Located within the walls of Château Fontainebleau, the CSEM benefits from more than 200 years in an exceptional historical environment. You will visit the farrier’s forge, and discover his trade. Next, the infirmary, where you will learn of several ways to care for horses. Not forgetting the stables, the different riding arenas and grounds and all the rider’s activities. A complete overview of the riding world’s composition and values. A visit which is bound to move you.

History and Tradition

The Carrousel quarter, previously part of Château Fontainebleau and given over to the Ministry of War in 1871, hosted the School of Applied Artillery and Engineering (l’Ecole d’Application de l’Artillerie and du Génie) up until 1940.
During the Second World War, it was home to the National Equitation School (l’Ecole Nationale d’Equitation) created from the horses and some of the uprooted riders of the Black Cadre (Cadre noir). It was here, in 1945, that the prestigious corps of military riding instructors was recreated. When, in 1946, the Black Cadre rejoined the Applied Armored Army and Cavalry School (l’École d’Application de l’Armée Blindée and de la Cavalerie) at Saumur, the Carrousel quarter became the headquarters of the recently-created National Center for Equestrian Sports (Center National des Sports Equestres).

The Center regained its autonomy on the 1st of April 1973 under the banner of the Military Equestrian Sports Center (""Le Center Sportif d'Equitation Militaire (CSEM)"") of Fontainebleau. A Corps of the Armoured Cavalry, in 1976 it was integrated into the Land Army’s Training Corps (Organisation de formation de l’Armée de Terre (COFAT)) and it was only in August 2006 that it became part of the Applied Armored Army and Cavalry School (l’École d’Application de l’Armée Blindée and de la Cavalerie).
In 1977, it was given the honor of keeping the Standard of the dissolved 8th Regiment of Dragoons, who’s traditions it inherited. This regiment, created in 1674, was long known as the Penthièvre-Dragons, and distinguished itself on every battlefield of the Monarchy, the Empire and the Republic, especially during both World Wars.

Missions and Infrastructure.

The keystone of military equestrian sports, the CSEM is made up of a hundred men and women and 200 horses. It’s missions are to :

• Train the military sporting personnel (teachers, healers, stable heads, smiths …).
• Train the horses (from breaking-in to high-level training).
• Support the 25 military equestrian sections by participating actively in their activities via various services (replacing monitors, loaning horses, horse-doctoring, supporting major events).
• Enhancing the reputation of the Land Army (participating in local, national and international competitions).
• Contributing to the Army-Nation ties via its local activities, including those of its national Horse Trial Show section.

Competition

Since 2002, the CEMAT has influenced military riding from sporting to the highest levels according the traditions of the Land Army. Because of this , the military team, is regularly selected for France’s national team for Complete Equestrian Competitions (Concours Complet d’Equitation (CCE)). It is made up of – amongst others - Captain DeZuchowicz, Chief Adjutants Viricel and Willefert, Adjudant Leroux and Chief Sergeant Schauly. It has as its mission to represent the Land Army mainly in Complete Equestrian Competitions, descended from the Military Horse Championships. Mme Leroy (a civilian from the Defense Military) participates in the Dressage competitions.

Infrastructure

The CSEM benefits from a remarkable streamlined infrastructure in the forest of Fontainebleau (approximately 28 hectares).

The Carrousel quarter :

• 3 large riding arenas
• The stables
• 1 Dressage ground
• 1 riding track
• 1 infirmary with operating room
• 1 Farrier’s forge
• 1 « hippodrome » training course and Complete Equestrian Competition course (the Salamander (la Salamandre)).
• 2 large grounds, a Dressage ground, and a CCE training track on the manoeuvre grounds of the Rocher of Bouligny.
• 1 paddock ( to let the horses run free) and a gallop-training track on the Princes Way (route des Princes) on loan from the National Forestry Office (l’Office National des Forêts).

Set into the greenery, the Hippodrome of la Solle is one of the oldest in France, and hosts Horse Trial Shows. Under the reign of Louis XVI, on the 11th of November 1776, the Dukes of Artois and Chartres organized - for the first time - races at Fontainebleau in front of the King who had come there to hunt.

• Tariffs : Adults : 4.50 € / Special rate : 3.50 € for students, Old Age Pensioners (60+ years old) and groups (upon presentation of a justifying document). Free for children up to 15 years old.
• Visit :
  Société des Courses de Fontainebleau - Route National 6 entre Melun and Fontainebleau
  Tel : 0160 711 586 - Fax : 0160 728 371
  www.hippodrome-fontainebleau.com
• practical information :
  Big parking areas near to the Hippodrome
  Food : Le Rétrobar-brasserie-traiteur
  Open all Race days / Reservation on Race mornings : 0164 225 831
• Information and Reservations :
  Office de Tourisme du Pays from Fontainebleau
  4, Rue Royale - 77300 Fontainebleau
  Tel. : 0160 749 999 / Fax : 0160 748 022
  E-mail : info@fontainebleau-tourisme.com
  
  
  Download the calendar of events for 2012

History

In 1862, financed by public subscription to the Town Hall of Fontainebleau, The Departmental Horse Trial Show Society (la Société Hippique Départementale) officially organized its first trials at the Hippodrome of la Solle.

The works (buildings, a 2400m anti-clockwise track for the first time in France) were undertaken during with help of Chasseurs from the Imperial Guard. The inauguration took place in front of Napoleon III and the Empress Eugenie on the 22nd of June 1862, with 30,000 spectators - including 4,000 who came from Paris by the train.

In 2000, a highly-motivated administrative council, conscious of its duty to protect the future of the Hippodrome against the economic problems of the region, decided to begin a vast program of renovation and improvement of the existing facilities, : safety, security, stands, restaurants …
Approximately twenty race-meetings are held every year.