Anyone for Mushrooms?

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From Tremont in France, we headed to Saumur where I wanted to go to the Cadre Noir or French National Riding School. We often had great difficulty finding our way through some of the towns as the roads were so narrow and convoluted. Parking was often a problem too as we took up more than a full bay. Eventually we found the School but were too late to join the morning tour. Public performances had ceased for the summer but we were able to walk through the stable blocks, tack room and indoor arena, the largest of which is 85 metres by 35 metres and holds 1,800 spectators. While we were there we were lucky enough to witness a rehearsal by the French Musique Militaire as they practised for a concert that night. With what looked like three massed bands, the sound from these consummate professionals had the hair standing up on the back of our necks. The riding school has been in operation since 1815 when founded by King Louis XVIII to train cavalry troops. In 1972, it became a major training centre for sports horses of various persuasions such as eventing, show-jumping and dressage. The national vaulting team also has its quarters there. A core group of these horses give public performances in classical dressage and 'airs above the ground'. It was a shame there were no performances on at the time. There are 400 horses, 40 instructors and 150 pupils. The horses are mostly Selle Français and Anglo Arabs, both typical French breeds. The horses produce some 6,000 tons of manure annually, most of which is sold to mushroom producers. This fact didn't impact on our mushroom consumption.