Good bye 2012 ...

A quick look back on the highlights of the past year at the Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins…. and a look ahead at some of the major events to come in 2013.

Spring Tour

The 2012 edition was a great sporting success for both the dressage and show jumping. The dressage was the last chance for many to qualify for the Olympic Games in London. Many prestigious riders took part, such as Carl Hester, Valentina Truppa, Yuko Yagi, Emile Faurie or the French rider Jessica Michel. After her success at the sunshine tour in Portugal, the Haras de Hus rider came straight to Vidauban where her excellent results gave her France’s unique dressage qualification for London.


The show jumping also had its fair share of top riders including the current world champion Philippe Lejeune, the Olympic silver medalist Gerco Schroder, as well as members of the French Team – Kevin Staut, Penelope Leprevost and Simon Delestre. The last weekend saw a sensational win for Daniel Deusser on Nellypso Z, in the Grand Prix 1.50m. This was one of their last outings for the colours of Jan Tops.
Our next Spring Tour is scheduled from 27 February to 10 March for the dressage (CDI3*/YH/P/Y/J/U25) and from 13 to 24 March for the show jumping (CSI2*/CSI1*/YH/J/P/Ch/Y/AmB).

The coronation of Di Magic OLD at Verden

A day to remember for Bernadette Brune and Alizee Froment. After only a few months Alizee’s work with this 5 year old Oldenbourg stallion paid off. The couple won the Small Final for 5 yr olds at the Young Horse World Championships with an average of 87%, with a score of 9.5 for the trot. The following day in the Big Final, despite several small faults, Alizee and Di Magic OLD came 9th. The French contingent had a wonderful week in Verden!

Goodbye to Helio II

Arnaud Serre and his pure Spanish stallion made their competition debut in Vidauban in 2010 and so it was only fitting that November’s Fall Tour in Vidauban be their last competitive outing. There was not a dry eye in the house as the couple left the arena after winning the RLM.

The launch of Equivida Horse Balance

Bernadette Brune has been working on the creation of a line 100% natural horse care cosmetics for over two years. With the advice and help of specialists, Equivida was born in November 2012. The official launch was at Equita Lyon, which was an ideal opportunity to introduce her products and gather the public’s opinion of her concept. The feedback is very positive, and orders have started flooding in. Equivida Horse Balance will also be available at the Jumping de Bordeaux in February.

Whats on in 2013 ...

A new internet site

From January all information concerning the Domaine Equestre, the Centre Equestre and the competitions will be on one new internet site: www.domaine-equestre.com. Here you will find all the latest information and news on our horses for sale, our training sessions, our rider’s show results and of course all the events throughout the year. It will be a dynamic and user friendly platform which will help us stay close to our riders, owners, visitors and competitors.

The 4th edition of the Spring Tour

In 2013 this flagship event will take place over 4 weeks nonstop, keeping us busy all through March! Once again we will be welcoming some of the world’s top riders in both disciplines for some high class competition. This year the first dressage weekend will also include some para-equestrian classes, giving us the opportunity to admire the quality of the handisport riders. The schedules are available on line and don’t hesitate to keep up with all the latest information on our Facebook page: Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins.

Dressage Nations Cup

Our CDIO3* in May as has recently been upgraded to be a part of the Dressage Nations Cup circuit. From the 17th to 20th May Vidauban will host the first and only French date in this new circuit. The other three dates will be in Rotterdam, Aix la Chapelle and Hickstead. We are very proud to be part of this new circuit which will help put dressage in France in the international spotlight.