Rider protection in the equine world – how do we feel about it?
A few weeks ago, I spoke with Mariel Aguirre about her fall earlier this summer. About how it changed her view on safety and her determination to make everyone aware about the risks in our sport. Of course, you can make a bad fall by bike… or by walking down the street.
Unfortunately we can’t live under a glass bell, but we can make people aware of the risks we face and on how to have optimal protection.
I would like to thank Mariel for sharing this with us! Here’s her story…
After my fall in July, I was out of the sport for six weeks due to injuries to my vertebrae, ribs, and lungs. I was never scared to ride again, but I was scared at how quickly everything can change. One second you’re riding a 150 class and the next you’re being helicoptered to the hospital after a fall over a 1 meter jump. Breaking a limb is one thing, but injuring your spine, neck or head, is a whole different ball game. I think those who have had such injuries can say that there’s a moment when you’re very scared that you’re going to be injured for life. It’s one of those things that you think will never happen to you. It was a stupid fall, and one that often doesn’t have consequences. But for me it did. And in reality, the worst falls always happen in the dumbest ways, and all it takes is for it to happen once, for it to be game over.
I began researching back protectors during my time off. In other sports, wearing body protection is a sign that you are going to go in there and give it your all; you protect yourself so you can take all the risks possible to be unbeatable, and the best athletes wear the most protection. However in our sport, which is considered a dangerous sports, wearing protection has a negative image attached to it; it is considered amateur, and the rider wearing protection is probably the “least” capable/most likely to fall. I sadly haven’t had one person tell me otherwise.
I had to make it a habit. Everyday when I put my helmet on, I put my body protector on – to hack, to ride, and to jump. It is not yet a part of our sport, but there is no other sport where the athlete risks so much and protects so little. I felt proud to take action after my injury, but I also felt out of place, uncomfortable, “amateur”. We want to look good, we want to feel comfortable on the horse, we want to look professional, and the reality is that wearing a back protector doesn’t cover any of these categories. I wish I would’ve started wearing it when my parents told me to years ago. I wish I would’ve listened instead of saying no because nobody wears one.
Is it overconfidence in our skills? Is it lack of awareness? Or do we just think it’ll never happen to us? These accidents don’t happen everyday, that’s why they are accidents. But we give ourselves every chance to get injured when they do happen by turning a blind eye to safety.
The reason I’m writing this post is because I want to share my perspective, and the body protectors I’ve found that work for me in and out of the ring. I’m not expecting to change riders’ opinions; Riders still today refuse to wear their helmets at home even though we know so many who have had severe injuries, and fatal injuries, due to ignorance. I do know however, that the conversation around safety in our sport is happening, and I wanted to be a part of it and share my experience.
Don’t hesitate to DM Mariel for more info on the back protectors.
- Published in focus, gezondheid, interview, Lifestyle, safety, springsport
Ready set GO!
Weekend is here and so is your horse show… your nerves, your fear of failure? We’re sharing some tips to get you to the ring calm and collected.
Hey! My name is Sofie Luyten, your blogger for Equlifestyle and passionate amateur showjumper so we might share a mutual feeling of excitement and anxiety when a show approaches. Let me share with you some tips and tricks that can make you feel more comfortable for the show.
Prep is your first step!
Preparation is key, if you want to do well at the show you must train during the week. By training I don’t necessarily mean an intense 2-hour workout with your horse. The most important thing for me is that my horse is happy, so during the week I alternate exercising in the ring with nice walks in the woods. Exercising can be working on ground poles, jumping a bigger track or keeping them nice and flexible with some dressage work.
My tip for workouts: Instagram – rafaelcollares
If you scroll down some of his videos you will find some nice examples of how to keep your horse in good shape. Thank you for inspiring us Rafael!
The day of the show
Make sure your horse is groomed properly and feels fit to perform. If you aren’t sure about lines or certain jumps in the ring ask a good friend. I tend to only take advice from a few people that know me and my horse well. Too many opinions might distract you and leave you undecided.
Start to warm up in time and be thoughtful of the others in the warm up, you are not alone.
One good tip I received from Annette Paterakis is to breathe. Focus on you breathing and connection with your horse… that’s already 70% of the stress gone in my opinion. Don’t feel like you have to focus on a lot of things, pick one thing you want to do right that round and stick to it.
