© 8 Photo Agency
Meet Stefano Ferri and Grégory Morat, international Reining rider and owner of the Bo Ranch, the largest ranch in Europe dedicated to practicing and hosting international competitions in this discipline.
Bo Ranch is, above all, the story of a man and his passion, which began in 2012. At that time, Grégory Morat, now the owner of Bo Ranch, was riding motorcycles and competing in numerous Grand Prix events. A horse enthusiast, he discovered Reining the same year and quickly became passionate about the discipline: a thrill-seeker, he found a similar feeling of control and precision as in motorbike riding.
“During the Dakar, I piloted my motorcycle across the desert, navigating various obstacles. I found that same sensation of control on horseback, but it was even more breathtaking. Galloping at full speed, understanding my horse, and communicating with it to perform a perfect Sliding Stop* … that’s impressive!”
* A straight-line sliding stop. The horse arches its back, brings its hind legs under itself, and maintains forward motion with its front legs. During the stop, the horse slides in a straight line while keeping contact with the ground through its hind legs.
Convinced by the discipline, Grégory was determined to promote it in France and began construction of Bo Ranch in 2015, a Reining-specific facility, which took four years to complete.
A true success story, Bo Ranch now attracts Europe’s top riders thanks to numerous competitions held each year, making it the largest ranch in Europe dedicated to practicing and hosting international Reining competitions.
As you may have guessed, Bo Ranch is dedicated to Western riding, specifically Reining. This discipline, originating from the United States, seems very different from classical equestrian styles known in Western countries, yet it has gained tremendous popularity in Europe.
In Reining, dressage is key. Riders aim for their horse’s relaxation and calmness. To perform maneuvers, they guide their horse with one hand and the loosest possible rein contact. In competition, judges score softness, finesse, relaxed attitude, speed, and authority. Points can be awarded or penalties applied accordingly.
Recognized for its high-level dressage technique and beautiful maneuvers, Reining is the only Western discipline acknowledged by the FEI, the International Equestrian Federation, since 2000 and included in the World Equestrian Games in 2002.
© Zuzanna Lupa Photography
In Reining, the most important aspect is the connection between horse and rider. The horse must fully trust the rider to perform maneuvers with utmost precision. Training must be flawless, as any mistake can compromise this trust. This critical aspect was understood by Grégory from the start, and he dedicated most of his time at Bo Ranch to it.
Stefano Ferri, an international Reining rider, is known for his gentle training methods and ability to bring a horse to the highest level. Grégory, a great admirer of his work, invited Stefano to join the Bo Ranch adventure. This collaboration naturally complemented their focus on training and horse development.
For several years now, Grégory and Stefano have worked in harmony to train young horses. Each in their respective areas, they guide horses through competitions and eventually bring them to top-level performance.
© Zuzanna Lupa Photography
Beyond Bo Ranch’s incredible facilities, the quality of training, and the devotion of Grégory and Stefano to their horses, what impressed us most was the level of care given to the horses. A true testament to the respect Grégory, Stefano, and the entire Bo Ranch team have for their horses, who are treated with the utmost attention.
If you want to learn more about Reining or discover the unique Bo Ranch site, we invite you to visit bo-ranch.com.
Aware of the risks, the public is paying increasing attention to rider safety, with helmets worn almost universally and the growing use of protective gear such as body protectors or airbags.
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