On the age of 45, French showjumper Julien Epaillard is within the type of his life, making headlines virtually weekly. He’s risen to quantity three on this planet rankings, and he made his championship debut within the worlds at Herning, Denmark, this yr, main individually by the early phases of the competitors along with his good however quirky mare Caracole De La Roque.
In October, Julien racked up an unbelievable sequence of seven straight worldwide wins, topping each class he entered at each the CSI4* at St Lo and CSI5* Lyon reveals, the place his victories included the World Cup-grand prix double.
His success within the World Cup qualifier on the IFEMA Madrid Horse Week (27 November) was his second of the season and marked an astounding seventy fifth worldwide win of 2022.
The Frenchman attributes a lot of this present purple patch to 2 “extraordinary” horses, the 10-year-old Zandor Z mare Caracole De La Roque and the yr youthful Donatello D’Auge (Jarnac x Hi there Pierville)
“The mare gained numerous expertise on the World Championships and is changing into an increasing number of aggressive and the gelding is barely 9 however he’s additionally profitable so much as a result of he has an unbelievable high quality,” says Julien, who would like to be topped the world primary. “However to realize that you simply want numerous grand prix horses and now I solely have two with which to leap five-star competitions.
“I’ve to plan properly, adapt to what every horse wants, take into consideration what’s finest for them and never concerning the rating, that’s why I made a decision to not go to Verona and Stuttgart [World Cup legs]. The world primary, Henrik von Eckerman, has gained numerous factors in championships. I win numerous lessons however in championships I haven’t accomplished something to this point. I’ve the Olympic Video games in Paris rather more on my thoughts than being the world primary.”
The astute horseman provides: “I attempt to take heed to my horses. I’ve been knowledgeable rider since I used to be 16 years previous, now I’m 45 and have rather more expertise. I’ve made many errors, however I’ve discovered from them and once I make one, I attempt to appropriate it.”
Julien Epaillard: “Caracole is, no doubt, the most effective I’ve ridden in my life”
Julien’s World Championship associate Caracole De La Roque got here from the Hecart household in September final yr.
“Michel advised me that she was extraordinary however that we needed to begin virtually from scratch as a result of she had virtually no expertise as a result of pandemic,” reveals Julien.
“She began doing 1.30m lessons and ended up doing the World Championship and profitable grands prix. We knew she had monumental potential but additionally numerous blood and we needed to train her to make use of that power in a optimistic manner. Not towards the rider however with him. It was troublesome in that sense, however now she is with me, possibly typically the management is just not good however she makes up for it together with her high quality, her power and her genius. She is, no doubt, the most effective horses I’ve ever ridden in my life.”
Julien is aiming his home-bred Donatello for subsequent yr’s European showjumping championships in Italy, so might the Olympics be the following step in his promising profession?
“To compete in Paris with a horse I’ve bred can be unbelievable,” says Julien. “To compete within the Olympic Video games is a dream for me and I hope it doesn’t keep only a dream.”
Epaillard’s attention-grabbing coaching regime
Julien Epaillard explains he does numerous leaping at residence, however solely over small fences.
“3 times per week I do 18 jumps of not more than 1m, then three minutes of stroll, then I do one other 18,” he reveals. “It’s dressage work however with obstacles wherein I search for leisure, management, resistance and that the horses don’t power, however perceive me. I consider that the muscle groups work in a different way once you leap than once you don’t leap.
“When I’ve a horse that has been out of competitors for some time, then I leap much less however a bit of larger. I additionally like to leap the horses in small lessons now and again. I feel it’s good for them to know that not each time they’re going to enter a contest area they’re going to make huge efforts. Leaping with out stress can also be essential.”
Julien has constructed a world fame as one of many quickest riders on this planet, one thing he attributes to his horses having full belief in him.
“If you will take a threat with a horse, he should be satisfied that you’re not going to make a mistake,” says Julien. “It takes a very long time to achieve a horse’s belief however you’ll be able to lose it in a second. To go quick, the horse should belief you and it’s essential to belief him.”
You’ll be able to see Julien Epaillard in motion at CHI Geneva (7-11 December) adopted by the London Worldwide Horse Present (14-19 December), the place he brings Vitalhorse Ebbadya Hero, Missy VH Zwartepannenhof and Chana De Valeme.
With because of Oxer Sport/IFEMA Madrid Horse Week
You may additionally take pleasure in…
Credit score: Peter Nixon
Credit score: Longines International Champions Tour
Credit score: Future
Horse & Hound journal, out each Thursday, is filled with all the newest information and experiences, in addition to interviews, specials, nostalgia, vet and coaching recommendation. Discover how one can take pleasure in the journal delivered to your door each week, plus choices to improve your subscription to entry our on-line service that brings you breaking information and experiences in addition to different advantages.