Institut Francais du Cheval et de l’Equitation (IFCE)

The IFCE site of the Cadre noir of Saumur dates back to the 1970s. On May 17th 1972, the Official Paper published the decree announcing the creation of the National Riding School. This decree was issued by the Ministry of Youth and Sport. The school was built in various phases since 1974.

In 2010, the National Riding School merged with the Haras nationaux, to become the French Horse and Riding Institute – Institut français du cheval et de l’équitation (IFCE). It is a public body which supports the professional development of the equine sector. The IFCE is under the charge of the Ministries of Sport and Agriculture.

The IFCE site of Saumur is today based on two large sites: Terrefort and Verrie, totalling 290 hectares (approximately 720 acres):

The Terrefort site, with an area of 130 hectares (approximately 320 acres), on which most of the buildings are based together.

The Verrie site is used for several international competitions, racing and training.

Today the IFCE Saumur site has exceptional facilities at its disposal:

4 large stables capable of housing around 500 horses

7 indoor schools and 14 outdoor arenas of Olympic standard with geosynthetic grounds

About 20km (12 miles) of maintained tracks

Hundreds of natural obstacles

A veterinary clinic

A farrier’s forge

An amphitheatre

A multimedia library