Percherons can have two or four legs

[breeze]

A person who lives in the Perche, in France, is called a Percheron. That's also the name of the breed of horse developed in the region. The horse has a very rounded form and a gentle disposition. The breed became popular in the US in the 1800s for farm work and as carriage horses. In those days, American buyers made annual trips to the Perche. Over the years the forms have diverged. Percherons in France remain modest in size, whereas in the US they have become giants.

In the foreground is a two-legged Percheron playing soccer (football). In the background, Percheron horses are competing, but less enthusiastically. Same time, same stadium.

[breeze]

One September Sunday we went to the hippodrome at Mortagne-au-Perche for the afternoon part of the 25 th departmental (which in this case is the Orne) Percheron horse show, which had started at 9am. It turned out to be somewhat mysterious to me.



The horse shows I’ve been to in the US are obviously competitions, though very friendly. “Well done, Milly Rogers and Snowflake. Let’s give them a round of applause. Those two’ll be hard to beat. Next up is a long-time favorite, Marie Creeger on Old Bones. Wave to the crowd, Marie. You and Bones ready? Okay, let’s start out with a trot.”

This show was an even more low-key event. We never saw any head to head competition. I learned later that the horses were judged on modèle et allures, modèle being conformation and allures their gaits (not their come-hither look). Possibly it’s a matter of officials looking at each horse and writing things on a clipboard. At any rate, it was such an easygoing affair that if I hadn’t seen photos a few days later of people holding silver cups, I wouldn’t have been sure it was a competition at all.

[breeze]

The Mortagne hippodrome is multi-purpose. At the center is a level grass football field, surrounded by a track, which is surrounded by a sloping grassy area. At one end is the grandstand, photographed during the lunch break. This was built in 1825 and restored about 20 years ago. These are the oldest preserved stands in France and a historic monument.



The hippodrome has a long view toward the south.

[breeze]

When we arrived it was still lunchtime. People were at their picnic tables and chairs in the shade, enjoying the food and beverages they had brought along. For most of the owners and families I think it was basically a social gathering with horses on the side.

Meanwhile the horses remained tied to rails at the edges of the field, blinking peacefully in the sun, looking a little bored. By this time of the afternoon they had probably said all they were going to say to their near neighbors and would have liked to mingle with some other horses.





Some young horses were new at this, but their mothers were there to keep an eye on them.



I had always thought Rosa Bonheur exaggerated till I saw a Percheron in the flesh.



The braiding is proof to me that the Percheron is a docile horse.





HORSES’ BEHINDS 135256 135423

The braiding is proof to me that the Percheron is a docile horse

[breeze]

At the same time as this subdued competition slowly unfolded, there was a hotly contested football game going on in the middle of the field. The players were also Percherons, but of the two-legged variety. There were no field-side seats unless you brought your own; otherwise, you just leaned on the rail. The few fans were all enthusiastic. They didn’t seem interested in the horse show and vice versa, but the two events shared the space nicely.

This was definitely peppier and more competitive than the horse show. There was a lot of running, a lot of yelling, and even frequent howling, especially by the away team’s goalkeeper, and there were a lot of goofs. Still, goals were scored and eventually one team won.

[breeze]

While my husband propped himself up on the fence to watch the end of the game, I climbed into the stands to watch the horses being shown off in groups. An official or two (in white with a red necktie and sometimes a red vest) would lead a string of horses back and forth in front of the stands at a trot. The officials have to be in good shape to trot along with the horses.







HORSEs lined up for judges 423 427 430

The horses finally get to go home. I’m sure most of them wondered what this was about.
THE END 451 454 455 457

[breeze]

We stayed for the vin d’honneur, mostly to see what that means. In this case it was a plastic glass of kir, courtesy of the ville de Mortagne. The town workers were very efficient, showing up with a truck as soon as the horses had moved away from the show area, and they made quick work of collecting the metal barriers that had been put up temporarily.

I imagine that in a few days the grass was greener along the outer rail where the horses had been tied.

[htmb]

What gorgeous photos, Breeze, and the first shot is magnificently framed.

The Percheron horses are beautiful. You must have had a fun time photographing the sights of the day.

[bixaorellana]

This is delightful, Breeze! It must have been so pleasant to spend a relaxed sunny day at an event with no yelled commentary or attempts to whip the crowd into enthusiasm.

Those horses have such pretty, mild faces. I love the three photos of them in profile in #5. I also absolutely love that, just as I was thinking that they looked as though they stepped from a painting, you mentioned Rosa Bonheur. And to ice the cake, there is a very Leger-ish photo of the two-legged Percherons almost right afterward.

Stellar photographs throughout, and your sprightly, witty text was equally enjoyable -- thank you!

[questa]

Breeze, I love your gentle laid-back commentary, specially the 'announcer's' bit. Anyone who has gone to a horse or pony club event has heard this with different names, but same timeless patter. Your pictures also show the same traditional village atmosphere, a lovely relaxing day and the beautiful horses. Thanks for the day off from the world's woes.

[tod2]

Terrific post Breeze - I am in awe of those sturdy horses. Not a bone sticking out anywhere!
The plaiting of the mane and tails must take quite some time so the horse has to have a docile temperament. I wouldn't like to be kicked by those powerful hind quarters...
Thanks for taking us on a lovely sunny day outing with you!
I'm off to look at my map of France to see exactly where Perche is located.

[bjd]

As I mentioned on another thread about this area, I have spent a lot of time near the Perche -- a bit to the west, but I didn't realize that the locals were called Percherons. To me, that was just the name of a kind of horse, which I hadn't associated with the area either. You have definitely found a place off the usual tourist trail, although I think there are lots of Brits living around there.

We were there at the end of September this year too and enjoyed the kind of weather you are showing on your photos. Unusual to me because it often rains there.

[mossie]

I have learnt something new. I had seen before on this site mention of the region Perche, but never connected the horse Percheron with it. Lovely looking horses, and they must be very docile to endure all that plaiting.

[breeze]

Thanks for your comments. Because of your remarks, I now see things that I didn't notice when I took the photos or anytime since. You're a very observant bunch.

[Deleted]

What a great thread Breeze.
Such beautiful noble looking horses.

I love the pic of the mother and baby horse.
So endearing.

I used to attend quite a few competitive horse shows in the Northeast US and now am wondering whether or not I may have seen one of these breeds.
I don't see any Jack Russell Terriers about.
They are ever present at the shows I've been to.

Thanks for this cool thread.

[breeze]

Casimira, this is the only dog I photographed that day. It looks a little too chubby to be a Jack Russell, but it's short and alert.

If you saw Percherons in US horse shows, which you may well have done, they'd be much taller and rangier than these.