Competing in France

[Booboos]

Following on from an earlier post about hacking in France we've now been back for a house hunting trip and have three possibilities (one is looking very strong, we've had a chat with the Mairie about stables and he was very encouraging). Many thanks to everyone who helped with the hacking ideas, I was armed with maps, etc. and the hacking seems wonderful.

One more question for French residents please: we are looking in the Languedoc-Rousillion area, which I appreciate is not terribly horsey compared to some other areas but OH is desperate for the warm weather. Does anyone know anything about opportunities to train and compete in dressage in that area? I am a complete amateur and have only ridden up to Medium level, so nothing too fancy, but I do like going out and about (I have read up on how horses need to be registered and how riders need to pass the Gallop 7 exam, so was just wondering more generally whether there are show centres in the area, how often you might be able to compete, whether there are good dressage trainers, etc.).

 

[Gonetofrance]

If you want to talk to me I'm more than happy to give you some time.
I'd say forget the Languedoc..........too hot and no grass.
South (only south) of Pau,where I'd love to be but property with land is impossible to find) or North of Perigueux, otherwise you have zero grass all summer.
I'm on the Limousin/Doordogne border which has the best of both worlds.
PM me and I'll chat to you.

 

[flohelf]

Agree with Gonetofrance. And not only is Languedoc-Roussillon hot with no grass but it is plagued with strong gusty winds which make people AND animals crazy

Limousin-Dordogne area def better if you're horsey

 

[JCWHITE]

You could also try logging on to Equine On Line, France, and Total France, both have horsey forums, and lots of nice people to give great advice too.You seem to be doing a very thorough job yourself in your research. Good luck and do let us know how you get on.
JC (Dordogne)

 

[cefyl]

While you are on the topic of France. I do not want to move back to the USA full time, in fact we will probaly sell our property there as I hardly go at all and hubby only goes for family & business.

I have looked at Normandy, have a couple of friends in the Orne who love it. Particularly as it is a great road link to the rest of Europe.

Any thoughts on Normandy as a destination? Have a few places lined up to view - between Cherbourg and Caen / Pont L'Eveque Calvados / Orne - Sees.

 

[kit279]

I grew up in the Pyreness, just south of Pau - seriously good horse country, lots of grazing and good competing as well. If I were moving back there, I'd go look around Pau or Toulouse, definitely Midi-Pyrenees, Gascony way. Weather is just as good, warm all year round (we used to have palm trees in our garden). The people are very friendly as well! You could also have a look out towards Pyrenees Atlantiques but less horsey (and less friendly) in the Basque regions. Bordeaux region is supposed to be nice as well but I don't know about competing there.

 

[Booboos]

Thank you very much everyone! I completely get the message that the Languedoc area is not ideal for horses (and many thanks for warnings about sandy soil colic! Sounds horrible and will need to look into that!). Unfortunately OH will not consider any other areas and the Languedoc is a huge compromise for both of us (if he had his way we would be in the warmest bit of California or in Greece. South Portugal and south Spain were considered as well and the south of France is the 'coldest' he is willing to compromise to!). OH insists that only that bit of the Languedoc has the mediterranean weather he needs, although on the bright side the area we are looking in (Aude and Herault) does not get the Mistral so hopefully we will avoid the winds!

 

[DuckToller]

Answer for Cefyl: I'm not really qualified to give an opinion except we have just come back from Brittany and we stayed with a horsey family just outside Rennes. They took us to St Lo for the day to see the French National SJ Championships and they said Normandy is the horse country of France, so it sounds ideal! St Lo is about half an hour from Caen and the town is bidding to have the World Equestrian Games there in 2014 so if they get it, the area will at least have world class equestrian facilities! Hope that helps.