Lou Cabanoun Grass Field – Canine Sport and Multi-Discipline Training in Provence

It all started…

The story of the grass field

After the sand arena the sand arena, the idea of the grass field came naturally.
Some clubs or professionals wanted to organise competitions on two fields, double qualifiers, or more complex events.
With just one field, it wasn’t possible.
And since I love a good technical challenge… I chose grass.

But not just any grass.

I wanted a field that was stable, solid, and safe, but also autonomous, like the sand arena.
I had to find the right grass : I chose a special sports turf, used in horseball, resistant to tearing.
For irrigation, I went big: an underground system worthy of a Ligue 1 stadium.
Each sprinkler is built into a block of turf and completely invisible once closed. No risk of injury, neither for the dog nor the human.
Same goal as always: zero compromise on quality.

And since I like to give myself room to work, I went big here too : 50 × 50 meters, a field large enough to fit up to three competition zones at once, or to welcome new disciplines like frisbee.

I also wanted dogs to be able to train on different surfaces, and for everyone to have the choice:
sand or grass, depending on the discipline, personal preference, or upcoming competitions.

The Build

It all began in late November 2022, with layout planning, marking, and most importantly… earthworks.
We had to level out a major natural slope, then reshape the field with a double 1% gradient.
This time ? 700 dumper trips. Yes, again.
We also spent hours hand-picking rocks, a painful but essential step.

By October 2023, the irrigation system was completed, and seeding began right after.
Little by little, the field took shape.

Today

The grass field is one of a kind :
sports-grade turf, invisible automatic irrigation, a robotic mower that runs daily…
Lighting is already installed on half the field, and the goal is to fully equip it, always using professional-grade spotlights.

It’s fully fenced, with practical access points, but most importantly, it’s ready for year-round use.

A versatile field, still evolving

Today, the field is mainly used for:

• setting up handling workshops
• jump technique training (with bumps, targets, mats, etc.)
• and other dog sports: frisbee, hoopers, obedience, dog dance, nosework…

There isn’t a second full set of obstacles yet, but that’s the goal to eventually host full-scale dual competitions.

Each field operates independently:
there are no shared bookings on the same field, but you can rent both the sand and grass fields at the same time, greatly increasing event capacity.

Since 2023, the grass field has already hosted:

• 5 competitions
• 5 workshops
• and several combined events (competition + workshop, dual instructors, etc.)

What’s next?

For now, this field is a valuable addition, but I want it to stand on its own.
It opens the space to new disciplines, new audiences, and new formats.

And above all, as always here : it will keep evolving.