Clément Bargain, edited by Yanis Darras 06:13, December 10, 2022

The riding world is shaking.

The government has announced that it wants to simplify the application of VAT in equestrian centres.

Currently, the tax varies from 5.5 to 20% depending on the item of expenditure.

The executive wishes to harmonize it up to 20% only.

Something to worry about professionals in the sector. 

They were numerous this Thursday in Paris to protest against the increase in VAT from 5.5 to 20%.

They are equestrian centers and pony clubs.

Since 2014, the VAT that applies to equestrian centers is complex.

It ranges from 5.5 to 20% depending on the item of expenditure: fodder, breeding or riding lessons, etc.

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Price increase

A complexity that the government has decided to remove via its latest finance bill for 2023, which provides for a generalization of VAT at 20%.

A blow to the owners.

"We are going to move from an activity that we had managed to maintain more or less popular to again an activity for the rich", regrets at the microphone of Europe 1, Stéphane. 

If the VAT that applies to riding lessons goes from 5.5 to 20%, this owner of the Chavenay stables in the Yvelines will have no choice but to increase his prices.

"The end of the equestrian world"?

“An annual package would increase by more than €100,” he estimates.

"The average hour of lessons is between 25 and 30 euros. We will go to more than 35 euros now," he explains.

A substantial increase for the club's licensees.

"I do two sessions a week. Maybe I will only do one now", insists a teacher, used to the place.

"Everything increases, especially when you go shopping. But, there is a point, you can no longer do everything," she explains.

Fewer riders would jeopardize the activity of François, president of the Société Hippique de Grignon.

"If there are fewer people, we will have less money to pay all the costs. It will be the end, I think, of the equestrian world", he is alarmed.

Bosses already weighed down by inflation and who now fear having to go out of business.