FÉDÉRATION FRANCOPHONE D’ÉQUITATION ET D'ATTELAGE DE LOISIR (FFE)

ASSOCIATION RÉGIONALE DE TOURISME ÉQUESTRE DU BRABANT/BRUXELLES

www.awte.be Banque de La Poste BE21 0001 8227 3003

The Walloon Equestrian Tourism Association (AWTE),

in conjunction with FFE, ARTE Brabant/, and the Tourism Office of Villers-la-Ville

Presents

the Villers-la-Ville Equirencontre

on 9-11 August 2019 What is an Equirencontre?

The equirencontre is an annual meet of trail-riders and drivers that has been held under the aegis of AWTE around the August 15 holiday since 1973.

The sites of the previous editions are given in the following table.

YEAR PLACE YEAR PLACE YEAR PLACE 2018 Wanne 2002 Havelange 1986 Ecole de Gesves 2017 Antoing 2001 Tilly 1985 Buggenhout 2016 Herbeumont 2000 Malagne(Rochefort) 1984 Courcelles 2015 Sugny 1999 Pepinster 1983 Genk 2014 Haut- 1998 Bon Secours 1982 La Hulpe 2013 Merkplaats 1997 Etalle 1981 Heilvort (Holland) 2012 Rahier 1996 1980 Heverlee (Leuven) 2011 Hoegaarden 1995 Ciney 1979 Zandhoven 2010 Lobbes 1994 Fallais 1978 Malmédy 2009 Bocholt 1993 Fontaine_Valmont 1977 Bruxelles Hippodrome 2008 Mirwart 1992 Château Harzé 1976 Kluisbergen 2007 Maredret 1991 Prov Limbourg 1975 Bouillon 2006 1990 Lagland 1974 Tour du Hainaut 2005 Château La Calamine 1989 Dansonspenne 1973 Rosières() 2004 Chimay 1988 Abbaye d'Hélécine 2003 Mont-le-Soie 1987 Meldert

This year, the venue for the 47th edition of this annual meeting of trail-riders and drivers will be near an emblematic site: the ruins of the Cistercian abbey of Villers- la-Ville. This town, which is close to Namur and Hainaut Provinces, is surrounded by fields and woods. After a month, week, or day on the trail, travelling alone or in a group, carrying everything they need or relying on a supply team, the riders and drivers will be accommodated at Pré Pinchet, a vast meadow fitted out for camp sites and paddocks, with rustic conveniences: showers and WCs.

This is a unique opportunity to ride (or drive) over hill and dale towards a common objective to forge new friendships, discover a both historical and wine-making part of our country, and talk horses against a festive backdrop.

All riders and drivers, be they Walloon or Flemish, German or Luxembourger, French or Dutch, are welcome.

EQUIRENCONTRE 2019 will be rustic: The participants will be housed in their own tents, vans, lorries, or trailers. A few holiday accommodations in the area are still available. The Equirencontre is always a rendezvous with history. The horses' paths will mingle with those of Bernard de Clairvaux, the founder of the Abbey of Villers in the Thyle Valley in 1146.

In the mood for adventure? Look no farther – it's here with us!

Venue: Pré Pinchet, 12 rue Notre-Dame, 6320 Villers-la-Ville

What do we offer on site?

Friday, as of 2 pm.:

The travellers will be welcomed by FFE President Anne Caufriez, FFE Treasurer Brigitte Bambust, the federation's founders Nicole de Jamblinne and Roland Heldenberg, and a team composed of a veterinarian, farrier, equestrian tourism guide, and an efficient group of smiling volunteers to guide the participants toward the judges for an assessment of their journeys (distance covered, condition of the horses, etc.). A welcome drink and some refreshing carrots are also on the menu.

The horses and campers will then set up their paddocks and tents in a beautiful meadow next to the main tent.

Equirencontre with added comfort: For those who wish, we have prebooked some lodges and B&Bs.

Friday evening: The traditional camp-fire. Saturday evening: Musical entertainment. Saturday: Discover the region on horseback, by carriage, or on foot. Visit the impressive ruins of the famous Cistercian abbey and the nearby vineyard. A picnic on the land will bring everyone together for lunch before returning to the main site for what will be a memorable evening.

