Virginie Cooper-Eiffel. “When I was a child my father made me sell my little ponies to learn how to make money”

Madame Figaro. – At the time of waking up?
Virginie Coupérie-Eiffel. – 7:30 a.m. When I’m in Bordeaux, it’s coffee, then the stables.

The height of your position.
My job is to raise horses like a craftsman with my hands and heart. For the Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping (A jumping competition designed around discovering the world of equestrian sports, Editor’s Note), is the same: I bring it to life every year, from organization to sales, including financing.

Results must be given here and now.
10,000 visitors per day, 3,500 seats in the stands and two pop-up restaurants. The Eiffel Tower is the headquarters of Bruce Springsteen, who never misses a single edition.

What if we go back to the roots?
Family, animals, country. Very open house, near Bordeaux. My father, an aristocrat at heart, had a passion for horses, like my mother. She was extremely original, very Françoise Saga. There was a lot of humor in our house, quite a lot of wit, it was colorful.

The device that started it all.
Gustave Eiffel, my maternal great-grandfather. We were raised by the Eiffel Tower, the values ​​of optimism that underpin its construction and which can be summed up in two sentences: anything is possible and always higher. We all recently put his name back on our passports to keep this legacy alive.

In sports, facing the test is every weekend. To win once, you lose nine times

Virginie Coupérie-Eiffel

Mentor?
My father, a farmer, horse breeder, who created Bordeaux by jumping with Jacques Chaban-Delmas.

Accelerators to your journey.
In 2007 I created Gucci Masters in Villepinte. François-Henri Pinault told me: “But why don’t you organize such an event in the center of Paris? Immediately afterwards I was going to present my design for the Champ de Mars to the City Hall of Paris. It took me two years to convince them.

Who trusted you?
Longines, the historic timepiece, has been my main partner since the first year of Paris Eiffel Jumping.

Bruce Springsteen hasn’t missed a single release of the Longines Paris Eiffel Jumping.

Virginie Coupérie-Eiffel

Obstacles on the way.
In sports, facing the test is every weekend. To win once, you lose nine times. Every day you have to do everything again, nothing is achieved. The end of the competition was a real mourning for me.

What challenges for tomorrow?
Make jumping or show jumping more popular and accessible. Although the village and some bus stops are free, people do not always feel empowered to come. I would also like to develop the artistic side of the event. Why no concert day?

What would you like to convey?
Independence. I met my ex-husband (Julien Clerc, Editor’s Note) at the age of 20. He was a mega star, but everyone kept their own universe. This independence, especially financial, I learned very early. as a child my father made me sell my little ponies to learn how to earn money. I was very sad, but he told me. “You will understand. »

The end of the competition was a real mourning for me

Virginie Coupérie-Eiffel

When do you go offline?
On horseback, where the present moment is essential. If we are anywhere else, we risk our lives.

Disconnect for a moment?
I’m not crazy about vacations, so I’d say lessons with an ex-opera dancer. I have pulled my body so much, I really want softness.

A thought that sets you free.
My father said: “If you flatter men a lot, you will achieve everything.” He was not wrong! (Is laughing):

Defining your influence.
To arouse desire. I like to influence without influence.

A friendly hand?
Once a month chiropractor Anne-Carine Parra puts all my muscles back in place.