ENGLISH TEXTS
of a century – a silver jubilee! And it must be said, the Bergerie racetrack has a way of capturing hearts, with its old-fashioned, romantic charm. Inaugurated in 1823 in the heart of the Pin state forests, it was then one of France’ s premier flat racing tracks. Its steeplechase course has changed little since Baron de la Motte, the stud’ s deputy director, designed it in 1850. A large grandstand adorned with Eiffel-style iron posts has stood facing the track since 1875. Climbing its steps feels like stepping back in time... From above, the track and steeplechase course, encircled by tall trees, are truly magnificent.“ I haven’ t missed many race meetings at the Pin since my youth,” smiles Denis.“ As a small breeder, I’ d love for a horse I bred to win here.” He has filled countless roles on race days. In recent years, Denis has been on duty with the medical teams, acting as a guide if needed through the twists and turns of the steeplechase course. Other volunteers run the refreshment stand, manage horse arrivals and ID checks, oversee track entry and exit... There are thousands of tasks to handle on race day, and even more beforehand, like setting up signage, maintaining the twenty-odd obstacles, and placing flags. Among the forty volunteers of the Société des Courses du Pin – who are by default members of this non-profit organization chaired for the past ten years by Éric de
Catheu – there’ s a lawyer, a carpenter, an insurance agent, shopkeepers and many equine industry workers. Thanks to this close-knit team, the racetrack survived the withdrawal of the Haras Nationaux( National Studs) in the early 2000s. Once the main organizers of races at the Pin, they now only operate as paid service providers for track maintenance.“ We had to reorganize to keep going, recruit new volunteers, and especially chase after subsidies, find sponsors, and set up a raffle. We put a system in place. Obstacle maintenance is now handled by a local reintegration association,” explains Denis Legeard. The energy of the racing society has saved this piece of equestrian heritage: the Bergerie racetrack. It hosts four gallop racing meetings per year, both flat and steeplechase, two in the spring and two in the fall. The Grand Cross day in October is a highlight. Top trainers and leading owners in both flat and jump racing don’ t shy away from this Norman track.“ Three weeks before the first meeting, we meet up on a Saturday to clean up the reception areas and set up the picnic zones. Everything is finalized on the eve of the races.” The cheerful group also gets together to brainstorm public attractions to draw and keep spectators: classic car exhibitions, Percheron and pony races, hunting hound parades, concerts, local markets... A fruitful brainstorming process, as some race meetings attract nearly 900 spectators! It must be said, all the volunteers distribute flyers and posters in their neighborhoods, and banners advertising the race meetings pop up along the roadsides... The Société des Courses du Pin’ s season ends like an Astérix banquet: with good food and music, among volunteers, planting the seeds of new ideas to secure the future of their beloved racetrack.
A DAY TO HONOR OUR VOLUNTEERS
6,000 volunteers put their skills to work for the 233 racecourses across France, and France Galop, the Société du Trotteur Français and the FNCH( National Federation of Horse Racing) have decided to celebrate their commitment. Every two years, the two governing bodies of racing take turns dedicating a day to volunteers. In 2024, France Galop had the honour of welcoming 1,250 volunteers during the Qatar Arc Trials and inaugurated the very first edition of the“ Collective Projects Competition.” The goal is to highlight innovative team-based initiatives that showcase both the quality of race organisation at the regional level and the strength of volunteer involvement. The racecourses of Morbihan— represented by the racing societies of Vannes, Guer, Josselin, La Gacilly, Mauron, Ploërmel, Pontivy
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