The public was there this Sunday, May 5, at the Texonniéras racecourse. Apart from the races, new activities have been proposed to attract a wider audience.
There was an atmosphere this Sunday at the Texonniéras racecourse. Despite the rainy spells, the activities offered to children were successful.
Enough to make Pierre Pouret, president of the Société des courses de Limoges, smile.
“It’s up to us to make efforts to welcome the general public more easily. The racecourse still retains the image of an elitist environment. We must popularize our activity, introduce horse racing to those who do not know it. »
Pierre Pouret (President of the Société des courses de Limoges)
The idea of offering entertainment with free entry works.
Yohana, 46, mother of two girls aged 10 and 3, is discovering the racecourse. “I would never have come here without the inflatable structures which amused the little ones. I found the races interesting. I didn’t know at all… The horses are very beautiful. We will come back. »
Better respected horses
Today, the challenge for racetracks is to find the crowds that come to horse races and shows. The taste for racing outside of betting has gradually been lost.
“Paradoxically, people love horses, but don’t necessarily come to watch them race at the racecourse. This can be explained by the training imposed on the animal for the race, with this image of the jockey who gives his horse a whip to go faster, analyzes Pierre Pouret. You should know that practices have evolved a lot. Animal welfare is at the heart of our business. »
Since September 1, 2023, jockeys who misuse the crop (more than nine strokes per race) have been sanctioned. The horse is left behind, the jockey pays a fine of 150 euros with suspension (ban on participating in races for at least fifteen days) to force him to respect the animal.
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This Sunday, the launch of the horse racing season in Limousin took place without incident. Six flat races captured the attention of a large audience, in which we found the punters, their noses glued to the program sheet, amused to bet on a beautiful horse with a fanciful name, or to choose the stallion accustomed to great performances won in other races.
Next appointment given on June 9, same place, same time.
Aline Combrouze
Photos: Thierry Sallaud
#French
