Equita Lyon: practical steps to support horse welfare and the equestrian sector

From 28 October to 1 November 2026, Equita Lyon brought together industry professionals and the wider public for five days of discovery, networking and top-level equestrian sport. Organised by GL events Equestrian Sport, the event once again reflected the team’s commitment to horse welfare, knowledge sharing and more responsible use of resources.

It’s a real fixture on the calendar, thanks in particular to the quality of the welcome and the attention paid to the welfare of horses, riders and grooms, said Sylvie Robert, President of GL events Equestrian Sport, on Lyon Capitale’s 6 minutes chrono programme on 28 October 2026.

Welcoming around 3,500 horses and ponies over five days means taking responsibility for their welfare at every stage of the event. From stabling and exercise areas to veterinary care, horse welfare guided how GL events Equestrian Sport laid out the site and organised its teams. The event also gave people from across the equestrian sector opportunities to share their knowledge.

Improving facilities for horse

For this edition, a new hall at Eurexpo Lyon housed the stables for the show horses and an exercise arena. Previously located outside the exhibition halls, these facilities provided better conditions for stabling and preparing the horses.

Horse welfare has always been central to the work of GL events Equestrian Sport. The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games marked a further step in strengthening and formalising existing measures, including making the appointment of a Horse Welfare Coordinator standard practice at every event.

In Lyon, veterinary surgeon Richard Corde took on this role, working with officials, riders and grooms to raise awareness, provide advice and help improve practices. A horse welfare committee also supports this work.

You will always find me working to improve horse welfare, Sylvie Robert said in an interview with GRANDPRIX on 27 October 2026.

Sharing knowledge at every stage of a horse’s life

The Equine Welfare Day on 29 October focused on older horses and was hosted by equestrian sports journalist Kamel Boudra. Experts shared their perspectives on dental health, nutrition, physical ability, adapting exercise and managing the transition to retirement. The discussions gave owners, enthusiasts and professionals practical guidance on caring for horses at this stage of their lives.

The Equine Health Area continued this work throughout the five-day event. Talks, activities for younger visitors and a virtual reality tour of an equine operating theatre developed by VetAgro Sup helped visitors learn about emergencies and how to respond. On 30 October, the Equirencontres sessions run by Boehringer Ingelheim focused on vaccination and its role in protecting horses and the wider equestrian sector.

Conserving resources and raising awarenes

Responsible use of resources was also part of GL events Equestrian Sport’s commitments. At Equita Lyon, storing the sand used in the arenas near Eurexpo reduced the need to transport it between editions.

GL events Equestrian Sport also worked with SAUR on water conservation initiatives. Water refill stations were installed throughout the show, and reusable bottles were made available to reduce the use of single-use containers. Near the Children’s Village, creative workshops, a water bar and quizzes helped visitors of all ages learn more about water and why it matters to conserve it.

Supporting careers in the equestrian sector

Knowledge sharing also extended to careers and training. Developed with Équi-ressources, with support from Fonds Éperon and in collaboration with the French Horse and Riding Institute (IFCE), the Careers and Guidance Area gave young people and those considering a career change the opportunity to meet professionals and explore training options in the sector.

By bringing together people working in equine health, breeding, sport, training and innovation, GL events Equestrian Sport made Equita Lyon a place to exchange ideas and share practical knowledge. Its teams carry this work forward from one edition to the next, helping improve practices for horses and the people who care for them.