Sault’s hippodrome turns 132 this Sunday, August 9, and the occasion carries more weight than a simple anniversary. Seven harness racing events, 80,000 euros in prize money, and a program built around families and community make this one of the region’s most anticipated summer gatherings. Gates open at 11 a.m.
The Société hippique saltésienne, led by Stéphane Chatrenet and roughly thirty volunteers, organizes the day year-round. Their work shows. Children get free pony rides and educational farm activities. A stand from the Parc Naturel du Ventoux adds context about the surrounding landscape. Raffles run throughout the afternoon, with a painting by artist Daniel Mathieu offered as the first prize in the Société hippique’s own draw.
What sets this event apart from a standard race day is the facility’s formal commitment to animal welfare and ecological stewardship. The hippodrome holds “EquuRES” certification, earned through concrete environmental practices rather than stated intentions. Rainwater collected and stored on-site irrigates the grounds, reducing pressure on municipal water supplies. The track is seeded with organic grass varieties chosen for low water consumption. A flock of sheep handles ground maintenance in place of machinery. Wooden infrastructure receives regular protection and upkeep. At the center of the racing oval, a lavender field has been replanted, serving both an aesthetic and an ecological purpose.
These are not seasonal gestures. The volunteer team works continuously across the year to raise animal welfare standards, improve conditions for spectators, and protect local biodiversity. The choices made in the off-season shape what visitors experience on race day.
By contrast, the event’s public-facing rules are straightforward and firm. Smoking is prohibited across the entire site, protecting air quality and the natural setting for everyone present. Organizers have asked attendees to carpool, a practical step toward reducing vehicle traffic and emissions on what will be a busy Sunday in the Ventoux area.
Food and drink are available throughout the day, including a local-product meal option at 25 euros. The combination of racing, children’s activities, environmental education, and community gathering reflects a deliberate choice: that public enjoyment and responsible stewardship can reinforce each other rather than compete.
Whether that model, rooted in volunteer effort and certification standards, can serve as a template for similar events elsewhere is a question the 132nd edition of this festival may help answer.
Those planning to attend can reach the organizers at 04 90 64 01 21.