"
We are looking for experienced and respectful riders with a license, to come and ride our horses during this period of confinement [...]
".
This message posted on Facebook by Benoît Denis, owner of a horse farm in the Meuse, reveals the distress of equestrian centers put to the test by the Covid-19 crisis.
To read also: Mutilated horses: the latest progress of a "long term" investigation
Like all sports centers, the 6,500 equestrian establishments in France were forced to close their doors at the end of October.
The only difference is that we cannot lock up equines as we do with weight lifting bars or soccer balls, while waiting for the next lull in the virus.
"
A boxed horse needs to stretch for at least two to three hours every day,
" recalls Philippe Audigé, president of the Groupement Hippique National (GHN), the union of managers of equestrian establishments in France.
To address this need, the French Equestrian Federation (FFE) has authorized a voluntary system.
Available on its website, a certificate allows club managers to accommodate up to 3 riders per day, for a period of 1h30 each, with compulsory masks.
“
It's quite an organization to remove the sixty horses from the Vallon farm,”
says Benoît Denis.
We receive messages from everywhere, then we have to establish a schedule and manage the traceability of volunteers.
Each rider is thus referred to with his license number, the name of the horse, the date and time of his arrival as well as the activity practiced
”.
For their part, the owners are authorized to travel beyond 1km to take care of their resident animals.
Read also: A mutilated horse found dead in the Tarn
“
Here at least we are lucky to have meadows and space.
But it is not good for a horse to stay too long in its natural state, and getting back to work promises to be difficult, ”
worries the manager of the Vallon farm.
For the clubs located in the city center whose horses are locked in their boxes, the arrival of a few volunteers is beneficial.
Released a few hours a day in the quarry or the riding school, the animals take turns stretching their muscles, but this operation is “
both time consuming and complicated
” according to Philippe Audigé, also owner of three equestrian centers in the Paris region.
"
Feeling of injustice"
However, the FFE remains clear: any paid activity remains strictly prohibited.
“
However, courses for young riders represent nearly 80% of our income,
” explains Vincent, director of a club near Deauville.
Restrictions deemed unjustified by the HLG.
"
The times take place outdoors and the riders stay at a distance of 2 to 3 meters from each other, all barrier measures are respected
", assures its president.
Read also: The Equestrian Federation calls for the release of the horses
The clubs still have the aftermath of last spring, which was a blow to most of them.
To avoid another financial disaster, managers are maneuvering differently this fall.
Some are trying to get a refund, like this club near the Bois de Vincennes which feared losing its riders.
"
We repaid the whole month of November, but we will not be able to reproduce that one more month
".
Others prefer to commit to catching up, without certainty of what the future will allow.
Finally, others plan to readjust their activities according to the pandemic context, through equitherapy sessions in the face of the anxiety of confinement.
"
I salute the responsiveness of the Ministry of Agriculture, which has listened to our requests,"
recognizes Philippe Audigé
.
But the current measures are temporary and will not suffice.
We sincerely hope that the next announcements will involve the resumption of sports for minors
”.
Especially since horse riding is proving to be a popular sport in this period of Covid-19.
In September, the FFE was the only Olympic federation to increase the number of licenses issued.