So if you feel you could use a little more inspiration for your mental game follow annette_paterakis to get some extra tips and tricks!
In the equestrian world things can always go wrong whether you are at a regional show or at the Olympics. If the results don’t show immediately don’t panic! Good things take time, horses take more time. A successful equestrian takes the time to let his horse process what he’s learned.
I see a lot of people blaming their horse for bad results, however I dare to say that in most cases it’s better to look at what you could have done better. Watch your video or have a pair of eyes on the ground, it will clarify a lot of things. Learn from your results, discuss your setbacks with your trainer or mental coach and keep going. No matter what happens… keep going!
Moving forward
I have been very fortunate to train with a lot of good riders but I think training with Quentin Judge has had the most impact on me. Attitude is more than talent. If you can keep a good attitude to those around you as well as to your four-legged friends you will see life gets much easier. Don’t be afraid to work hard for your goals, try to take an internship with top riders I can assure you it will be a life changing experience.
One last thing before you go into the ring…
“Eyes up and smile”! For some reason it instantly puts you in a positive mood and by keeping your eyes up you focus more. Remember we are all passionate about our sport so enjoy the ride as much as you can.
- Published in focus, Lifestyle, springsport
Harcour chooses Belgium Riders
Belgium is a country gifted when speaking about creating and developing performant and talented riders. We just have to look at the numerous top-level athletes competing regarding the size of some others. That is why Harcour wants to unit its savoir-faire in creating adapted equipment, to Belgium’s one in growing good athletes.
What is Harcour?
Harcour is a young French company created in 2014 which offers modern, elegant and performant clothes for riding and for a daily life. Started and expanding thanks to passionate people, the French brand keeps improving to offer its riders, avant-gardists products. Harcour creates two seasonal collections every year in limited edition, in addition of the permanent one. All designed in France, the main objective of the company is to offer the best quality-price ratio as well as trendy products.
Fashionable brand
More than being performant, Harcour also creates elegant clothes that are wearable in your daily life. Our designer creates two seasonal collections every year that are always on trend and adapted to the current weather conditions. This ability of following the trend places Harcour as a “must have” in riders’ wardrobe
Harcour in Belgium!
Now, Harcour counts more than 550 saddleries all over the world that decided to trust Harcour and that distributing its products in their stores would be an asset for them. Twelve of them are in Belgium, but Harcour wants to develop this sector more deeply.
That is why Harcour is associating with Equnews during the Summer Masters of Showjumping which will take place from the 15th to the 19th of August 2018. The brand is also planning to launch more contests that will allow all Belgian riders to win lots of gifts.
In order to develop its brand in Belgium, Harcour is looking for local ambassadors. If you are a rider, interested in promoting Harcour brand, contact us at the following……
- Published in focus
Maikel van der Vleuten & Eric van der Vleuten: THE STORY
ERIC VAN DER VLEUTEN has been working with horses his whole life. He has been a trade rider, competition rider, trainer, coach and dealer. A success story that has allowed Eric to build magnificent facilities in Someren (Holland), where he has been living with his family and, of course, with his horses for years.
TIME GALLOPS. WHAT REMAINS OF YOUNG ERIC TODAY, WHO AT THE AGE OF 14 DECIDED TO DEDICATE HIMSELF PROFESSIONALLY TO HORSE RIDING?
I started riding as a child for fun and when I finished school I decided I wanted to dedicate myself to it professionally. For two and a half years I was riding for Henk Noren and at 25 I decided to start my own stable.
WHO IS MORE IMPORTANT IN THE RIDER-HORSE PARTNERSHIP?
I think both are very important. All riders who now place high in the ranking are all very good; it is a match between the two. There are riders who don’t get great results with a horse, but that same horse with another rider does. The rapport between them is very important: the mentality and the type of riding.
EXPERTS SAY THAT THERE’S BEEN A GREAT MORPHOLOGICAL AND GENETIC EVOLUTION IN COMPETITION HORSES. HAVE THESE COMPETING HORSES CHANGED THAT MUCH IN RECENT YEARS?
Of course. Nowadays tracks are becoming more technical and jumps are more delicate. We now see horses with more blood and that are warmer, very careful and strong. The horses of today have to have everything to win, as they participate in many competitions each year with a high technical level; so in addition to being fast, they also need many other qualities.
