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The Equine Competition Cluster focuses on 3 fields of activity:

• Research and Innovation: to support research and innovations notably by helping companies find effective partners.

• Training and Employment: to adapt education and training to the needs of employers especially with the help of an “equi-resources” service dedicated to employment in the equine industry.

• Development internationally: to encourage members of the cluster to look toward the international market.

Advantages

The Lower Normandy region occupies a place of excellence in the heart of the French equine industry.  This table, as well as the national ranking of the region, illustrates the importance of Lower Normandy’s “equine economy“ in France.  
- Equine Workforce  - 92,000 (1st)
- Broodmare Workforce - 16,376 (1st)
- Employment (mainly in livestock industry, training and equestrian centers)  9 200 (1st)
- Equine Research Centers  - 6 (2nd)
- Horse Industry Training Establishments  - 13 (1st)
- Hippodromes - 31 (2nd)
- Trainers - 523 (2nd)
Horses available for training purposes - 10,165 (1st)
 
As a result of the horse industry, close to 200,000 hectares of land have been developed currently in Lower Normandy.

Members

Close to 100 members

Companies:  43
•    All companies in the cluster, with the exception of Agrial, are small- and mid-sized companies (SME).
•    10 of these SMEs are members of one group.
Research and Educational Institutions
- 20 centers including: The Graignes Association for Training and Social Action in Racing Stables  (AFASEC), Alfort National School (ENVA) with the Centre for Imagery and Research on Equine Locomotive Affectations (CIRALE), Pin National Stables, Alençon Academic Institute of Technology (IUT), Local Public Establishment for Professional Agricultural Teaching and Instruction (EPLEFPA) of Sées, Saint-Hilaire and Robillard, Vimoutiers Rural Family House (MFR), National Institute of Agricultural Research (INRA), Caen University, French Agency for Food Sanitation and Safety (AFFSA) etc.

- Close to 30 other organizations are also partners with the cluster including the Lower Normandy Regional Council, the General Council of Calvados, la Manche and Orne, the National Stud Farms, the networks of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the networks of the Chambers of Trades and Artists, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishing, the National Employment Agency (ANPE) etc.

Current R&D Project Partnerships (refer to appendix)

- 30 projects have been approved by the cluster since 2006 representing €20 million

- Close to 4.5 million euros have been invested by the French Government into these projects especially through the Single Interministerial Fund (FUI) and the National Research Agency (ANR).

International Cooperation

Current:
•    Partnership with the cluster of Lexington, Kentucky, USA (with the co-creation of a specialized masters program)
•    Veterinary Partnership with the faculty of Liège, Belgium

Future:
•    Equine regional network in Europe

Appendix: Examples of Certified R&D Projects in 2006

• More information on Filière Equine