INTERVIEW: Patrice Delaveau about his new prospects and Orient Express *HDC

Following the health problems of Patrice Delaveau's Orient Express *HDC, Delaveau has retired his top show jumping horse from the Olympic Games in Rio. The team of Equnews France took some time to sit back and chat with one of France's top show jumping riders. Orient Express *HDC will not be competing at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, how do you feel about that? Orient is recovering from his injuries and after a virus. It's really bad luck, we programmed a nice comeback schedule. At the CSI3* in Cagnes sur Mer he jumped like never before, winning the Grand Prix. After he qualified at the Longines Global Champions tour in Antwerp, Belgium. But then it went downhill. Orient lost some energy because of the virus. It's really a shame, we planned about one year for this event ... You can also count for over a year now on Léontine Lédimar Z *HDC, this mare looks promising. What can you tell about her? Léontine is developing perfectly, however she lacks a lot of experience. The mare is still young and 'green' for this level classes (1.50m and heigher). She learns every day. She stands were she needs to stand, don't forget she is only nine years old so far.

Recently you took the start aboard Trafalgar Kervek *HDC and Uthope de la Roque *HDC, two young horses from the Haras des Coudrettes... Uthope is an 8-year-old horse that still needs a lot of training, just like Léontine. Mainly focussing on the 1.50m-level classes. He placed already two times in an international CSI2* Grand Prix. This shows his potentials and evolution. Trafalgar is currently ridden by Delphine Perez. She rides all my younger horses of my clients Mr. and Ms. Perron Pette. The horse needs to be regain experience and trust in the 1.30 and 1.40m classes.  I cannot take him with me to the international five-star shows, this is why Delphine is developping Trafalgar. After I will take over the reins and take my time to introduce him in the bigger circuit.