Global InformationEquestrianism in France information
 Horseback riding in the Camargue, France | |
| Clubs | 8 663 (2016) |
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Equestrianism is the third most popular Olympic sport in France, and the leading sport for women.
Stemming from military practices and a long tradition of teaching by equestrians such as La Guérinière and François Baucher, traditional French equestrianism is essentially represented at the Cadre Noir de Saumur. The practice of equestrianism has evolved towards sport and leisure, opening up to the general public. At the end of the 20th century, the sport became much more democratic, with a sharp rise in the number of riders, particularly young people and women. The teaching of equestrianism as a leisure sport in France is based on the existence of over 8,000 riding schools, which make trained horses available to the public. Their establishment is supported by the French government thanks to a reduced VAT rate from 2004 to 2013. At the end of 2013, riders and industry professionals protested against the increase in VAT on their activity.
France's 2.3 million professional and occasional riders are mostly middle-class, and enjoy contact with nature. The equestrianism industry employs around 45,000 people. A wide variety of disciplines are represented in France, from eventing to horse-ball and endurance, all of which are codified in France, but show jumping accounts for almost 80% of competitions. France is the world's leading organizer of equestrian competitions affiliated to the Fédération équestre internationale, and the leading destination for equestrian tourism. Many professional French riders win medals. Pierre Jonquères d'Oriola remains the most successful show jumper, while Michel Robert and Alexandra Ledermann have also won titles. Eventing also boasts champions such as Jean-Lou Bigot, Jean Teulère and Nicolas Touzaint. France is also one of the leading nations in equestrian endurance. The show business has made a name for itself thanks to artists such as Bartabas, founder of the Académie du Spectacle Equestre de Versailles.
Several official bodies are involved in equestrianism, including the Fédération française d'équitation, which awards the diplomas known as "Galops", the Société hippique française, the Groupement hippique national pour les centers équestres and the Institut français du cheval et de l'équitation, created in 2010 by the merger of the national stud farms and the École nationale d'équitation. Despite the existence of a number of specialist press titles and two Equidia channels devoted to the subject on television, equestrianism remains a low-profile media activity. It has, however, benefited from major advertising campaigns by the French Equitation Federation, using the childish slogan "Le cheval c'est trop génial" ("Horses are so cool").