Before horses had to do very large jumps and nowadays they are more technical jumps, more delicate with the bar falling beforehand, so it is very important that the horse has a great capacity for reaction, can lengthen and shorten its legs very easily, something that is reflected in the horse breeding.
THE COMPETITION SCHEDULE IS VERY DEMANDING AND YOUNG RIDERS DOMINATE THE WORLD RANKING. HOW HAVE EQUESTRIAN SPORTS CHANGED?
Nowadays there are many more competitions; every weekend there is a 5*. A few years ago there was just one 5* per month. As there are more competitions there are many more riders, and young riders have the opportunity to be in important competitions and compete against the best riders, helping them to improve. This is what makes the level increase every day.
WHAT GOALS DOES ERIC VAN DER VLEUTEN HAVE FOR THE 2018 SEASON?
Right now my goals are focused on the GCL Madrid in Motion team. We’re going to try to get the best results and get our passport to Prague.
WHAT IS WUNSCHKIND LIKE?
We bought her a little over a year ago when she was competing in 2* competitions. Last season she did various 5* and I hope that now, with more experience, we will get good results. She is a great mare (in all senses of the word); she has a very good head on her, she is very careful and always tries to do her best.
MAIKEL van der VLEUTEN is part of the generation of young riders leading world equestrian sports. He is an undisputed member of the Dutch national team which has triumphed in the main international competitions over the last decade.
IS IT HARD TO CARRY THE VAN DER VLEUTEN SURNAME?
To be honest, not entirely. Of course when I was little there were a lot of people looking at me, knowing that I was Eric’s son, and deep down everyone expected me to be one way. But the truth is that from the beginning I learned to deal with the situation and have fun with the horses. I have managed to develop my own system thanks to everything I have learned from my father.
THE SUCCESSFUL 2017 SEASON ALLOWED MAIKEL VAN DER VLEUTEN TO ENTER THE WORLD TOP10. WHAT IS MORE DIFFICULT: TO GET TO THE TOP OR MAINTAIN AN ELITE STATUS?
Both are very complicated. If you get good results for two months you can get to the top ten, but to stay there you need to be successful for at least six months, meaning that both the horses and the rider are in top form. For me, the most important thing is knowing that we are on the right track, that we are doing well, so the results come by themselves.
THE MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION: WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT— THE RIDER OR THE HORSE?
You need both if you want to win. It’s a sport for two: the horse and rider. You need them to complement each other, and if the rider has a bad day the horse responds for both and vice versa. A good horse can make an average rider a great rider, and the other way around; but to win, both are very important.
2018 HAS HAD AN INTENSE START FOR MAIKEL. IN JANUARY, YOUR FIRST DAUGHTER WAS BORN AND FOR THE AMSTERDAM COMPETITION YOU HAD A HAND INJURY. NOW THAT YOU ARE RECOVERED, YOU ARE FACING A LONG AND DEMANDING SEASON. WHAT PLANS DOES MAIKEL HAVE FOR THIS YEAR?
My goals for this year are focused on the Global Champions Tour and GCL circuits. Last year I was second in the general classification and this year I want to try to win. Why not? For the team competition I think we have a great team, Madrid in Motion; I hope we can get good results and be in Prague at the end of the year.
The World Championship is at the end of the year and I would like to compete with Idi Utopia. She doesn’t have much experience but I think she could do it well.
WHAT IS UTOPIA LIKE?
I’ve been with her for almost two years. She is a highly talented, quality mare who is very careful and transmits a great vibe while riding. She’s only done a few 5* Grand Prix but my goal is to take her to the highest level. I think she could be a good mare for championships.
source: Massimo Dutti, press through OXER SPORT
The Meulendijks sisters: Classy at the showground
The Sisters Meulendijks, have made their name in the dressage world. Both Lotte and Anne are celebrated young dressage riders. Time for our team of Equ.Lifestyle to contact these ladies at their home, discovering their ‘style’.
At the showground both Lotte and Anne do catch the eye. Not only their competition results with MDH Avanti, MDH Ohio and Welt Hit make them notice. They express class while being ‘in’. It is a typical Meulendijk fashion.
