Cheval Passion returns for its 37th edition from 18 to 22 January at the Avignon exhibition center. The second largest event in the 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 the 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 the 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 various more or less known equestrian disciplines. This year the Grand Club will allow the curious to learn about archery on horseback, equifeel, TREC, vaulting or western riding. Appointment in the quarry in pavilion H. For the third consecutive time it will also be possible to discover the show, its backstage and the Golden Manes gala with a VIP pack. Or even to do the shopping in the many stands: food for the horses, equipment for the rider and his mount, means of transport…
“Find equestrian shows that will surprise but always of quality”
But the DNA of Cheval Passion remains the equestrian art. Also this year the organizers have tried to “find young talents, bring to light equestrian shows that will surprise but always of quality”, as explained by Fabien Galle responsible for the selection of artists. At the Golden Manes gala, this year we will have pure Spanish horses from Cordoba ecuestre running long reins and pas de trois, putting the inseparable traditions of Doma Vaquera and Flamenco in the spotlight.
Spectators will also be able to admire the creativity of the Italian masters of dressage or various acrobatic shows, in particular the women’s 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 the animation.
An unprecedented partnership with the lawyers of the Avignon bar
Spectators can also grab a bite to eat while enjoying the equestrian cabaret (Room K) which has a bodega feel. The poster has been 50% revamped this year. About twenty artists and companies will follow one another on the dance floor from 11:30 to 18:30. It is on this sandy square that the greatest talents, such as Lorenzo, the Pignon brothers or Magali Delgado, cut their teeth.
Honor work riding
2023 will also mark the rise of one discipline in particular: working horse riding, a legacy of the traditional use of the horse in breeding and in the management of livestock. Camargue shepherds still practice it. Several managers make it known to the public, such as Renaud Vinuesa installed in Cailar, in the Gard. The latter has passed a VAE (evaluation of the knowledge and experience acquired) at the Haras d’Uzès to better supervise this activity: “We will be able to develop within our manades a little more welcoming of riders to discover the pastoral care of horse riding. Whether on the aspect of competition or leisure. It is important today when we are attacked from all sides by animal rights activists. Our profession is in danger, “he says. He will receive, like the other manadieri, his diploma on Thursday 19 January at Cheval Passion. This year, the event will host the Federal Working Equestrian Competition and Livestock Sorting Competition of the AFEC (French Working Equestrian Association).
France has 3 million runners. Some own their own horses, others run an equestrian center, still others live from breeding. For the first year, everyone will be able to benefit from a partnership forged on 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 advice and advice on equine, rural, labor or agricultural society rights issues. Several jurists will also conduct four conferences on “farms in the equestrian world”, “agricultural leasing and equestrian activities”, “veterinary responsibilities and obligations” and “equine purchase and sale contracts”.
A meeting with the full driver, Nicolas Touzaint
Among the conferences not to be missed, on Thursday 19 January at 2 pm, the meeting with Nicolas Touzaint, multiple-medal Olympic rider in the CCE (complete equestrian competition). During a round table he will talk about the evolutions in the preparation of the couple of horse riders in terms of nutrition, longevity and performance. Other conferences will be on the man-horse relationship, in particular that of the equine behaviorist Emma Willems on Thursday 19 January, at 4.30pm in pavilion E or the one on the “mirror horse of our emotions” by Equicie France on Friday 20 January at 4.00pm
Cheval Passion is obviously aimed at enthusiasts and protagonists of 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 18 January at 2pm at Palais A or the artists’ show on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th at 1pm, also at Palais A. And visitors who answer the questionnaire available at the reception of the Grand club (room H) can try to win a VIP box to participate in the Golden Manes gala on Sunday 22 January, at 3.00pm.
Lounge entrance from €13.50 to €16.50. Tickets for the Golden Manes gala between €28.50 and €50.50. Active reservations cheval-passion.com/billetterie or by telephone on 06 18 65 33 96 or at the usual points of sale. This year, even more parking will be free: chemin des Félons, at Avignon airport and new: route de l’aerodrome with free shuttles to the entrance to the fairgrounds.
Maria Meunier
