Visiting Versailles ahead of Paris 2024...

Image by Door Danny Fotografie

"When I received the invitation to visit the Royal Stables of Versailles, I didn't know what to expect. But I approached it with an open mind, excited to witness the work they do with horses and immerse myself in their world. As an equestrian preparing for the upcoming Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, visiting this historic place held special significance for me.

I can now say that the experience touched my heart deeply and left a lasting impression on me for the opportunity it provided to explore the deep connection between humans and horses.

During my visit, I had the privilege of engaging in a wonderful conversation with Laure Guillaume, one of the experienced riders and coaches at the stable. She has been working with horses there for over two decades, and her wisdom and passion for horses came through strongly in our discussions.

We spoke at length about the philosophy of the Royal Stables, which emphasises that horses are not just a tool with which we pursue our goal of winning medals or gaining status. Horses are also teachers, who we must seek to learn from and establish a harmonious partnership built on mutual respect. In order to fully understand a horse, they always try to see things from the horses’ perspective. The people working at the stables in Versailles revere horses and treat them with a reverence bordering on the divine.

My equestrian career started when I was a little girl who was fascinated by horses, and my favourite past time is still just spending time with Demmi. He is my bestie! But I have always approached my sport quite logically and I apply many scientific insights and techniques when caring for and training my horses.  These techniques include daily training with the heart rate monitor and extensive acclimatisation when preparing for Events like the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. My visit to France made me more aware of the 'softer' side of our sport; that of deeply feeling the higher connection with the special beings that are horses.

Leaving Versailles, I felt a renewed sense of inspiration and motivation to continue my journey towards the Paralympic Games in Paris. I realised that horses teach us not only about riding and horsemanship but also about life itself. They teach us about letting go of the unimportant things, to focus on what really matters and about having faith in the process and in one another. These lessons go beyond the arena and resonate with broader aspects of our lives.

Since my trip to Versailles, I’ve had an opportunity to reflect more on the Royal Stables approach to riding. The people working in Versailles approach equestrian as an art rather than merely a sport. The riders follow a unique training programme that involves activities such as fencing, dancing, and singing to enhance their awareness and control of their bodies. Watching them engage in their training, I recognised the value of incorporating such holistic approaches to improve my own riding.

Back home, I have started adding breath work to my training routine, and I believe that this can really enhance my connection with my horse and improve my overall performance.

Gratitude became a focal point for me after my visit to Versailles. I thought I already was very aware of the small moments of happiness I so often experience with my horse Demmi. But I have since become more conscious of expressing gratitude, not only for the successful aspects of our training but also for the lessons learned from the challenges and setbacks, or for simply watching my horses having fun in the field. I am grateful for the privilege of working with horses, particularly Demmi, every day and for the joy they bring to my life.

Another key takeaway from my time in Versailles was the significance of history. The location of the Royal Stables holds centuries of equestrian tradition and reverence. The decision to bring equestrian sport back to Versailles for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games reinforces the sacredness associated with the place. It made me feel connected to the lineage of riders who had come before me and has motivated me to work harder as we head into next year.

As I reflect on my journey and the lessons learned, I realise the complexity of horse welfare and the decisions we make as riders. It's challenging to strike a balance between fulfilling our ambitions and ensuring the wellbeing of our horses. I've come to understand that making mistakes is inevitable, but what truly matters is acknowledging them and striving to learn and improve. It's essential to question our actions, seek continuous growth, and focus on our own decisions. As a sport we are unique because we team up with horses that are amazing creatures.  And inevitably, that comes with the fact that winning is not the most important thing for us equestrians. First priority, at least for me, is the well-being of my horse and the bond we have together. Because no medal can compete with that!"