About
A family,a farm, forty years
Founded in 1987 by Hélène Duroc, Orvaine is still family-owned and still breeds only a handful of foals each year.
Our story
It began with two mares nobody else wanted and an empty farm with a leaking barn. Forty years later, their descendants jump on three continents, and the barn no longer leaks.
Heritage
Forty years
1987
Two mares, one farm
Hélène Duroc buys the farm in the Pays d'Auge with two foundation mares.
1998
First international horse
A homebred gelding jumps his first Nations Cup.
2015
Valerian arrives
The black three-year-old who would become our foundation stallion.
2021
Elite status
Valerian is awarded elite stallion status for his offspring.
2027
Forty years
A new generation of the family joins the stud.
The farm
Limestone, lime trees
and old pasture
Two hundred acres of Normandy grass, a restored stone stable yard and an indoor arena where every young horse learns its trade.
The people
Who you
will meet
A small team who know every horse by name, and most of their grandmothers.
Hélène Duroc
Founder
Arthur Lenoir
Stud manager
Camille Varenne
Head rider
Inès Morel
Sales & clients
40
Years of breeding
320+
Foals bred
3
Approved stallions
27
International horses
Kind words
“Every foal we have bred by Valerian has his mind. That is worth more than any pedigree on paper.”
Visit the stud
Come and meet
the horses
Viewings, stallion presentations and breeding consultations are by appointment, all year round.
