The Iron Dames project extends to Equestrian Sport

As an expansion of its successful pioneering project, the Iron Dames has today announced its new commitment to the world of horse riding by building an elite women's show jumping team with the ambition to compete at the highest level in FEI competitions, including the Longines Global Champions Tour and Global Champions League.

Since the project's inception in 2018, the Iron Dames has continued to spread their wings in motorsport, achieving historic performances at the highest level of endurance racing while raising awareness and showcasing their passion all around the world.

In the meantime, the team has continued to grow with more and more women joining, in line with the project's philosophy of promoting and inspiring women in all areas of mixed sports.

Mixed sports are still often perceived as masculine worlds, with relatively low representation of women in elite levels and not enough support and recognition for what they deserve. It is still the case in horse riding – the only Olympic sport featuring men and women competing directly head-to-head. They have been doing so for over 50 years, but it’s an aspect of equestrian sport that receives little public attention.

Building Iron Dames Equestrian meets this need for visibility and support for women in other sports and strengthens the development of the Iron Dames global project. 

Cannes Stars powered by Iron Dames will consist of six riders and will be the only all-female to take on the challenge of the top-level FEI show jumping competitions worldwide, notably the prestigious Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL from the 2024 season.

True to the values and spirit of a model that has proved its worth in motorsport, Iron Dames Equestrian also incorporates the development of talented young riders from junior categories to professional categories and the promotion of women in the professional equestrian world in all lines of work. 

By taking this ambitious step forward, the Iron Dames project is further establishing itself as a leader in empowering women and pushing the boundaries of sport and gender barriers.

To mark the start of this new chapter in the project's young history, Iron Dames drivers (Sarah Bovy [BEL], Rahel Frey [SUI], Michelle Gatting [DEN], Natalia Granada [ESP] and Doriane Pin [FRA]) and new Iron Dames riders (Natalie Dean [USA], Katrin Eckermann [GER], Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann [GER], Sophie Hinners [GER] and Kim Emmen [NED]) were brought together at Autodromo Vallelunga. The track, situated in Campagnano di Roma, has a highly symbolic heritage since it was converted from a horse racecourse for motor racing. The event was held with the participation of Longines Global Champions Tour and GCL ahead of the Roma leg of the 2023 championship, which the Iron Dames drivers will attend.