WILD CHALLENGE event at the Laubie Stables: equine welfare and bitless riding - May 8 and 9, 2027
The Écuries de la Laubie are pleased to host the WILD CHALLENGE and its event organised in collaboration with the association team.
Located in a natural and wooded environment, the Écuries de la Laubie offer a privileged setting to come together around the horse, its comfort and its relationship with its rider.
It is in this spirit that we are happy to host this event, which celebrates horsemanship that is attentive to the needs of the horse, based on listening, understanding and respect.
For two days, riders, horse enthusiasts, professionals in the equine world and curious people will be able to come together around a common passion: the horse and its well-being.
You will be able to attend demonstrations by the WILD CHALLENGE ambassadors, round tables bringing together several professionals from the equine sector, as well as a competition combining 4 disciplines with 100% bitless pairs.
An equestrian event in Haute-Corrèze placed under the sign of discovery, sharing and complicity between horse and human.
The WILD CHALLENGE: shared values with the Écuries de la Laubie
The WILD CHALLENGE promotes an approach that places the horse at the heart of equestrian practice. Through its actions, the association emphasizes respect for the horse, listening to its physical and mental needs, and building a relationship of trust between the rider and their mount.
It encourages riders to deepen their knowledge, question their habits and discover different approaches to riding, including bitless riding, in a thoughtful approach adapted to each horse.
Equine welfare is at the heart of our philosophy
These values fully reflect the philosophy of the Écuries de la Laubie.
We share this desire to place the comfort and balance of the horse at the center of our concerns and to promote respectful riding, attentive to the needs of each individual.
Our location in Haute-Corrèze, in a natural and wooded environment, also reflects our attachment to nature and to a living environment suitable for horses.
Welcoming the WILD CHALLENGE into our structure is therefore a natural choice.
This partnership reflects our shared values and our desire to promote the sharing of knowledge, exchanges between enthusiasts and the evolution of equestrian practices in the interest of the horse.
Saturday's program: demonstrations and discussions about equine welfare
Saturday will be dedicated to discovering different equestrian practices and discussing the fundamental needs of the horse, current issues related to optimizing equine and human well-being.
Demonstrations by the WILD CHALLENGE ambassadors
The WILD CHALLENGE ambassadors will offer demonstrations highlighting various ways of working with one’s horse and developing a relationship based on communication, trust, and cooperation.
On the agenda:
-
Groundwork with the horse: discovering the foundations of communication, building trust, and fostering cooperation between horse and human.
-
Riding with a neck rope, side-pull, or halter: observing mounted work without the use of a bit, and discovering a different way to communicate with your mount.
-
Transitioning to bitless riding: exploring various options for riding without a bit and learning practical methods to begin the transition with your own horse.
These demonstrations will allow you to discover a variety of approaches, observe horse-and-rider pairs at work, and gain a better understanding of the possibilities offered by bitless riding.
Roundtable on equine welfare featuring various professionals :
-
In the afternoon, roundtable discussions will bring together several professionals from the equine sector—including veterinarians, saddle fitters, bit fitters, and other specialists focused on horse welfare.
-
This gathering will provide an opportunity to address various essential topics:
-
The physical and mental well-being of the horse.
-
The horse’s comfort and the adaptation of equipment to its conformation.
-
The role of the saddle and its influence on the comfort of the horse-and-rider pair.
-
Observing the horse and understanding its needs.
-
The evolution of equestrian practices toward an approach that is more respectful of the horse.
These discussion sessions will foster dialogue among professionals, riders, and facility managers. They offer an opportunity to discover complementary perspectives on the horse and to gain a better understanding of the factors that contribute to its daily comfort.
Sunday’s Program: 100% Bitless Equestrian Competition
On Sunday, the Écuries de la Laubie will host the "WILD CHALLENGE" competition, open exclusively to members of the association. This sporting event will showcase bitless riding across a variety of equestrian disciplines. Participants will use a range of bitless equipment—such as sidepulls, neck ropes, or halters—highlighting the diversity of approaches to equestrian sport and the partnership between horse and rider.
The disciplines featured in the WILD CHALLENGE competition
Several disciplines will be featured throughout the day:
-
Show Jumping (CSO) : An event that highlights precision, agility, and the bond between horse and rider as they navigate a course of obstacles.
-
Dressage A discipline that emphasizes harmony between horse and rider, the precision of movements, and the subtlety of communication between the pair.
-
Hunter Events focused on consistency, style, and the quality of execution over a course.
-
Cross-Country An outdoor course featuring fixed obstacles, showcasing the horse’s preparation, the rider’s skill, and the partnership between them.
This competition will showcase the hard work of WILD CHALLENGE members and demonstrate that bitless sport riding can be practiced across various disciplines.
It will be a day dedicated to sport, sharing, and a passion for horses—all in keeping with the values upheld by the association and shared by Les Écuries de la Laubie.
Practical information for the WILD CHALLENGE event:
Location: Les Écuries de la Laubie, 8 La Laubie, 19200 Saint-Pardoux-le-Neuf, Haute-Corrèze.
Dates: May 8th and 9th, 2027
Schedule: To be announced
Access and Registration: Link to be provided