“I DON’T know what it is about this mare, but she makes me cry every single time.
“She has unbelievable trainability and scope – she can put her legs wherever she wants. But she always tries so hard and when you have that feeling you can’t ask for more.
“Her natural paces actually are very normal: she has a nice walk, a good trot and a nice canter. But nothing that makes you think, ‘Wow’. But she is just so brave and willing, and that’s what makes her so special.
“Freestyle had a lot of pressure on her early on [in her career], and she would get nervous inwardly, which people couldn’t see. I kept having to give her confidence. But having this extra year [before the Olympics] has been fantastic in the sense that I have been able to train her, school her at training shows and get her out without pressure. I’ve been able to let her make mistakes and then correct her within them and she has really benefited. Now, nothing fazes her and she can go in the ring and deliver.
“I think people can see why we call her Mrs Valegro.”
Denne historien er fra July 01, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
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Denne historien er fra July 01, 2021-utgaven av Horse & Hound.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
'Sorry, but I wasn't feeling it'
Fresh from the opening meet, Tessa Waugh hasn't quite yet been bitten by the hunting bug. Without the crisp autumnal air and cheek-pinching cold she hoped for, it's a sluggish start
New pair pull off a win
A former European Championships pony is on form with his new rider, while elsewhere former showjumpers and eventers take ribbons
Lording it over the rest
Horses who have returned from injury, a second generation homebred and a long format specialist score on the final weekend of the British season
Smith hits flying form
A \"her way or no way\" mare helps Zoe Smith to an impressive ribbon haul and a rider beats his own boss to the top spot
Jankorado hits the jackpot
Paul Sims is triumphant despite his interrupted jump-off preparation and a borrowed horse comes up trumps
Peanut
From \"dangerous, scary\" to hedge-hopping brilliance, hunting has been the making of this unstable but very lovable equine character
She's a corker
Communication, says long-standing and highly respected Belvoir master Lady Sarah McCorquodale, is the key to all, as Catherine Austen discovers
Access all areas Cavalier Centre
The Cavalier Centre is a fully accessible, state-of-the-art equestrian centre designed to improve lives through horse-based activities. Ellie May Forrester pays a visit
'Use it or lose it'
Not everyone wants to reach for the pipe and slippers at a certain age. Becky Murray speaks to some veteran horse-and-rider combos for their secrets of human and equine longevity
A new way forward
Worm control in horses is vital, but established methods will not remain effective for much longer. Tim Mair FRCVS explains why and how we need to change