“We’re very happy with our fashion sponsor. The brand offers both casual as well as competition outfits. But what is more important is they give us our freedom to pick out our own clothes.”
“On the showground we opt for neutral colours. Despite we like to bring some excitement in our wardrobe as well. Adding some fancy summer colours for example.
We don’t like the ‘bling bling’. Everything needs to be functional as well as nice. That is also why we like the taste of our sponsor.
“Quality and functionality are two key words in what we like to describe our style. The brand we wear is feeling comfortable and easy to wear. Really made to fit us,” state the sisters simultaniously. We like to express ourselves with casual yet classy clothers.
The chique-hip is not for us nor our horses. Nevertheless the horse can always be dressed a bit more, be pimped up if you want. He/she is the one in the spotlights.
“I don’t like to use the bont in our horse materials. Certainly not with Avanti. That looks just awfull when I use that,” explains Anne.
Also the helmets stay neutral. At home the ladies wear a black cap. At the showground the helmets remained neutral but there are some little gems (swarovski) added.
“Also for a helmet the functionality and comfort are priority. Those secure your safety and that is what a helmet is designed for.”
Apart from the show ring the sisters enjoy going out. “Although I might be a bit more timide as Anne, “ explains Lotte. “I enjoy adding some colour to my outfit. Being honoust though, most colour in my closet is blue with black.”
“We both enjoy following up on the latest fashion trends, but it isn’t our priority. It’s more like a hobby we do whenever we have some time.” And don’t forget, yes we are dressage riders, but as well girly-girls. We enjoy wearing a little skirt or dress for a nice event!
Photos: Chris Coessens for Equ.Lifestyle
In & Rond: Euregio H&F
Naar jaarlijkse gewoonte is er na afloop van de internationale tweesterren wedstrijd Horse & Friends de gezellige Euregio op het Sentower Park in Opglabbeek. Dit jaar hernoemd naar H&F zullen de cowboys & indianen het overnemen van donderdag 02 november tot en met zondag 05 november.
Er staat weer heel wat regionale sport op de agenda en zowel op vrijdag als zaterdag wordt de avond afgesloten met show, spektakel en feestgedruis. Meer info: klik hier
Maar wat kan je doen als je even niets te doen hebt? Wij zochten het even uit: In & Around Euregio H&F
Gezellige resto tijd
Toegegeven het eten aan de gezellige tafels in het Sentower Park zal opnieuw netjes verzorgd zijn. Maar wat als je geen tafel hebt of gewoon eens zin hebt in iets anders?
Het dichtste bij is het restaurant van het Sentower Park zelf. Een gezellige brasserie waar je de basisgerechten op de menukaart kan terugvinden. Heb je zin in iets anders?
Op slechts 2 minuten rijden bevind zich “Le Petit Chateau”, deze B&B heeft ook een geslaagd restaurant waar je heen kan voor een culinair genot. Je kan er eten van 12- 14 en 18 – 21 uur. Reservaties en info vind je HIER
Ga je liever voor Italiaans aarzel dan niet een bezoekje te brengen aan Pizzeria La Casa. Deze Pizzeria wordt hoog aangeschreven. Afhalen is eveneens mogelijk! Info vind je HIER
Shopping fun
Gezelligheid troef in het kleine centrum van Opglabbeek. Heb je enkele uurtjes vrij, staat je viervoeter gezellig te keuvelen in zijn stal, dan kan je snel richting het centrum van Opglabbeek trekken. Naast enkele kledijwinkels zijn er ook nog wat leuke decoratie shops.
Heb je iets meer luxe van tijd, dan ligt het shopping paradijs van ‘Hasselt city’ op slechts 30 minuten rijden.
Ontspanning
Het hoeft niet altijd resto en shop-tijd te zijn. In een straal van 7 km van het Sentower park kan je gezellig films kijken in de Euroscoop van Genk, even een sportwissel doen in het Hengelhoef zwembad of lekker gaan racen met vrienden op de Indoor Karting in Meeuwen.
Rij je slechts enkele kilometers verder ligt er nog een leuke indoor skipiste in Genk en minigolf terrein in Kattevennen. Kortom alles om er zowel op het Sentower Park als errond een gezellige week van te maken.
