Grand Prix de Plumergat, this weekend
Has the recovery finally sounded for the riders?
There was a little delay in the recovery since we usually resume in March. But there, it seems to want to start again normally. At least for professionals. For the amateurs, it will be necessary to wait a little longer.
Between the health crisis and rhinopneumonia, you weren’t spared the setbacks?
Everything fell at the same time and indeed, it was not very easy to manage. Fortunately, there were no rhino cases in our area. There were just some in Ille-et-Vilaine, only in a stable. But there, it seems to want to restart normally: we have competition programs every weekend. This is real good news. Last year, we had to wait much later in the season. I believe it was in June. Everything was really complicated and everything was condensed. There, we are only in April.
What was the most complex?
It was mostly for young horses. Usually they have a contest every other week in the year. And there they had them almost every week. You had to be careful.
This new season starts this weekend in Plumergat, how did you prepare?
I was quite optimistic so the horses were ready for a recovery in March. But we were waiting for a competition program. And there, it starts with fifteen days, three weeks late. But it is okay. This week, we already had the “young horses” competition which went really well for us. It’s encouraging. The “old horses” hardly ever stopped. They are maintained, they do not skip the winter or very little. And that was where it was a bit complicated, we didn’t really know when to restart them, over the obstacle. Not knowing when exactly it was going to resume. On the other hand, the young horses worked normally. As if it was going to restart in March. Usually for young horses, there are training competitions that are organized. Especially for the four-year-olds who have never competed, they have to learn their trade. And that, we could not organize this winter. I managed to go outside once and it’s not the same when you rent facilities and you can only go one by one. There is no music, it’s not the same atmosphere at all.
What are your expectations, your goals for this weekend’s competition?
It is the restarting. It is true that we will try to position ourselves to win the events but it is the first competition of the year, therefore, it is a restart with two horses. We will settle down. I have three horses per event at Plumergat. The maximum we can commit. I have a lot of “old” horses to ride this year: I have ten in all. They are horses between 7 years old and the oldest is 20 years old. The latter will enter into competition without delay. It’s quite exceptional and he’s in great shape. I’m pretty confident about the new season.
What is the state of form of the rider and the horses?
I feel good. I had pretty much all of these horses last year. On the first competition, we see if everything is fine. But I don’t have too many doubts about these horses, I know them very well. So if it’s the recovery, we will still try to win (smiles).
The measures put in place for this first competition of the season are binding but is it still necessary?
It depends a bit. I don’t have a stall, my horses stay in the truck. But for others, it is necessary to take their temperature in the morning and evening because of rhinopneumonia. Otherwise, it is compulsory to wear a mask during reconnaissance because we are on the track a lot. And it’s not open to the public.
How is the calendar organized from now on?
Next weekend, there will be the “Dinard” for old horses and to follow Lamballe for young people.
You are a rider but also a stable owner in Languidic, how is it going?
I have a lot of work. I have a lot of amateur clients who are therefore waiting for competitions so we have a lot of work to prepare them. And if not, we train normally.
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