Show jumping in France

[Woody Le Bois]

Hello!!I have just moved to France with my horse and we both love it here. I have recently started thinking about competing him (show jumping and some eventing). My French is not great and from what I gathered from friends at the yard and internet is that I need a licence to compete in France and have my horse registered. The French Equestrian Federation website is quite complicated and of course in French so it's hard for me to make sense of it all.
Does any one know anything about this French licencing process (how do I even apply?)? Maybe someone has any experience with competing in France and would be able to help?
I also heard of a foreign guest rider licence. Anyone know what is it and if it is worth getting one? Annnnd last question: I haven't changed the ownership over to me yet (in the passport) would I still be able to send that off to haras national? I have a bill of sale.
Thank you in advance for all your help

 

[JCWHITE]

Hi, you should find a lot of information on French Entree or Anglo Info forums,or ask on the Overseas part of this Forum. My best advice would be to join your local FFE Club. Then you need to decide if you will be a CLUB competitor, like our unaffiliated, or Amateur, like our affiliated for jumping anyway.
Does your horse have a known pedigree or not? this will affect which level you compete at.
You will also need a medical cert from your Doctor, each year.
There are English speakers at SIRE. You can mail them.
Allow plenty of time for all this to happen and photocopy everything you send.
Good luck!

 

[Woody Le Bois]

Yes he has a full pedigree so that shouldn't be a problem. Could you tell me what SIRE is? And thank you for your reply.

 

[JCWHITE]

SIRE is the Database , Haras Nationaux at Pompadour, I think ,
You should be able to google it,
Last time I registered a new horse, I found a helpful lady on reception who was only too pleased to speak in English and advise.
They take calls between 9 and 12.
A full pedigree should mean your horse can go on to the Sports horse liste, 220 euros, Vets certificate verification needed, and you could ride in Amateur comps or Club ones.,
For Amateur you may need to pass your Galop 7, ask at a Club, or have transferable english proof of competition. As I said earlier, good luck!

 

[Woody Le Bois]

Thank you so much. I think i ll only compete in the club competitions, as my french is not good enough for any tests yet. I will definitely give the SIRE a shout then. But 220E that's dear :O
do you know where I can apply for the licence? The ffe website (it's quite hard to navigate, again probably due to my poor french). Thank you once again for the reply

 

[JCWHITE]

Just go on the ffe, look under CLUBS, put your whereabouts in, and go along to your nearest one,
maybe your friends could advise you or ask at the local mairie or even tourist office.
As I said if you have transeferable acceptable competition record in the uk, the ffe may award you a Galop 7 for Amatuer
If you register your horse ONC, the costs are much less, but your horse can only compete at Club level.
You ffe license is 36 euros a year if you are over 18.
You really do need to find a Club, preferably one which specialises in competitions, which you can put a filter on your search.!!