So do you fancy a show with a thousand horses, 250 exhibitors, and new equipment for horses, riders, and competitions? Or perhaps a Pony Show Jumping Competition and an international working riding competition? Or demonstrations of reining, cutting, flagging, and roping (in an American-style ranching exhibit, complete with country music and line-dancing)?
The Cheval Passion (and associaed Crinières d’Or gala event) are one of the highlights of the Provencal Winter Calendar. Even if you have never seen a horse (and perhaps especially if you haven't) you are going to fins this quite the spectacle, if you wisely decide to check it out!
Cheval Passion and the Crinières d'Or (Mane of Gold) gala are organized by Avignon Tourisme with the support of the City of Avignon, Grand Avignon, the Vaucluse Department & Region Sud, the French Equestrian Federation, the Regional Committee of Equitation Provence Côte d'Azur, the French Horse and Equestrian Institute, and partners.
The 2024 edition of Cheval Passion d'Avignon
In this (french-hosted) Olympic year, Cheval Passion 2024 (January 17-21) will focus on high-level sporting events, with Show Jumping and Working Competitions featuring the best European riders competing in both dressage and technical handling events (like timed maneuverability and livestock sorting). Given the location, there will be many local breeds in pride-of-place; including Camargue, Lusitanian and Purebred Spanish horses. Several horse sales will be held. throughout the duration of the show.
The Graines d'Artistes project (supported by the Éperon Fund) features young riders (from school and colleges) in shows on the 'Poney Passion' track. The Crinières d'Or gala (show) will celebrate the strength of the bond that unites man and horse. Marvel at the unique gaits of Icelandic horses, the incomparable elegance of the Iberians, the return of the cavalry regiment of the Republican Guard (in a poetic battle with the trainer Gari Zoher,) the poetry of Camargue horses and flamenco culture, the Mexican accent of Marco Zermeño, or the frenetic rhythm of the Caval'Show.
Video Preview of the Event
But don't take my word for it. Check out this nice little promo video (from the event organisers) which will give you an idea of what to expect:
How to Get there
By train: The SNCF station is is in the centre of the city and is connected by shuttle bus to the TGV station on the outskirts (from where Paris is just a 2h40 journey away). For timetables and information, visit the SNCF website or call 3635 (08.36.35.35.35 from abroad).
By car: Leave the A7 motorway at the South Avignon exit (if coming from Marseille, Nice, Italy), or the North Avignon exit (if coming from Lyon, Paris). Alternatively, leave the A9 motorway at the Remoulins exit (if coming from Nîmes, Montpellier, or Spain). The city is also served by the RN 7 and RN 100 national routes.
By bus: For the Local Network - Find info and Timetables on: www.pemavignon.fr. For the Regional Network, note that the Region has been consolidating its transport networks under a single banner: ZOU! New colors now adorn the buses that criss-cross the regional territory. More here: www.info-ler.fr
Resources
Accommodation
With stunning views, private pool, super-fast Broadband and modern air-conditioning, the villa Haute Vue is a pet-friendly villa rental with fast WiFi in Montauroux; well positioned for exploring both the interior of Provence and the highlights of the French Riviera. Sleeping 10/12 in 5/6 bedrooms, it is close to the beautiful perched villages of the Var and in easy reach of the beaches and sights of the sparkling Côte d'Azur.
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