A team story
Thanks to its in-depth knowledge of the equine environment, competition, breeding, veterinary care and human care,Écurie des Charmettes offers the best possible support and training conditions for show horses and their riders.
Patrick Blethon is originally from Saône et Loire, a true “breeding country and shares his passion between Paris and Vichy. He is now Executive Chairman of one of the world’s leading water management groups, having worked for over 20 years between Moscow, New York and Singapore. Firmly rooted in the heart of the Vichy basin, he decided to relaunch the family stable at Les Charmettes.
“I was born with horses close to all the challenges of horse medicine. It’s my heritage, handed down by my father Joseph Blethon, a veterinarian specializing in show horses who worked for many years for the Fédération Équestre Internationale. I was a show-jumping rider until 2007, returning to competition in 2022, and have always been involved in the equine industry and breeding. Thanks to the support of my family and trusted friends, both trainers and riders, with whom we share the same essential values of animal welfare, today I have taken over and developed the family stable, also using my own professional experience, acquired throughout the world. After structuring the company and our range of services, we now put our expertise at the service of those wishing to buy and/or train exceptional horses. A carefully thought-out takeover with only one driving force: a passion for horses!”
Joseph Blethon is a veterinary surgeon who has specialized in the pathology of sport horses for 40 years. Professor at the Faculty of Cluj Napoca, Romania, he is also a former FEI veterinarian and SHF member. He built the Écurie des Charmettes around his long experience in French and international equine medicine.
A love of competition and horses, which he instilled in his son Patrick, who now runs the stable and is at the heart of a beautiful transmission. His main mission is to ensure animal welfare: feed, living conditions, monitoring of the horses’ work programs in coordination with the riders and the manager.
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The sport horse is an athlete, who must be respected and treated as such.
The evolution of show jumping and the performance expectations of horse owners mean that we have to be even more rigorous in the way we look after our animals, so that they feel at ease in their daily work and in competition. ”
Riders who develop performance for the long term
Riders
3 professional show jumpers and breeders lend their expertise to the performance of the horses at Écurie des Charmettes. We are constantly exchanging ideas, based on collective intelligence and mutual trust, to achieve the best possible results. Attention to detail in the preparation and psychological and nutritional balance of the horses is our priority. We advocate gentle methods where sport is only the result of a strong, trusting relationship between horse and rider, sharing the desire to work together.
Our professional riders develop and enhance the potential of our horses, thanks to personalized programs that are regularly redefined and adapted to the needs of each of these top athletes. Our team’s many years of experience enable us to provide structured support for the health, development and happiness of both animals and riders.
Émilie Laporteof Écuries de La Vendée in Riom (63), is a national and international competition rider. She has an impressive track record, with several runner-up finishes in the French hunter championship and a 7th place at Lanaken in 2007. Ranked in the Pro riders’ championship, she has over €300,000 in earnings to date. Émilie also develops many young horses, culminating in a Vice-Champion title for 3-year-olds in 2023 at Equita Lyon. With a DESJEPS diploma in horse riding, she is also an experienced instructor.
“Together with my parents Françoise and Laurent Laporte, we have built an exceptional site where our horses can flourish between appropriate paddocks and grounds to develop our horses’ skills. The animal’s well-being is our priority, because it’s only through this philosophy that we can get the best out of the animal and make it perform well with its riders. We work in total confidence with Patrick Blethon, who started out with my father in the 80s and launched the Charmettes stable in 2023.
Fabrice Graneroowner of Ecuries de la Motte in Effiat (63), is a national and international show jumping rider. His long experience of top-level competition has led to numerous victories and awards: vice-champion of France Pro 2, champion of France for teachers and bronze medallist in 2021. He also holds a federal coaching diploma.
“Our priority is to see our horses grow and evolve serenely. We like to tame them so that they develop with a good mindset. My wife, a doctor with a passion for animal welfare, and myself, provide a very high level of care for our horses, including control of the feed circuit and production of part of our own feed and fodder. Quality of life for our horses and the way we work with themare our trademark. These athletes will be
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This makes them easy partners for their future riders. Patrick Blethon and I have shared this philosophy for over thirty years, when we were just starting out in competition together.
Élodie and Olivier Vallet are the owners of Écuries Hippos in Ebreuil (03). National competition riders and “young horse” specialists, they took part in the Fontainebleau young horse championships in 2023. Olivier worked for a long time in Michel Robert’s stables. They are both instructors and pass on their passion for teaching riding.
“Taking the time to understand the horse will enable us to help him pass many milestones on the road to becoming a future athlete. The horse doesn’t have to be afraid of the effort, he has to learn to love his work, learn to articulate himself serenely at the obstacle. We need to be patient so that future riders can feel at ease with their animal.