Horsing Around on Opening Day at the Cabourg Hippodrome in Normandy, France
The village of Cabourg offered free tickets for opening day of the season so why not ..Allons-y( let’s go)! https://www.hippodrome-cabourg.com/
Normandy is more than amazing scenery great food and world war II landing beaches …it’s Horse country! Due to the perfect climate, Normandy arguably has the perfect grassland of very good quality for the breeding of horses.
According to the website https://www.normandie-cabourg-paysdauge-tourisme.fr/en/destinations/terre-de-cheval/ people in this area say “Do not be surprised because our region is the first in France in number of horse farms … the Pays d’Auge is its cradle! There are more horses than inhabitants, a stud farm is located every 4 kms !”
The Prix de Cabourg got its start in 1921 as a Group 3 flat horse race in France open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It has about 25 harnessed trot and mounted trot races scheduled to run at over a distance of 1,200 metres (about 6 furlongs), they run twice around the track and races are scheduled to take place each year in late July or early August each year.
It was a bit exciting ,an American concert weekend with American style hot dogs and hamburgers hot dogs and Rock band . The band was French but had an American 50s rock vibe , and the patrons were definitely into it. Dancers take to the floor between races. Some people dressed to the nines in old style race day attire just for the fun of it. Dogs were welcomed as were families with small children. A McDonald’s happy meal character made a showing and there was a bouncy house for the kids and miniature pony rides. It’s was officially summer and opening day at the races !
There were many people from all over France as well as vacationing foreigners here myself included .. families with children and pets as well as many disabled patrons.
If you are in a wheelchair or have mobility problems this hippodrome has easy paths and accessible toilets but there are no elevators In the grandstand. There are plenty or areas to park your chair and watch down front to be In The thick of the action. There is a medical office on premises here at the Cabourg track. And overall France is very disabled friendly one only needs to ask for assistance. Race days are often hot in summer so hydrate appropriately.
We got to see everything from beginning to end. Behind the scenes we saw the horses, how they prepare before the race ,then and finally how they are cared for. Guided tours are offered if you wish to enquire before your visit , contact the cabourg hippodrome https://www.hippodrome-cabourg.com/
I was very Surprised we were allowed to wonder back to see the stables, how they get their baths, their cool down and warm up exercise, their rubdowns, and had up close personal visits with them. I have never experienced anything like it . Wonderful animals full of personality and cheekiness. although I did felt a bit sorry for them in terms of them being working animals who race as a lifestyle. In The end however, the consolation is I felt that here in Normandy the people love animals and I felt that the trainers and owner took wonderful care of them.
If you love horses and the races please tell me about your experience or If you plan to travel to Normandy and have questions please free to ask or make any comment on any previous trips in the comments below nd don’t forget to like and subscribe .