Cheval Passion returns for its 37th edition from January 18 to 22 at the Avignon exhibition center. The second largest event in Vaucluse will bring together more than 1,000 horses, 800 breeders, 250 exhibitors and 80 hours of entertainment.
On average, Cheval Passion brings together 90,000 visitors each year from Vaucluse, but also from neighboring departments and even from much further afield. The event shines on a regional and even European scale in terms of equestrian creation. This year, the event organized by Avignon Tourisme and the city of Avignon will be on the theme of the magic of equestrian arts. Because “the horse is sharing, emotion“, assures Dominique Méjean, director of the events division of Avignon Tourisme.
For five days, many demonstrations will shed light on the different more or less known equestrian disciplines. This year, the Grand Club will even allow the curious to learn about archery on horseback, equifeel, TREC, vaulting or western riding. Meet in the quarry in hall H. For the third time in a row, it will also be possible to discover the show, its backstage and the Golden Manes gala with a VIP pack. Or even to do some shopping in the many stands: food for horses, equipment for the rider and his mount, transport vehicle…
“Finding equestrian shows that will surprise but always of quality”
But the DNA of Cheval Passion remains the equestrian arts. This year again, the organizers tried to “find young talents, unearth equestrian shows that will surprise but always of quality”, as explained by Fabien Galle in charge of the selection of artists. At the Golden Manes gala, this year we will have pure Spanish horses from Cordoba ecuestre who will perform long reins and pas de trois, putting the inseparable traditions of Doma Vaquera and Flamenco under the spotlight.
Spectators will also be able to admire the creativity of Italian masters of dressage or various aerobatic shows, in particular the female collective Nagaïka Tribes, the fraternal duo formed by Jérôme Sefer and Kevin Ferreira and the combination of Cossack aerobatics and aerial acrobatics by Marie Barcelona and Pierre-Antoine Chastang. Without forgetting the number of Lysiane Moerschel, who joined the Cheval Passion academy in September 2022, with her Iberian horse Pescador. Of course, Calixte de Nigremont will always be faithful to animation.
An unprecedented partnership with the lawyers of the Avignon Bar
Spectators can also have something to eat while enjoying the equestrian cabaret (hall K) which has a bodega atmosphere. The poster is 50% renewed this year. About twenty artists and companies will follow one another on the track from 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. It is on this sandy square that the greatest talents, such as Lorenzo, the Pignon brothers or Magali Delgado, cut their teeth.
Honoring working equitation
The year 2023 will also mark the rise of one discipline in particular: working equitation, a legacy of the traditional use of the horse in breeding and driving cattle. The Camargue herdsmen still practice it. Several manadiers make it known to the public, like Renaud Vinuesa installed in Cailar, in the Gard. The latter passed a VAE (valorization of acquired knowledge and experience) at the Haras d’Uzès to better supervise this activity: “We will be able to develop within our manades a little more reception of riders to discover horse riding pastoral. Whether on the aspect of competition or leisure. It is important today when we are attacked from all sides by animalists. Our profession is in danger, “he says. He will receive, like the other manadiers, his diploma on Thursday January 19 at Cheval Passion. This year, the event will host the federal working equitation competition and the cattle sorting competition of the AFEC (French working equitation association).
France has 3 million riders. Some own their horses, others manage an equestrian centre, and still others live from breeding. Everyone will be able to take advantage for the first year of a partnership forged at the initiative of President Jean-Maxime Courbet between Cheval Passion and the lawyers of the Avignon Bar. Visitors will be able to benefit from free consultations and advice on issues related to equine, rural, labor or agricultural society rights. Several lawyers will also lead four conferences on “agricultural companies in the equestrian world”, “rural lease and equestrian activities”, “liability and veterinary obligations” and “contracts for the sale of equines”.
A meeting with the eventing rider, Nicolas Touzaint
Among the conferences not to be missed, there will be the meeting with Nicolas Touzaint, Olympic rider multi-medal winner in CCE (complete horse riding competition) on Thursday January 19 at 2 p.m. During a round table, he will talk about the evolutions in the preparation of the couple of horse-rider athletes in terms of nutrition, longevity and performance. Other conferences will be given on the human-horse relationship, in particular that of the equine behaviorist Emma Willems on Thursday January 19, at 4:30 p.m. in hall E or that on “the mirror horse of our emotions” by Equicie France on Friday January 20 in 4 p.m.
Cheval Passion is of course aimed at enthusiasts and players in the horse world, but also at families curious to discover this universe. Several events are ideal for getting started, including free shows such as Poney passion on Wednesday January 18 at 2 p.m. at Palais A or the artists’ show on Thursday 19 and Friday 20 at 1 p.m., still at Palais A. And visitors who answer the questionnaire available at the reception of the Grand club (hall H) can try to win a VIP box to attend the gala of the Golden Manes on Sunday January 22, at 3 p.m.
Lounge entry from €13.50 to €16.50. Tickets for the Golden Manes gala between €28.50 and €50.50. Reservations on cheval-passion.com/billetterie or by telephone on 06 18 65 33 96 or at the usual points of sale. This year, even more car parks will be free: chemin des Félons, at Avignon airport and new: route de l’aerodrome with free shuttles to the entrance to the exhibition centre.
Mary Meunier
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