It was with Grand Cru vd Rozenberg (Malito de Reve) that Belgian rider Jérome Guery made it all the way to the top. "It all started in the pony club, right by my house", he says.
Guery loves to talk about his childhood. "I was lucky to have my mom fully support my ambitions in horse riding. She paid for lessons and later, she bought me my first pony and horse. I decided to put all of my focus and time in the equestrian sport when I was eightteen. My parents stood by me as always, but I had to prove myself. If I couldn't make it in one year, they wanted me to go to college or find another job."
When he was eightteen, Guery won the Belgian title with the Juniors and worked for Haras des Hayettes. "I wasn't very interested in the highest level, I just had a passion for the sport. My horse had only just come back to work after a long recovery. It was my passion and the horses that motivated me to keep going," Guery admits. "Being able to live and breathe your passion all day long was a dream come true for me." (continues below)
The beginning of a career
With the Belgian title in his pocket, Guery slowly started to plan out his own course. "I decided to start working with well-known breeders. The first one was Luc Henry, the breeder of Hero. With Hero, I really discovered the top sport. Afterwards, I contacted breeding farm Sitte, known for Seigneur for example."
Guery's goal was simple: find the future stars right at the source. "Until this day, my philosophy works. From time to time, I buy a horse myself. A horse I truly believe in. Back in the day, I didn't have the funds I have today. So I had to focus on the younger horses. That way, I learned that being patient is a imperative skill. Fortunately, this sport allows you to be a part of it for many years", he laughs.
Top horses, but which one rose above them all?
"I have had the honor to ride several great horses, like Tic Tac du Seigneur, Mozart des Hayettes or Hugo Gesmeray. Those three really set the start of my international career. As soon as you get aboard an amazing horse like that, you instantly know. My goal is always to find the feeling, the sensation of riding an amazing horse in other young horses.
Grand Cru van de Rozenberg
"He was truly a miracle!", Guery confirms. "Grand Cru was my partner in crime in my first big championship, the Olympic games of Rio. I knew he wasn't ready to step on to the podium, but he exceded my expactions by winning a spot in the final. My ride with Grand Cru is still a motivation for me today."
"Grand Cru's departure did leave a void in my stables. I had said goodbye to Alicante shortly before Grand Cru was sold. Unfortunately, being a professional rider also means being able to say goodbye. He was always meant to be sold after the games. But every horse teaches me that the best thing in our sport is the bond with the horse.
It was with Grand Cru vd Rozenberg (Malito de Reve) that Belgian rider Jérome Guery made it all the way to the top. "It all started in the pony club, right by my house", he says.
Guery loves to talk about his childhood. "I was lucky to have my mom fully support my ambitions in horse riding. She paid for lessons and later, she bought me my first pony and horse. I decided to put all of my focus and time in the equestrian sport when I was eightteen. My parents stood by me as always, but I had to prove myself. If I couldn't make it in one year, they wanted me to go to college or find another job."
When he was eightteen, Guery won the Belgian title with the Juniors and worked for Haras des Hayettes. "I wasn't very interested in the highest level, I just had a passion for the sport. My horse had only just come back to work after a long recovery. It was my passion and the horses that motivated me to keep going," Guery admits. "Being able to live and breathe your passion all day long was a dream come true for me." (continues below)
The beginning of a career
With the Belgian title in his pocket, Guery slowly started to plan out his own course. "I decided to start working with well-known breeders. The first one was Luc Henry, the breeder of Hero. With Hero, I really discovered the top sport. Afterwards, I contacted breeding farm Sitte, known for Seigneur for example."
Guery's goal was simple: find the future stars right at the source. "Until this day, my philosophy works. From time to time, I buy a horse myself. A horse I truly believe in. Back in the day, I didn't have the funds I have today. So I had to focus on the younger horses. That way, I learned that being patient is a imperative skill. Fortunately, this sport allows you to be a part of it for many years", he laughs.
Top horses, but which one rose above them all?
"I have had the honor to ride several great horses, like Tic Tac du Seigneur, Mozart des Hayettes or Hugo Gesmeray. Those three really set the start of my international career. As soon as you get aboard an amazing horse like that, you instantly know. My goal is always to find the feeling, the sensation of riding an amazing horse in other young horses.
Grand Cru van de Rozenberg
"He was truly a miracle!", Guery confirms. "Grand Cru was my partner in crime in my first big championship, the Olympic games of Rio. I knew he wasn't ready to step on to the podium, but he exceded my expactions by winning a spot in the final. My ride with Grand Cru is still a motivation for me today."
"Grand Cru's departure did leave a void in my stables. I had said goodbye to Alicante shortly before Grand Cru was sold. Unfortunately, being a professional rider also means being able to say goodbye. He was always meant to be sold after the games. But every horse teaches me that the best thing in our sport is the bond with the horse.