- Published in focus, In & Around
De Meester bouwer: Luc Musette
De Belgische parcoursbouwer Luc Musette, zit gelijmd aan zijn computer wanneer we hem ontmoeten tijdens de Longines Global Champions Tour in Monte Carlo. Op zijn bureau in de jury box overschouwt Musette de piste aan de Monacese haven, alsook de immense yachten. Met slechts enkele uren te gaan voor de vijfsterren concours van start gaan maakt Musette even tijd om samen met ons te praten over zijn 32 jaar ervaring.
“Ik start met een blanco papier. Soms vraagt het uittekenen van een parcours maar vijf minuten, soms vraagt het drie tot vier dagen,” verklaart Musette. “Voor mij is geen enkel parcours identiek. Ik teken op basis van de piste”.
Heel wat factoren spelen een rol volgens de ervaren parcoursbouwer. “Overdag moet je rekening houden met de stand van de zon. Ook de omgeving is van belang. Hier in Monte-Carlo is er heel wat media aandacht. Daarbij moet elke sponsor zijn sprong perfect in beeld zien. Hierdoor dien ik rekening te houden met de koninklijke berg aan de achterzijde en de reflectie van de zon op het water van de haven.”
Luc Musette is één van de meest gevraagde parcoursbouwers in de wereld. De afgelopen vijf jaar is hij een vast onderdeel van de Longines Global Champions Tour. Decennia heeft de parcoursbouwer er zijn levenswerk van gemaakt het publiek te laten daveren en de ruiters een gezonde portie uitdaging voor te schotelen.
Zo is onder andere de Amerikaanse Reed Kessler één van zijn fans. Kessler noemt Musette’s parcours “subliem”. Hoewel de paarden en ruiters de spotlights wegstelen tijdens het evenement beseft iedereen dat er geen spanning of topsport zou zijn zonder de parcours.
Voor Musette is dit ook van belang. “Ik denk alles uit. Er moet een verhaal in mijn parcours zijn, een spektakel, een mise-en-scène.” Musette is zelf geen fan van te technisch en moeilijke parcours. “Ten eerste vind ik dat een parcours fair moet zijn voor het paard. Elke viervoeter moet zichzelf kunnen uiten in mijn parcours. De paarden moeten hun kwaliteiten kunnen tonen. Elke parcours moet harmonieus zijn maar met enkele addertjes onder het gras. Indien je die addertjes weet te overbruggen, dan finish je foutloos. Dat is volgens mij ook m’n sterkte.”
Luc Musette komt UIT paardenfamilie van vijf generaties en is de broer van Jean-Paul Musette, voormalig chef d’Equipe van België. “Hoewel ik uit een rasechte paardenfamilie kom was m’n carrière in de sport niet vooraf gepland. Ik reed heel wat toen ik jonger was en door m’n nauwe band met de sport ben ik uiteindelijk bij deze job beland.”
Als Musette één favoriet parcours uit zijn carrière mag kiezen antwoord hij zonder twijfel de € 1 miljoen Grote Prijs in Rio. Hier verwijst hij naar de Athina Onassis horse Show in Rio de Janeiro, gewonnen door Olympisch ruiter, Steve Guerdat.
“Ik ben nog steeds enorm fier op dat parcours. Het bood genoeg spanning en met slechts vier combinaties in de barrage was het parcours echt vanuit horsemanship ontworpen. De paarden hadden elke gelegenheid hun kwaliteiten te tonen zonder hun eigen limiet voorbij te springen.,” verklaart Musette. “
VILLEPINTE, FRANCE – DECEMBER 06: Course Designer Luc Musette poses on Day 3 of the Gucci Paris Masters 2014 on December 6, 2014 in Villepinte, France. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images for Masters Grand Slam Indoor)
Je moet steeds rekening houden met de paarden. Elke week zijn ze opnieuw aan het werk. Als je een zware oxer bouwt zullen er heel wat fouten gemaakt worden. Maar dat is niet waar ik naar streef. Ik zoek steeds naar de balans tussen respect en harmonie.”
Luc heeft het genoegen de wereldtop aan het werk te zien en meer nog, zijn werk te interpreteren. Logisch dat hij een favoriet heeft, denken we dan?
“Edwina Tops-Alexander, