[Cardhu]

Training arena in the hippodrome of Maisons-Laffitte, Yvelines, France

The hippodrome of Maisons-Laffitte, near Paris, boasts one of the largest equestrian training centers in France, with tracks and stables that accommodate close to 800 horses. In the training arenas-shown here is the Adam arena-the grooms exercise the young horses and prepare them for jumping obstacles before allowing them to run the practice rink and racetracks.

The hippodrome of Maisons-Laffitte hosts more than 250 races each year, featuring a total of close to 3,000 contestants. Horse races account for a considerable portion of the gambling industry: more than $100 billion is bet on racehorses throughout the world each year; nearly half that sum, $44 billion, is placed by the Japanese.

[yorkie]

The landscaping is quite interesting.......

[derllak]

Awesome pic, Cardy!