Sébastien: My groom, haha. No, overall, it's always the same equipment for each horse: that is to say, when I have equipment that works on one horse, I absolutely want the same for the next competition.
So, it's certain that my groom is very useful because she knows what I like and what I want.
And for me, I would say the Hit-Air vest, it's easy to say because I would never go without it for cross-country: so, it's systematically brought along.
Hit-Air: How would you describe Elipso de la Vigne?
Sébastien: In my current high-level career, I think he is the most complete horse I have and have had: he dresses very well, jumps very well, and cross-country rides very well. For me, he has all the elements of a top-level horse for major events. I compare him to Dwayne Johnson, the big gentle giant; he’s a hulk with a truly good heart. He always wants to do well, he gives his all, and it's quite pleasant. It's worth noting that at home, he’s more of a homebody, rather lazy in his stall, loving cuddles and carrots. And he reveals himself as a competitor once he's out on the courses.
Hit-Air: Your tips for reducing your horse's stress?
Sébastien: I wouldn't call it a tip, but rather trying to bring the routine we have at home with the horse to competition, to make it as little traumatic as possible for the horse and as easy to digest, so that they feel like they are competing as if they were at home.
Hit-Air: How do you maximize your horse's recovery?
Sébastien: My horses' recovery is quite simple. When we come back from a competition, they go to the paddock: they'll spend between one and two weeks there depending on the event they competed in and the level of the class.
They'll only be in the paddock. Alongside that, lots of care, massages, clay, tecartherapy: we give them a lot of supportive care. But above all, putting them back on grass, in their natural state, so they can recover, that it's a real reward for them to go to the grass, and never for more than 3 weeks, because we know that muscle loss occurs around that time.
The idea is really just to let them recover, breathe, and absorb what they've taken physically and mentally. And afterwards, getting back to work is easier, I find.
Hit-Air: Memorable moments you enjoy in competition (besides winning)?
Sébastien: Aside from winning, the moment that's quite powerful is the adrenaline rush when heading towards the cross-country starting box.
And the event that marked me the most, in that regard, is the Burghley 5-star.
I still remember and still feel that knot in my stomach when I head to the starting box: I'd say that's the strongest moment.
Hit-Air: What unexpected event has marked your career?
Sébastien: I'd say the biggest unexpected event in my career was a fall that happened in 2017 at the Bramham 4-star long in England.
I had a bad fall on the cross-country with my mare; we fell in the coffin, and the result was quite significant as I dislocated my right hip. I spent a week under observation and in the hospital in England. I underwent two surgeries, and afterwards, the doctors weren't overly optimistic and didn't think I would return to sports.
So, it was quite difficult psychologically. But ultimately, through mental and physical work, meaning rehabilitation with the physiotherapists, we realized that I would recover very, very well.
The fall happened in June, and I started physical rehabilitation in August, and I was back on horseback on September 1st. And competing, I'd say, three weeks later. And back at the 4-star level two and a half months later, I'd say late October, early November.
Hit-Air: How did you bounce back?
Sébastien: It really changed my way of looking at things, especially on the cross-country. Before, I absolutely wanted to be maximum at all costs. Today, I ride differently: I think it's smarter to say that if it's feasible and achievable, we'll be on time, and if not, we won't put ourselves in danger to be.
I truly believe that this accident, plus having my daughter now, has made me mature in my riding, and I ride my cross-country courses more calmly.
Hit-Air: Two tips for a rider preparing for an event?
Sébastien: I'd say first, to be mentally coached, and not to hesitate to ask for help from a mental coach, just like we do at a high level. I think it's really important to be able to arrive calm and not have any distracting thoughts.
The second piece of advice, I'd say, is to be technically ready. Don't go to a competition if you're not ready. You really need to be technically ready, even capable of doing something more difficult than what you'll be doing in the competition.
Hit-Air: Badminton Horse Trials or Burghley?
Sébastien: Wow, good question!
Hard to choose between them: I'd say the spectacle of Badminton and the "biggest cross-country in the world" aspect of Burghley.
Hit-Air: Rather drop or flying obstacle?
Sébastien: Drop, the leap into the void.
Hit-Air: Early morning stable or late night?
Sébastien: Early morning.
Many thanks to our ambassador for his warm welcome, we'll be seeing him again soon with his latest news:
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The CCI4**** in Boekelo in the Netherlands with Elipso de la Vigne.
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The Mondial du Lion d'Angers with Hashtag de la Vigne.
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And Kronenberg!
