of their landmark event. Co-founded by Kristen Baran and Andrew Lustig, the Baran Global Hunter Classic will bring show hunters into the global spotlight for the first time. Offering €300,000 in prize money, three days of high performance hunter competition will unfold July 11-13, 2025 at Longines Tops International Arena in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands.

"I have been hoping and dreaming for 40 years for such an event that might start a serious series of big international hunter shows in Europe," Wirth-Nègre said.

The U.S. may lead the way in hunter competition, but most warmbloods competing in North American jumping sports are bred in Europe.

"And that it will also show breeders the type of horses that excel in the division and will give them motivation to breed horses like that-with 'chic,"" continued Wirth-Nègre who is based at Ecuries du Grand Veneur in Barbizon, France.

While there are some countries-France, for example-that host hunter competitions like The Grande Semaine de Fontainebleau, a widespread international presence for the discipline has not yet become a mainstay at European competitions.

"My hope is that this event will showcase the best of the best and put an end to the rumor that 'a hunter horse is not a good jumper. He just has to have his knees up when he jumps,' she recited. "For me, a hunter horse shows a magnificent jump with

ease, and who portrays a beautiful attitude," Wirth-Négre said. "And the rider has to be very discreet and in total connection with the horse."

French national champion in 1986, Wirth-Nègre rode at the top level of show jumping for more than 30 years. Notably, after an extended stay in the U.S., in 1985 she returned to France and set the foundation for show hunter competition in the country. As such, she has spent the last 40 years committed to developing the discipline, training and coaching as well as judging hunter and equitation shows in France.

"[The Baran Global Hunter Classic] can show Europeans that the hunter division is not just for amateur riders, but that it is a real and difficult specialization in jumping over fences," said Wirth-Nègre.

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"I have been hoping and dreaming for 40 years for such an event that might start a serious series of big international hunter shows in Europe." - Adeline Wirth-Nègre

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About the Baran Global Hunter Classic

Co-founded by Kristen Baran and Andrew Lustig, and supported by an experienced team of industry leaders, the inaugural Baran Global Hunter Classic will take place July 11-13, 2025 in Valkenswaard, the Netherlands. The mission of this unrivalled event is to showcase show hunters-unfil now primarily a discipline in North America-on a global stage. The one-of-a-kind competition will feature 10 teams made up of three elite riders-one hunter professional as the team captain, one amateur or junior and one FEl show jumping rider-competing over a hunter style course, but in Nations Cup format. The 2025 Baran Global Hunter Classic is the debut for a unparalleled series of hunter competition in North

America in 2026 and beyond.

For media inquiries, sponsorship opportunities and further information, please contact: thebaranevent@gmail.com 

Join us as we make history in Valkenswaard.