• Western riding, which relies on perfect communication between the rider and his mount, is an increasingly popular leisure practice in France.

  • Direction Terres Alezanes, a ranch located north of the Loire-Atlantique, to discover it.

You are invited to come with your cowboy boots and wearing a hat, even if the latter will protect you more from the rain than from the heat of the arid deserts of the American West.

In Saint-Anne-sur-Brivet (Loire-Atlantique), a western stable has been full of amateur riders since its opening two years ago.

It must be said that this type of riding, which will be in the spotlight this weekend at the Angers Horse Show, one of the reference events, has been a galloping success for a few years.

“Unlike classic riding, whose origins are military, western riding is work riding, which allows the cowboy to carry out his activities on the ranch and in particular the management of the herd of cows, describes Olivia Kopp, 32, responsible stables at Terres Alezanes.

For the horse to help control the animals, the rider must first control it.

But also to understand it, to feel it, without having to pull on his mouth.

We must be able to guide it with one hand to leave the other free, for example to launch a lasso or open a gate.

The horse becomes like a partner.

»

"Whoo" to stop

In the big carousel, Blacky, Junior, and Peanuts indeed seem to get along well with their riders of the day.

Thanks to the particularly long reins, these small horses of the quarter horse breed (which live here in herds), the most suitable for practice, trot quietly, their heads down.

“These are great horses, very composed, comments Anne-Sophie, 45, who got back in the saddle thanks to western riding, after several falls followed by ten years of stopping.

We tell them “whoo”, they stop.

It's a much cooler practice, you're not afraid of getting carried away by speed.

»

Contrary to popular belief, riding in cowboy mode would therefore be “safer”, confirms Olivia Kopp, who sees many beginners of all ages coming to the ranch.

A feeling due, perhaps, to a more comfortable saddle and a pommel to which you can hold on, but also to particularly well-trained horses.

Among the many disciplines offered by western riding,

reining

requires calm and precision from the rider and his mount to perform, again with long reins, all kinds of tricks such as the

sliding stop

, a spectacular sliding stop.



“Much more fun”

But in Terres Alezanes, we also come to rub shoulders with the Mountain trail terrain (6,500 m²), the largest in France, where championships have already been organised.

“There are different obstacles that you have to pass in the saddle or on foot, reports Laurent Hinault, the owner of the place.

We brought in a lot of land to have some montages.

There are ponds, bridges, some of which are rocking… We take you on a journey through this setting!

»

A little further on, seven small marsh cows are also part of the experience.

During “cattle drive” sessions, they lend themselves to the game of “cattle work”.

“Doing the cow is much more fun than jumping bars, assures Marie, a 25-year-old practitioner.

Honestly, I had a lot of preconceptions

before embarking on the western.

And finally, a big crush… I'm having a blast!

»

World

Charles III Auctions 14 Horses That Belonged to Queen Elizabeth II

Economy

Employment: From the box to the track, the equine industry is recruiting

  • Company

  • Pays de la Loire

  • Horse

  • horse riding

  • Hobbies