A surprise was in store for journalists, with a demonstration of 4 heritage breeds of donkey and horse by the Haras du Pin: the Cotentin donkey, the Normandy donkey, the Percheron and the Normandy Cob. A foretaste of the Equirando 2025 adventure: an unforgettable journey to discover a region at the pace of horses.
A look back at the press conference for Europe's largest equestrian tourism event
José CASTANEDA, Chairman of the Organising Committeefirst of all thanked the institutional partners who are supporting the organisation of Equirando 2025.
After describing the Equirando adventure in detail, he unveiled the new programme for this year's event, which promises to be packed with events and highlights. There will be 5 equestrian shows and around twenty events for the general public and participants to discover the horse and its diversity.
The Organising Committee has issued a reminder of the practical details: the Equirando village (events and exhibitors) will be open from the afternoon of Friday 25 July until midday on Sunday 27 July. Foodtrucks will be available on site. Admission is free.
Olivier PETITJEAN, Mayor of Bagnoles de l'Orne Normandieis delighted to be hosting this major equestrian event this summer: ’We are proud and honoured to be hosting the Equirando from 25 to 27 July 2025. It will be a wonderful celebration for the people of Bagnoles de l'Orne Normandie, but also for all visitors and riders. We have a particular affection for the horse, which has a historic link with the town. On Saturday 26 July, the general public will be able to admire the Equirandins on horseback and in carriage during the parade through the town, passing through the Belle Époque district and recalling the era when horses were omnipresent in the town..”
Frédéric BOUIX, President of the French Equestrian Federation and the International Federation of Equestrian Tourismspoke about the genesis of the event: ’Equirando is one of the founding events of modern equestrian tourism, dating back to the ‘Première concentration de tourisme hippique’, organised in Polignac in 1961.‘He also underlined the international scope of Equirando, since the creation in 1975 of the FITE, which celebrated its 50th anniversary just a few days ago.
“I would like to thank the regional and departmental authorities, who support the horse in all its dimensions, with involvement in all aspects of sport, equestrian tourism and mediation. I would also like to thank the members of parliament from the horse study groups in both chambers - of which there are many in Normandy - who help to promote the place of the horse in society and the wealth of equestrian activities in the service of public policy, and this event is a fine illustration of this.
Valérie DALODIER, President of the Comité National de Tourisme Equestre (National Equestrian Tourism Committee)underlined the strong legacy left by the organisation of such an event: ’Events such as Equirando are a showcase for leisure and outdoor riding, and help to maintain the equestrian itineraries and stopover gîtes that are the fruit of the daily efforts of the regional and departmental equestrian tourism committees and their volunteers. Whether practised alone, as a pair, in a group, with family or friends, outdoor riding is something for everyone.”
Sylvain JARRY, Chairman of the Andaine-Passais Community of CommunesHe thanked the many committed volunteers, without whom it would not be possible to maintain the itineraries and practice areas for gentle roaming, or to organise the Equirando.
Jérôme NURY, Member of Parliament and Orne Departmental Councillorthanked the FFE for awarding this edition to the town of Bagnoles de l'Orne Normandie. ’Horses are in the DNA of the Orne department. The inter-municipality has developed Greenways accessible to riders, with 40,000 crossings each year. In addition to equestrian tourism, Equirando will help to highlight the entire Normandy equestrian industry.”
Malika CHERRIERE, Normandy Regional Councillor in charge of the equine industryrepresented Hervé Morin, President of the Normandy Region. She praised the work of the Organising Committee, congratulating them on encouraging the cultural equestrian strand desired by the Normandy region: ’Normandy is a land of horses par excellence, a long-established and everyday reality. Horses are part of our know-how, our landscapes, our culture and our identity. The FFE and its departmental and regional committees are particularly active in this area. Equestrian tourism contributes to the network of our territory, creating links between the communes and departments in the vast area that is Normandy.” .
So the countdown is on for the 55th Equirando, an exceptional event bringing together the general public and lovers of horse travel.
See you at Equirando 2025, from 25 to 27 July, in Bagnoles de l'Orne Normandie!
