The Academy of Equestrian Arts, founded by Bartabas in 2003, is now located in the Grande Ecurie du Roi, which was built in 1678-1682 from plans by J. Hardouin-Mansart.
The buildings with their sculpted facades surrounding the horseshoe-shaped courtyard are truly a temple to the horse. They once held the king's saddle horses and the riding school where pages were trained. These were young people from the provincial nobility who came to receive the necessary training to become officers in the royal armies. But along with learning the profession of arms, they learned how to be perfect gentlemen: horse-riding, fencing, dance, music, drawing, etc.
All arts which today's horsemen must acquire to become equestrian performers. New: the public is invited into the buildings remodeled by the architect Patrick Bouchain to watch the daily workouts and performances given at the riding school, and to visit the magnificent galleries where horses, once again, are in their glory.
This performance and training site welcomes horsemen from around the world who come to work under Bartabas' patient, passionate leadership.
See: www.versailles-tourisme.com -