The Haras du Rambert, in Preignan, was the victim of flooding at the end of December. The insurances do not take charge for the moment, because it is about land. But his cross-country circuit, one of the most beautiful in Occitania, was destroyed, depriving him of more income. Solidarity is organized.
Mails, SMS… Frédéric Bénard has received numerous testimonies of support since his stud, Haras du Rambert, located in Preignan, was devastated by the floods of Arçon and Gers at the end of December. “I even received letters from two elderly people in Preignan, who do not ride at all… Elderly and disabled people who were praying for me! He smiles, yet another cigarette on his lips.
Faced with the 70,000 € of damage that the equestrian center accuses, it is also the entire community of the horse that is mobilized. “Many centers, riders have to come to organize a repair day of the cross country”, he explains. “Entire Tarn clubs” should thus allow the stud farm to resume its activity.
But it is not for now: it will be necessary to clean, repair the dike which gave way, recover the obstacles and the material which were washed away … To do this, it will be necessary to wait until the ground has dried, while this Sunday again, it was invaded, once again, by water … But it doesn’t matter this time, “the damage is done” and the horses are safe.
No compensation
This equine lover had the pain of losing one of his 30-year-old retirees, who refuses to have his animals slaughtered. A horse still in great shape, which he hoped to keep happy until his 40s.
One of its partners, specialized in communication, and a competition organizer have also created an online jackpot. Because Frédéric Bénard will not be compensated. Its grounds are not covered. The recognition of natural disaster would not change anything for him. 32 donors have so far donated online.
Today, with “zero cash”, “already damaged with the Covid”, he “is fighting to keep the equestrian center. In 2020, he suffered a 70% loss in revenue.
Spin off
Pascal Mercier, the president of Grand-Auch, gives himself “at 300%” to help him. It must be said that Haras du Rambert is not just any club. With 10,000 people welcomed to the site each year, the surrounding area benefits from the spin-offs of the competitions it organizes.
The cross country circuit, where 40 annual competitions were held, made him famous. In Occitania, only four comparable sites exist. He was the only one in the Gers. Eventing riders train there, clubs take their exams there and Frédéric Bénard also offers a permanent training center. As many customers for hotels, restaurants and businesses in the area.
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