Picture a village in France’s Sologne région, home to some 4,500 people year-round, suddenly receiving nearly 500,000 visitors in a matter of weeks. This is what happens every summer in Lamotte-Beuvron (Loir-et-Cher) during the Generali Open de France. In 2012, the event was officially recognised by Guinness World Records as the largest equestrian gathering on Earth. And in 2026, it is currently in full swing.

A Guinness World Record certified

The figures seem almost unreal, yet they are official: according to Guinness World Records, which validated the title in 2012, the Generali Open de France is the largest equestrian event ever organised. Over the course of the event, the French Equestrian Fédération (FFE) records nearly 500,000 cumulative entries, averaging around 20,000 people per day. The contrast with the usual quiet of Lamotte-Beuvron, whose population stands at roughly 4,500, perfectly sums up the sheer scale of this gathering.

The concept, however, is far from elitist, and therein lies its magic: the stars of the Olympic equestrian Games do not compete here. The heroes of Lamotte are amateur riders, often children and teenagers from riding clubs, who have earned their qualification throughout the year in their région.

Europe’s largest equestrian park

To accommodate such a crowd requires space. The Federal Equestrian Park of Lamotte-Beuvron, owned by the FFE, spans 400 acres (988 hectares), making it Europe’s largest equestrian park. Dozens of riding arenas, thousands of stables, a vast exhibitors’ village, and as far as the eye can see, horsebox lorries and trailers from across France: you don’t simply visit Lamotte during the championships, you immerse yourself in it.

According to the FFE, the event brings together nearly 15,000 riders each year, with approximately 7,000 horses and 8,000 ponies entered, and over 1,500 clubs represented. It is a unique showcase of everything that equestrian sports encompass in France.

Two fortnights, two worlds: ponies, then clubs

The 2026 calendar is divided into two major periods on the same site:

Around twenty disciplines, from dressage to barrel racing

Horsemanship is often imagined as centring solely on show jumping. Lamotte proves otherwise. The FFE features approximately twenty disciplines here. Alongside show jumping, dressage and eventing, you’ll discover more spectacular disciplines, often unfamiliar to the général public:

• Pony games: quick, acrobatic team relays that children adore.
• Vaulting: gymnastics and dance performed on a cantering horse.
• Barrel racing: a speed race around barrels, inherited from western horsemanship.
• Equifun: a playful course of varied obstacles that tests the bond between horse and rider.

This diversity puts into perspective the gap, and the distance, between the club rider and the elite level we explore in our world rankings by discipline.

How do you gain entry to these championships?

You cannot simply register for Lamotte as you might a local compétition. To compete, you must:

• Hold a current FFE compétition licence.
• Have qualified during the season via a points system earned at regional compétitions.
• Provide complète équine documentation: passport, up-to-date vaccinations and veterinary clearance certificate.

All administrative and sporting procedures pass through the fédération’s platform: our guide on FFE Compet, what you need to know explains how to enter your horse and track your results.

Attending: it’s free

Good news for the curious and families: admission is completely free for spectators (only car parking is charged, around £4 per day). You can spend a day wandering between the arenas, watch a pony games relay followed by a dressage performance, and soak up the atmosphere of what many describe as the equestrian rider’s summer holiday.

Bringing your horse to Lamotte: the real logistics of summer

Behind the spectacle lies the road. Journeying to Sologne in the height of July, often in considerable heat, with a horse on board, requires careful planning. The choice and maintenance of your vehicle is crucial: that is precisely what our comparison of horse lorries and horseboxes covers, detailing safety, ventilation and load capacity. Sound preparation for your entry also depends on the FFE Compet platform, so you approach your compétition dates with confidence.

Sources cited: Guinness World Records (2012 title), French Equestrian Fédération (FFE) for participation and attendance figures. This article is informational and is not affiliated with the FFE.