La Barcelona Equestrian Challenge (BECH) organized among the students of the prestigious Escola Superior de Disseny i D’Art Llotjathe fifth edition of the contest A jump for the city, which consists of designing an obstacle for the show jumping competition with the most worldwide prestige: the CSIO Barcelona. The objective of this initiative, having gone on for many years, is that of further strengthening the existing link between the century-long sports competition and Barcelona, as well as the international promotion of the city.
The obstacle, which still is a model, will be produced in the carpentry workshop of the Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. “Art Decò”, the project name, will be presented officially in mid-September and will be part of the 108th CSIO Barcelona courses. This is Spain’s oldest international sporting event, which will take place from October 3-6 at the club facilities.
“Art Decò”, a 1920s jump
Jessica Álvarez and Talía Puey of la Llotja have won the design contest with “Art Decò”, an elegant, minimalist, colorful project based on the magic fountain of Barcelona and the Venetian towers that frame the avenue that extends to it. “We wanted to make an original, representative jump to convey the essence of magic and the spectacle of the city”, the winners commented.
The project began as a wall, but has finally evolved into a vertical jump. In the words of the designers: “winning has been a total triumph at a personal level, and we are glad to know that all the effort and hours invested have come to fruition. It is gratifying to know that something that has sprung from our minds has turned into something tangible, and not only that, will be displayed in a competition of such high prestige.”
A total of five finalist projects were presented at the contest and the jury consisted of Gabriel Arranz, department of sporting events director of the Institut Barcelona Esports; Curro Espinós, RCPB president; Emilio Zegrí, Real Club de Polo de Barcelona Foundation president; Annamari Basora, communications and sponsorship director at La Vanguardia; Elena Boix, CSIO Barcelona track manager; and María José Vidal, professor at the Llotja Art and Design School, officially the Escola Superior de Disseny i D’Art Llotja.
Elena Boix, CSIO Barcelona course designer emphasizes: “The winning jump represents an important part of the sentiment and culture of the city just as the fountain of Montjuic does and, because of its color and radiance, opens up a variety of technical possibilities still in development.”
Likewise, Emilio Zegrí, FRCPB president points out: “from the RCPB Foundation it delights us to be able to contribute to the promising young design talent in Barcelona by providing them an international, prestigious showcase such as the CSIO Barcelona in which to demonstrate their great talent.”