Sunday: A series of activities and demonstrations is planned in the morning, for example, an introduction to archery on horseback, a demonstration of equine Shiatsu, learning how to read a map or use a GPS, and so on.

After the noon BBQ, the participants will head off as a group for the nearby ruins, where the Hostel Monks will be waiting for the awards ceremony, distribution of souvenirs, and, of course, a chance to taste the abbey's own beers.

Throughout the weekend: Rides, nature, meeting friends, good humour, activities, demonstrations, and some surprises!

The FFE spirit, whether on horseback...

…

… or driving a team! Agenda Wednesday, 07/08/19 Marking out paddocks and preparation of the site Thursday, 08/08/19 Parking for vans and lorries Friday, 9/08/19 10:00 Secretariat opens for business and registers participants arriving in vans/lorries. Reception of riders/drivers at the shed entrance 14:00 Veterinary and farriery checks - Arrival briefing and distribution of badges 18:00 Installation of horses and riders/drivers Welcome drink Visit of the shed containing a collection of horse-drawn carriages 19:00 Evening feed 19:30 Briefing for group leaders 20:00 Evening meal 22:00 Evening around the camp-fire 23:59 Lights out! Saturday, 10/08/19 07:30 Morning feed Breakfast and distribution of picnic lunch bags 08:00-09:00 Information about the day's ride Departure for the day's ride 10:00 Activities for non-riders, friends and family 13:00 Picnic lunch at Tangissart 18:00 End of the day's ride 19:00 Evening feed 19:30 Cocktail 20:00 Gala dinner followed by music and dancing Sunday, 11/08/19 02:00 Lights out 07:30 Morning feed 08:00–09:30 Breakfast Morning ride Miscellaneous activities 10:00-12:00 Demo and/or map-reading course Small local market 12:30-13:30 Barbecue 14:00 Departure in procession for the Abbey Awards ceremony and distribution of souvenirs to participants on horseback/in 15:00 their carriages on the abbey grounds Drinks offered by the Brasserie des Moines brewery 16:00-17:00 Clean-up and departure of participants 17:00 End of the Equirencontre Monday, 12/08/19 Site dismantlement and clean-up Awards

Prizes will be awarded to the participants according to the following criteria: a. Trophy for the longest distance A trophy will be given to reward the group or individual rider who covers the longest distance on horseback to take part in the Equirencontre. b. Trophy for the highest score: horses x km A trophy will be awarded to the group totalling the highest number of points obtained by multiplying the number of horses by the number of kilometres travelled. The kilometres covered by riders who join the group along the way will be added according to the stages travelled, provided that they reach the Equirencontre. c. Trophy for the largest group The trophy for the largest group will be awarded to the group with the largest number of horses and riders in uniform attire. d. Trophy for the best group The trophy for the best group will be awarded to the group that meets the following conditions upon arrival: a homogeneous group of riders; horses in good condition, with shoes in good condition (wear on a par with the distance covered); well-maintained tack; and orderly packs & saddle bags with the necessary materials (first-aid kit and farriery tools). The number of kilometres travelled will also be factored into this evaluation.

The panel of judges will consist of one veterinarian, one farrier, one certified equestrian tour guide, and the FFE's cartographer.

And for drivers: Trophies will be awarded to drivers according to the same criteria, provided that at least five carriages take part:

e. Trophy for the longest distance covered by carriage

f. Trophy for the best horse(s) and carriage A few words about Villers-la-Ville The municipality of Villers-la-Ville covers five former entities – Villers-la-Ville, Sart-Dames-Avelines, Marbais-Marbisous, Tilly, and Mellery – as well as a part of Gentinnes (hamlet of Haute Heuval) 30 km south of Brussels, in the southern part of Province. Besides its splendid Cistercian abbey, the village of Villers is appreciated for its natural setting, walks, and cultural and historical heritage. Over the millennia, two streams – the Thyle, which is the main tributary of the , and the Gentissart – gouged out their winding valleys in the loamy earth and blue-gray slate of the countryside. The municipality is traversed by railway line 140. There is a stop at Villers-la-Ville. The history and development of Villers-la-Ville are linked to the those of the Cistercian abbey.

