Keystone-SDA
The Saiglégier’s competition-unit ended on Sunday under the sun with the folk procession and horse racing. This 120th edition brought together between 45,000 and 50,000 visitors. Several speakers have said it feared the measures provided for by the Confederation.
(Keystone-ATS) This is certainly not a record edition, but the 2025 vintage of the National Horse-Holy Horse market has given its organizers full satisfaction. Between 45,000 and 50,000 people attended the demonstration between Friday and Sunday, according to the president of the organizing committee Vincent Wermeille. Attendance has therefore been relatively similar to previous years.
Sunday started under a radiant sun with the impressive parade of 400 equines, under the watchful eye of the spectators. The great folk procession then took place in the early afternoon with different Geneva representatives, such as the company of 1602-which maintains the memory of the climbing-and the costume federation.
A dog on the track
The public was then able to vibrate in front of the spectacular country races, during which horsemen, horses and teams clashed. Peasant races and Roman tanks, exhibitions of horse and equestrian quadrilles also animated the weekend.
The demonstration went well despite “a few small current incidents,” said Vincent Wermeille at Keystone-Ats. Like the dog belonging to spectators who, during an event on Saturday, rushed on the track while a race took place there. The accident was avoided.
The canton of Geneva, guest of honor for the third time after 1987 and 2007, presented its various terroir specialties. Its strong representation has emphasized the rural side and attachment to the traditions of the Canton-Ville. “We are very happy and they too. This made it possible to strengthen our links, also from a political point of view, ”comments Vincent Wermeille.
Possible decrease in support
On Sunday at midday, during the official party, the president of the Jura Government Martial Courtet worried about the 2025 agricultural order train, which provides for a complete overhaul of the breeding order. “The project as presented would lead to a significant decrease in support for the Swiss Federation of Franches-Montagnes and the total suppression of half-blood farming aid,” he warned.
The vice-president of the National Council Pierre-André Page has increased in this direction. “It is essential that there remains a branch of production,” he said. The horse is a wealth. “He also called to keep” confidence in our ability to find solutions.
For his part, the president of the Geneva Council of State Thierry Apotho explained the links which unite his canton to that of the Jura, in particular the love of the terroir and the traditions.
For the first time since 2019, no member of the Federal Council was present. Vincent Wermeille hopes to review a representative of the national government next year, “because the competition is a national event”.
Next Berne guest
The canton of Bern will be the guest of honor at the 2026 market-competition. It is the only Swiss canton which, after 120 editions, never had this honor. With the transfer of Moutier who will put an institutional end to the Jura question, on January 1, 2026, tensions fell between the two cantons. The organizers therefore considered that the time had come to invite their neighbors.
“Bernese breeders have been present for years,” says Vincent Wermeille. Some representatives of the canton of Bern have already made the trip this year. “They rejoice,” says the president. Their presence as a guest of honor may create a few swirls in the Jura, but we are above that. »»