Located just a stone's throw from the town center, the Stade Equestre is one of the most legendary equestrian venues in France. It boasts a magnificent grandstand designed by Gustave Eiffel.
Originally, the Sichon was a simple meadow. In 1887, the Société Hippique Française (SHF) organized its first horse show in the spa town. This Society, the mother of young sport horses and ponies in France, has been in existence for 147 years (founded in 1865). Since Napoleon III, its vocation has been to look after young horses. From the need, in the 19th century, to select service horses, to the need, at the beginning of the 21st century, to train and select sport horses and ponies in six equestrian disciplines, the Société Hippique Française has evolved along with the role of the horse in society.
As a result, the town quickly saw the construction of a 600 m racetrack on the Sichon River, surrounding the competition grounds. The grandstand, listed as a Monument Historique, was built by Gustave Eiffel to plans drawn up by Albert-Félix-Théophile Thomas, one of the architects of the Grand Palais in Paris. Owned by the SHF since 1896, the Stade Equestre is now managed by the Vichy Communauté.
The site has undergone a number of modifications in recent years. It now boasts a sand quarry at the heart of the competition grounds.
The Stade Equestre du Sichon hosts regional, national and international show jumping competitions such as Jumping International, which attracts over 400 horses, 80 trucks and some twenty nations (France, Chile, USA, Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy, Switzerland, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain...).
The two-star show jumping competition lasts four days and is organized by the Société Hippique Française. It is the oldest show jumping competition in France.
Main events from March to October :
International 2-star show jumping competition
Grand National show jumping leg
Young horse competition CSO Label
Pro 1 and Pro 2 show jumping competitions
French Arabian Horse Championship
French Miniature Horse Championship (cancelled this year)
Periode d‘ouverture : Autumn, Summer, Spring
From 11/06 to 29/09/2024.
