Saumur, capital of horse riding, recognized by the network Euro Equus as the French city of horses, training ground for the French equestrian teams, home to the headquarters of the French Institute of Horses and Riding, its Cadre Noir, but also its 2 jobs linked to the sector... Whether economic, touristic or sporting, the elements that shape the region's horse DNA and their challenges are no longer in doubt.
Based on this observation, a policy of general public accessibility to horse riding in all its forms is being implemented by the communities. It is this political will that brought together the Communes of Verrie and Rou-Marson, the City of Saumur, the Saumur Val de Loire Urban Community and the Department of Maine-et-Loire around a joint project guaranteeing the sustainability of equestrian activities in the area and ensuring the preservation of this living heritage.
The SPL Saumur Val de Loire Équestre, known as L'Equestre, will be awarded, on January 1, 2025, the management, maintenance, operation and animation of the Hippodrome de Verrie site (Sensitive natural area which hosts national and international outdoor sports events and competitions). On this site, it directly supports theorganization of events but also manages the rental of different spaces to other organizers, as well as marketing of access to the site for individual riders wishing to occasionally take advantage of the facilities for training. L’Equestre also organizes 3 major events in the region: Saumur Voltige at the Cadre Noir in Saumur, Saumur Complete at the Hippodrome de Verrie and the festival ARTHORSE in Saumur and its surrounding area.
The SPL is called upon to act as the regional horse expert and thus to provide its support to all outreach actions on this theme, drawing on the identity Capital of horse riding from the city of Saumur.
