Nizhny Novgorod's Svetlana Toropova became the best at the III Mayor's Cup in show jumping.

      In the 2025 competitions, riders from six regions of Russia participate.

      In Nizhny Novgorod, at the Passazh Equestrian Complex, the III Mayor's Cup in Show Jumping took place. The competition gathered participants not only from the Nizhny Novgorod region but also from neighboring regions — Vladimir and Ivanovo oblasts, Mordovia, Chuvashia, and Tatarstan.

      The tournament is open to all and has already become a traditional sporting event, strengthening the position of equestrian sports in the Volga Federal District. This was reported by the city’s Department of Physical Culture and Sports.

      “Every year, the number of participants and spectators increasing, and people come to cheer for the athletes. Such tournaments develop equestrian sports, and more children are discovering their abilities. In the 2025 competitions, riders from six regions of Russia are participating, and we hope that the number will grow even more in the future. We also expect athletes from partnering cities to take part,” said Anton Ermakov, director of the Department of Physical Culture and Sports.

      The highlight of the competition was the “Grand Prix” route with obstacles 130 cm high. Five pairs competed, four of whom represented the Nizhny Novgorod region. Only two local athletes completed the main course without penalties: Svetlana Toropova on Cheker Larry (Passazh Equestrian Complex) and Valeria Kravchuk on Glitter and Glamour (Timurovets Equestrian Complex).

      The decisive moment was the final run: Svetlana Toropova and her eight-year-old gray gelding Cheker Larry completed the route flawlessly in 32.63 seconds, winning the Mayor’s Cup of Nizhny Novgorod.

      “I initially planned to compete on another horse — Viconte, but he has a minor injury and is missing a few competitions. Cheker Larry is only eight years old; he hasn't reached his peak yet, as a horse's prime usually comes around 12 years old, but we have already achieved a lot and set the bar quite high,” shared Svetlana Toropova, the Cup winner.

      The tournament concluded with a spectacular “Jump and Agility” show route, where riders on horseback relayed a baton to dog handlers: “This unusual format combined elements of equestrian sport and canine skill, drawing loud applause from the audience and becoming a highlight of the tournament,” noted the department.

      It is worth mentioning that the School Sports Leagues and Sports Development Center began operating in Nizhny Novgorod. The city mayor, Yuri Shalabaev, announced this on his social media pages.

      Currently, nearly 60% of the residents of Nizhny Novgorod engage in sports. Over the past few years, this figure has increased by 17%, stated Mayor Yuri Shalabaev while presenting the municipal activity report for 2024 to the Nizhny Novgorod City Duma deputies.

      “We are actively creating conditions for the development of mass and professional sports — another important task we are working on. The material and technical base of sports schools is strengthening, and over a thousand sporting events are held annually across the city. New sports grounds are opening,” said the mayor.

      Earlier, it was reported that six sports schools in Nizhny Novgorod will undergo major renovations. Additionally, current repairs are scheduled in 11 sports facilities.