The Abbey

The abbey was erected gradually, starting in 1146, by Cistercian monks from Clairvaux. It was modelled after the parent abbey in Cîteaux, France.

The abbey alternated between serious crises and periods of restoration and even became the largest landowner in Brabant at one point. During the Brabant Revolution it was looted by the routed troops of the Imperial Army. It was pillaged again in 1794, this time by the French troops. The French Republic subsequently put the grounds and buildings up for public auction in 1797. The Ottignies-Charleroi railway line, built in 1854/55, brought the abbey its first tourists. The majestic ruins attracted romantic spirits throughout the 19th century, and that still holds true today! The State, which has owned the site since 1892, undertook a major restoration and consolidation programme starting in 1893. Under the architect Charles Licot's direction, workers cleared the nave of the church and sorted the dressed stones that were lying about. The ruins were finally listed as an historical site and monument in 1972. With their 650 years of occupancy, they attest to the changing architectural styles over the centuries. The abbey was listed as a part of 's Exceptional Heritage in 1992. The entire estate has been conserved and is one of the largest archaeological complexes in . More than 160,000 visitors a year…

Today, after streams of monks, the poor, and pilgrims, the abbey continues to draw some 100,000 visitors a year who come in search of a change of scene, relaxation, or spirituality.

Sources fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villers-la-Ville_(Belgique) www.villers-la-ville.be/vie-locale/tourisme/decouvrir-villers-la-ville www.villers.be/fr www.villers.be/en

Villers-la-Vigne (the vineyards)

Abbot Laurent, twelve monks, and five lay members settled in the hilly Thyle Valley, in the marches between the County of Namur and , to found an abbey in 1146. They came from Clairvaux, the famous Cistercian abbey in Champagne. The latter's first abbot, Saint Bernard, contributed to the correlative expansion of the abbey's vineyards. The Cistercian monks of Villers always drank wine. They needed wine for mass, the refectory, pharmacy, hostelry, and receptions for high-ranking visitors, whom were served a “wine of honour”. It is very likely that, in line with the general trend of abandoning local vineyards that characterised Belgium as of the late 16th century, the abbots of Villers neglected their vineyards or stopped tending them altogether. The vineyards were thus allowed to go fallow and were gradually taken over by the forest or ploughed up for other crops. After 650 years of occupancy, the monks left their monastery in Villers in 1796. The vinters' association “Confrérie du Vignoble de l'Abbey Villers-en-Brabant” began replanting a 20-are vineyard inside the abbey walls in 1990. The vineyard is now flourishing. For more information – source: www.villers-la-vigne.be A vanishing species: Two little Skyros horses at the abbey The Villers Abbey hosts these two notable guests: Jason (8) and Norman (7). Until recently, they were coddled and cosseted on Skyros, to the delight of the island's children. Now it is the abbey staff's turn to take care of these very special horses, with singular personalities. For more information – source: www.villers.be/fr/chevaux-skyros

This EQUIRENCONTRE 2019 is the fruit of collaboration amongst the Walloon Equestrian Tourism Association (AWTE asbl), French-speaking Federation of Recreational Riding and Driving (FFE asbl), Brabant Regional Equestrian Tourism Association (ARTE-Brabant), and the Villers-la-Ville Tourist Office (Syndicat d'Initiative de Villers-la-Ville asbl).

It could not take place without the financial and logistic assistance of the CGT (Wallonia's General Commissariat for Tourism), Walloon Brabant Province, the management of the Ruins of the Abbey of Villers-la-Ville, a series of firms (DECOPLAN, MAILLEUX furniture, EQUIFIRST feeds), and many more.

Information and registration: www.equirencontre.eu or the “old-fashioned way” by filling in the paper registration form and paying a mere €135 for the whole weekend into the EQUIRENCONTRE bank account: IBAN: BE20 7512 0910 4556; BIC: AXABBE22.

Please note that we may be forced to refuse late registrants as the field (“Pré Pinchet”) is not elastic and we want to ensure enough room for everyone. Information: +32 474 94 15 86 or +32 85 751 491 With the support of the General Commissariat for Tourism (CGT)

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and the Tourism Federation of Walloon Brabant Province