Olivia Saelens, a breeder and former eventing rider, created the Haras des Etincelles (Sparks Stud) in Le Mesnil-Simon in the heart of the Pays d'Auge during the summer of 2015. The 99 acres (40 ha) of her La Chaule estate, of which she transformed the former stables into studs, are neighbors with the Aga Khan Studs as well as the studs of Monceaux, Lieu des Champs, Hoguenet, and Fergand. The horses are mostly raised in the open air except in very cold or hot weather.