For two years it was quite difficult for you with the disappointment of Lord of Theizé , your former top horse, being plagued with injury. Can you tell us about that time ?
What happened to me is part of the life of every rider. Today to compete at the highest level, we need very good horses but above all, horses that are ready for the highest level. Indeed, in addition to the necessity to be faultless in 4 or 5 * shows, we now also need to have quick horses to get good results. In addition, the system that we know today asks us to have a strong string of horses to stay in the world's best. So I'm trying to return to the best competition with two nine year old horses here (in Bourg-en-Bresse) and then a few young horses at home.
So you have two nine year olds that you have produced for a few years now : Silver Deux de Virton * HDC ( Kashmir van Schuttershof / Heartbreaker) and Serise du Bidou (Gin Tonic Star / Fusain du Defey). Can you tell us more about them ?
Serise competes regularly at 145-150 cm. At Fontainebleau, she was faultless in the 2* Grand Prix and in the qualifying class. As for Silver, he has a lot of potential to jump at the highest level, but he is very hot and even electric. He is on a good path and is always improving and he's only nine so he has plenty of time. Sometimes I feel like he acts like an eight year old horse because he had a bit of a delay to his training .Additionally, Silver has great temperament and blood, which is good for the next level of difficulty. Bourg-en-Bresse is his first 4* Grand Prix (this interview was conducted before the Grand Prix) and I hope to compete in one or two 5* shows this summer.
A few years ago the riders and owners at Jump Five announced a collaboration to which you belong. However, you remained in your stables and have different owners. Can you tell us a bit more about this partnership?
I have many horses in my stables with about ten different owners and a few of my clients come up to train with their own horses.
Concerning Jump Five, I preferred to stay home. I have a property in which I have invested in for about ten years now with owners who have been loyal to me all this time. In addition, I have my family with me and I feel very well in my stables. I organize courses in winter, whether in the facilities of Haras des Coudrettes or in mine. The advantage for customers at home is the fact that I can make them work regularly with me. The configuration which is today developed on the grounds at the big shows also allows me to take them and coach at the same time . It also allows them to ride on beautiful courses and watch the best riders to gain experience . It is a system that I find very well done as it allows us to make it in our sport while allowing us to earn our living.
Now that your horses have matured, what are your future goals with them?
The objective is that Silver Deux de Virton * HDC and Serise du Bidou continue to progress. In theory, I should be able to participate in two CSI 5 * this summer, Chantilly and Dinard in July, which is a primary objective with these two horses. The goal now is to repeat the good performance I could achieve, especially with Silver deux de Virton * HDC. The horse has made a very good start by being clear in four of the five Grand Prix's in which he participated.
Lord de Theizé brought you so much success in recent years but you suffered a major setback in Aachen in 2013. What is he like now?
Lord de Theizé is well. I go about once a month to competitions but I do not want to ask too much of him. I try to find him courses that suit him (that is to say, quite large) and he enjoys, classes around 145-150 cm suit him the most. The goal is that he keeps a very good moral, which is the case. When he leaves for competition, he is always very happy to get in the truck and go. The thing is to not stop at once. Horses are like us, if I were to stop competing tomorrow, I think I would turn around (laughs.)
Finally if you could ride any top horse in the world, who would it be?
One is not enough, I need a truck (laughs) Seriously, I think it would be Quickly de Kreisker. It is one of those horses that is very intelligent and has the potential to jump the biggest courses. It's the kind of horse that has great execution, very strong and quick. It's the epitome of modern horse today and is one of the best horses in the world.