French Horse-riders gallop through Paris against tax hike

In a country famous for strikes, a protester can come in many forms. On Sunday, it was horses. Thousands of horse-riders from across France marched in the streets of Paris, with horses and ponies in tow, to say “nay” to a proposed tax hike from seven per cent to 20 slated to start on 1 January.

Horse-riders protest tax hike in Paris, November 24, 2013 Rosie Collyer

The tax could lead to the closure of 2,000 of the 7,000 equestrian centres and 6,000 job losses, plus result in the slaughter of 80,000 horses, according to equestrian associations.

The protesters – on foot, or horseback – left from Place d’Italie in southern Paris to the Bastille, and onwards to Nation at around 1pm.

The collective “Riding in Danger” helped organise the march with support from the National Federation of Farmers' Unions (FNSEA).

The move comes after increased pressure from the European Commission and the European Court of Justice to bring France into line with EU regulations on the sport.

Horseback riding is the third most popular sport in France.