France boasts one of the most successful equestrian industries in the world, with a long-standing tradition in horse breeding, competitive sports, and a booming equestrian retail sector. As of 2015, the French Federation organized the highest number of RDI (Riding and Driving International) tournaments globally, hosting 582 events. The horses industry in France shows no signs of stopping at all, if you look at the Société Hippique Française (SHF), responsible for overseeing competitions for ponies and young horses. That same year it conducted 8,717 competitions, marking a significant increase from the 5,500 events it organized in 2004. If we look at the adult horses section, we see more than 100,000 competitions. The equestrian sector in France is a major employer, creating approximately 180,000 jobs, of which 57,000 are full-time positions. This makes the equestrian industry the largest employment generator in the sports sector in France. With an estimated turnover of €14 billion, the industry contributes significantly to the French economy, encompassing a wide range of activities from horse breeding and training to equestrian retail and tourism. France is home to 66 recognized horse breeds, and the country’s reputation for horse breeding is well established, especially in regions such as Basse-Normandie, which alone accounts for 6,568 breeders and more than 14,000 covered mares annually. In total, there are about 35,000 breeders in France, most of whom keep one or two mares, focusing on quality rather than quantity. Two-thirds of the horse population in France consists of ponies and riding horses, while 20% are racehorses, bred primarily for competition. The Aquitaine region in the southwest, with its capital in Bordeaux, is another key hub for horse breeding, housing 6,230 covered mares and about 2,300 breeders. This region, alongside Normandy, is at the forefront of maintaining France’s global reputation in horse breeding.