Holstein stallions among the stars of the 20th stallion show in Saint-Lô, France

With more than 170 sires present, the Salon des étalons de sport in Saint-Lô, the home of the Selle Français, is no longer just a “normal” stallion show, but a real stallion fair. This event, which is one of the highlights of the breeding season in France, celebrated its 20th edition from February 20 to 22.

The three-time World Cup winner Baloubet du Rouet, the team world and European champion Diamant de Semilly and the former best eventing sire in the WBFSH ranking, Contendro I, used to be presented to the professional audience here. Last year, the legendary Holstein stallion Casall made his last international appearance in the large arena of the Pôle Hippique in Saint-Lô.

The facility also has another indoor arena, seven outdoor arenas, 340 boxes and a riding school, which are attached to the former Haras national, the state stud.

My Lord Carthago as the first guest of honor

The guest of honor at the beginning of Friday evening had a short journey – he only had to be led from his box in the former state stud over to the Pôle hippique: Mylord Carthago, Pénélope Leprévost’s runner-up in the World and European Championships. At the age of 26, the Carthago son appeared as fresh as ever in front of the audience for a brief tribute. And as ever, he captivated the audience with his legendary presence.

It was also the turn of the young Selle Français sires on Friday. 17 three- and four-year-olds were presented in hand before the Masters of the young Selle Français stallions began. This is a show test in which the four-, five- and six-year-old young sires complete a course with six to eight obstacles and are graded by a panel of judges from the studbook. This year, eight horses from the 2022 vintage and 15 from 2021 were at the start. There were also some ponies and twelve six-year-olds who competed on Saturday evening.

The stallions don’t have much room to jump. They share the indoor arena with the stallion owners’ exhibition stands, which are grouped around the course. Nevertheless, the “Grand Prix” for the seven and eight-year-old stallions as well as for all ponies following the young stallions was very well received by the audience in the packed grandstands and standing areas, where the spectators crowded close together.

Saint-Lô applauds for United Way

On Saturday afternoon, so many people had traveled to the Pôle hippique de Saint-Lô that observers said they had never seen the parking lots so full. As every year, the stallions could also be viewed in the stables. Staff from the various stallion owners awaited visitors to show them the stallions without their blankets or to answer questions about their protégés and provide information.

Each of the approx. 170 stallions was also presented in the hall, either in hand or ridden. The only criterion to be allowed to take part was to be approved by the Selle Français – or the Poney Français de Selle, as far as the ponies are concerned.

The Holsteiner Chardonnay, sixth at the 2018 World Equestrian Games with Max Kühner, caught the eye of many observers with his fantastic uphill canter, and the Holsteiner Verband stallion United Way won even more hearts. He finished his performance under the saddle of Lukas Wenz with an impressive jump over a 1.60 meter high steep jump, which drew applause from the audience.

Cascadello I had also traveled to Saint-Lô from Holstein. He was accompanied by a French groom from Dirk Ahlmann’s stable, Raphaël Goffinet. This was helpful in communicating with the French breeders. Cascadello I was offered to French breeders for the first time last year and was bred to 67 mares. As number 19 in the WBFSH Sire Ranking, he was also honored in Saint-Lô for his services to show jumper breeding.

A mare among the stallions

The following day, a mare was honored for the first time at the Salon des étalons – not just any mare, but Thara Nantuel. She is the dam of the lioness of show jumping, Scott Brash’s double European champion Hello Folie de Nantuel, as well as her full brother Candy de Nantuel, one of the most popular stallions in France. Thara Nantuel also produced the French champion of seven-year-old show jumpers in 2025, Indigo de Nantuel.

Like Thara, all of these horses were born at the Élevage de Nantuel, which was founded in the Tours region by the likeable Jacques Gouin. The 88-year-old former dentist was on hand in Saint-Lô to hear the applause and words of praise for his Thara, who was presented in hand by his daughter and successor at the stud, Marie-Laure Deuquet.

Economically important

Even if the Salon des étalons is the stage for honors or show competitions, its most important task is to show breeders as many stallions as possible and to bring together all or almost all the players in French show jumping horse breeding in one place during these three days.

The event provides a framework for exciting discussions among horse enthusiasts and is also of great economic importance. “Especially when it comes to young stallions, we usually have almost no coverings before the show,” said one stallion owner. But: “If a stallion makes a great presentation here, interest can immediately skyrocket.” According to this experienced expert, French breeders tend to have fewer mares covered.

Felix Flinzer: “The who’s who of French breeding”

“I think it’s amazing what a specialist audience is here,” said Felix Flinzer, Managing Director Auction & Marketing at the Holsteiner Verband’s stallion management, enthusiastically. He attended the Salon des étalons for the second time and summed up: “It really is the who’s who of French breeding. In addition, the horses are shown here in a very real way, so you can judge them well. It is always valuable for us to show our stallions here (editor’s note: last year, Uriko and Clarimo were also presented in Saint-Lô alongside Casall) so that breeders can see them. This year, United Way presented himself very well and his box was very busy afterwards. Many French breeders are also very familiar with the Holstein mare lines, and United Way’s is one of the most sport-safe lines in Holstein.”