Global Amateur Tour France 2025: A Week to Remember!

Global Amateur Tour
Jul 31
3 min read

From Parisian train stations to pink grandstands on the Normandy coast, Global Amateur Tour France 2025 was pure magic from start to finish.

Arrival at the Château

Our adventure began at the iconic Gare du Nord station in Paris, where riders and supporters met their chef d’equipes before heading to GAT France HQ: a dreamy château in Autheuil Authouillet. Eight hectares of sprawling grounds, donkeys roaming by the river, and a poolside welcome set the perfect scene.

The night ended with a chef d’equipe-cooked Welcome Dinner (with some serious BBQ heroics from Australia supporter Raymond) and the all-important Global Amateur Tour welcome packs. Chic merch in hand and cheese & wine flowing (because… France), the group was officially introduced to our world-class French trainers, Michel and Etienne Ismalun.

Training Begins

Day one of training kicked off with a deep-dive flatwork session - “Activate Your Seat” - led by Jaime Campbell-Ward, Michel, and Etienne. Riders worked on rhythm, balance, and connection, building the foundation for the week ahead.

Afternoons brought polework, trail rides through the French countryside, and even a little retail therapy at a local tack shop. The training program challenged riders to adapt, rotating between horses and testing their ability to connect with different equine personalities.

By day two, related lines and rollbacks were on the agenda, and the epic French facilities made every session feel cinematic.

A Morning with a Master

Midweek delivered a once-in-a-lifetime experience: a private demonstration ride and behind-the-scenes tour with French Olympian and showjumping legend Eric Navet.

Eric’s calm presence and wealth of knowledge left everyone inspired. He spoke about connection, empathy, and trust, sharing how simple polework and cavaletti exercises are the cornerstone of his program, even for the world’s top horses. Riders toured his stables, met his incredible equine partners, and gained rare insight into what it takes to sustain success at the highest levels of the sport.

Inspired by Eric, riders spent the afternoon putting theory into practice with course riding under the expert guidance of Michel and Jaime.

Beyond the Saddle

Because GAT tours aren’t just about time in the arena, riders also took part in powerful off-horse sessions, including a mindset workshop with Jaime Campbell-Ward on confidence and focus, as well as a course design seminar with Michel, who designed courses for the 2014 World Equestrian Games in Normandy.

There was time to soak up French culture as well: a magical trip to Claude Monet’s gardens in Giverny, exploring castles in Rouen, and plenty of château life in between - sunbathing, jetty-jumping, and playing the crowd-favourite “What Do You Call It?” featuring four nations, one object, and wildly different names!

Show Day & The Nations Cup

The week built towards competition day, where riders represented their countries in the GAT Nations Cup class. Congratulations to Team USA - Cari, Bethany, and Alexandra - who clinched victory with just 8 faults over two rounds! South Africa came in a close second, followed by Australia and New Zealand tied for third.

Special shoutouts went to:

Molly Casey (RSA) – Best Style Award
Tallulah Patterson (NZL) – Most Improved Rider

It was an electric day of riding, team spirit, and growth – a true reflection of the GAT ethos.

Dinard CSI5★ – The Grand Finale

To wrap up the tour, riders headed to the world-renowned Dinard International CSI5★. Set against the backdrop of the Normandy coast, this show is pure theatre - pink grandstands, electric atmosphere, and the best riders in the world.

Our group was lucky enough to enjoy a meet-and-greet with Canadian team rider Kyle Timm, plus the unforgettable chance to walk the legendary Rolex Grand Prix track. Because let’s be honest - there’s no better classroom than standing where greatness happens.

Evenings were spent in the coastal gem of Saint-Malo, wandering cobblestone streets, soaking in ocean breezes, and enjoying the perfect French send-off.

Gratitude & Looking Ahead

We owe a huge merci to Forestier Sellier (Voltaire Group) for their generous sponsorship. Our riders were so lucky to ride in their beautifully crafted saddles – gear that elevates the experience for both horse and rider. (Let’s face it, everything feels better when your “derrière” is in a Forestier!

GAT France 2025 was about so much more than ribbons or rankings. It was about connection – with horses, with people, and with the experience itself. From the first cheese platter at the château to the last cheer in Dinard, this was a week of growth, learning, and memories that will last a lifetime.