The cadre noir de Saumur.

One of the most prestigious school of horse riding is the « CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR ».
During the wars of the Revolution and the Empire, the French Cavalry was known to be brave. But the problem was that most of the horses died because of the contagious diseases, the ferocity of the fights. At the same time, the equstrian formation was not good at all.
After the Napoleonic wars, the French Cavalry disappeared.
So, after 1825, a Cavalry School was created in Saumur, with the goal to « normalize the employment of the war horse ».
The school established a teacher's body, composed of big riders, civilians. These riders were coming from Riding School of Versailles, « Tuileries », « Saint-Germain ».
These riders or officer cadets of cavalry formed what we call nowadays the « CADRE NOIR DE SAUMUR ».
At first, the horses were trained for a military usage, based on the academic principles.
On june 28th, 1928 Her royal Higness duchess de berry comes to visit the School, a Carousel is given in its honour.
It is the first time the « CADRE NOIR » makes a show in public.
But at the beginning of the Xxth century, while tanks and aeroplanes appear, the question is « what about the CADRE NOIR », now in the Army?
The French government thinks that the school is part of the History of France and wishes the school to continue.
Fortunately, Equitation becames more popular in the seventies and a lot of horse riding schools is created.
To organize the education of equitation, a school of teachers must be established, with superior diplomas. The school will prepare as well for the high-level competition.
Always based on the same academic principles of the CADRE NOIR, this school provides teachers of high level, able to adapt itself to the present needs.
Military yesterday, civil today. Now the school is also famous for its presentations. The last one was fantastic. There is a riding master who guides the work and the dressage of the horses by the riders. At the same time, the orchestre of the « CADRE NOIR » is playing wellknown classical music and the famous Italian Opera singer, PUCCINI makes the show to be a real pleasure.