ENGLISH TEXTS
apprenticeships , about 230 people per year .
G . What does the CHEVALDUC research program involve , and what is its current status ?
N . B . Led by Jocelyne Porcher ( INRAE ) in partnership with the Normandy region , it explored the following question : “ Is breaking in a young horse a form of professional training ?” The Blondeau School was selected as an observation site . The study involved a panel of 100 young horses , both male and female , interacting with men and women , providing a wealth of statistical data . The results highlighted the fundamental role of the voice in providing emotional support for the horse during the significant transformations involved in the training process . This program has led to numerous scientific publications .
“ THEY ARE TRUE NEGOTIATORS IN THEIR INTERACTIONS , CAPABLE OF FORGING STRONG AND LASTING EMOTIONAL BONDS .” Nicolas Blondeau
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02 .
IN SEARCH OF RECO- GNITION
“ OUR ACTIVITY IS A PROFESSION IN ITS OWN RIGHT ; IT ’ S TIME FOR IT TO BE RECOGNIZED .”
David Lumet
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By Serge Okey
ÉCURIE DE LA RIDAUDIÈRE
Former show-jumping rider David Lumet , alongside Yann Poirier , was one of the pioneers of breaking-in and pre-training horses in France as early as the 1990s . For the past ten years , he has presided over the Association France Débourrage ( AFD ), the leading body of the profession . Despite its now essential role , this profession continues to evolve in an institutional “ no man ’ s land .“ Following in the footsteps of his predecessor , the head of the Écurie de la Ridaudière near Angers is once again making his voice heard . Hitting the mark or falling flat ?
Galorama . You are one of the pioneers -how did this activity took off ?
David Lumet . Together with the late Yann Poirier , we were among the first to start . I came from show jumping and met Éric Leray , who asked me to break-in two horses . Seeing the results , a month later , he gave me fourteen more . We sent people to train under Philippe Peltier . The turning point came when the number of races increased : trainers had less and less time to break-in horses themselves , so they turned to us , and the business grew from there .
G . Has the method for breaking-in and pre-training horses changed much over time ?
D . L . Some trainers didn ’ t want the horses to jump , while others insisted on it . We adapted . Today , the expectation is to prepare them even further . Previously , we prepared them to about 60 %; now it ’ s closer to 80-85 %. But you have to know your limits — not to push them too hard . We are also given more time . Before , contracts lasted a month . Now , for some horses , it can stretch to four months . We ’ re also asked to deliver them in prime condition . We ’ ve really evolved the profession .
G . A profession that , as you often remind us , is slow to gain official recognition .
D . L . Our activity is a profession in its own right , and it is high time it is recognized . We ’ re asking to be acknowledged so we can have the same obligations and benefits as other professions - nothing more , nothing less . Currently , there is a glaring lack of regulation — it ’ s unacceptable ! During breaking-in and pre-training , there is no traceability whatsoever . What would happen in the event of an epidemic ? I ’ m continuing the fight that Yann Poirier began twenty years ago . But the authorities don ’ t want
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