How did modern horsemanship come about in France?
A story of elegance, rigor, and freedom
French horsemanship was not built in a day. It took shape slowly, over the centuries, between battlefields, royal courts and training arenas.
Today, whether we approach it as a way of life, an Olympic discipline or an intimate connection with the animal, modern horsemanship in France still bears the traces of this long tradition.
But how did we go from war to grace, from the utilitarian horse to dressage riding on the Olympic Games tracks? Let's delve together into the history of the French horse and its riders.
🛡️ Horsemanship that is primarily military and functional
Before it was a sport or a passion, horse riding was a necessity. From the Middle Ages to the end of the 18th century, the horse was a tool for war, hunting or work.
It is in this context that the first foundations of dressage were born: a supple, maneuverable, and fast horse was needed, capable of responding to the slightest pressure. French horsemanship then became imbued with a military-like rigor, but also with a certain appreciation for the beauty of movement.
🏛️ Renaissance: birth of the school of lightness
In the 16th century, France established itself as one of the cradles of classical horsemanship . Antoine de Pluvinel, equerry to King Henry IV, founded an equestrian academy where riders were taught not only how to fight, but also how to "ride correctly." He introduced gentleness, an understanding of the horse, and the beginnings of what would later be called traditional French horsemanship .
"Nothing is achieved by force, but everything by art." – Antoine de Pluvinel
This current will take centuries to permeate all practices, but it is still at the heart of dressage riding today, as it is practiced in the great French schools.
🎖️ The army, a crucible of modern horsemanship
In the 19th century, the French cavalry, through the Saumur school (founded in 1828), became a laboratory of equestrian knowledge. The famous Cadre Noir transmits both the heritage of classical riding and the technical demands of military exercises.
It was also during this period that competitive riding took shape: movements, obstacles, and figures were codified.
Disciplines such as dressage , eventing , and show jumping emerged in a spirit of competition, performance… and always precision.
🏅 The Olympic Games: the ultimate sporting achievement
Equestrian sports at the Olympics became a reality at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1912, equestrian sports were officially included in the Olympic Games program. Since then, France has regularly excelled in eventing and show jumping, and less frequently in dressage.
The French horse , too, is making its mark on the international scene: the Selle Français has become an ambassador of a style that is supple, powerful and elegant.
🌿 Today: between tradition, leisure and the art of living
Modern horse riding in France has opened up to all audiences: recreational riders, competitors, heritage enthusiasts, or simply horse lovers.
From equestrian centers to family clubs, from large schools to hiking trails, the bond between humans and horses continues to evolve gently.
In 2011, traditional French horsemanship , heir to this long history, was inscribed on the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity .
✨ French-style horsemanship, still alive
At Yuudada , we like to believe that horse riding is more than a sport: it's a language, a way of being in the world.
It's also about honoring a legacy, while living in the moment – in a hoodie, on a trail, or galloping on a training field.
📚 Sources:
- UNESCO – official fact sheet: French traditional horsemanship
- IFCE (French Institute of the Horse and Riding) – Equestrian History and Heritage
- The Cadre Noir of Saumur – History and missions
- Book: French Horsemanship, Art and Tradition (J.-P. Reynaldo)
- Book: From Knight to Rider: A History of Horsemanship in France (C. Maitre)
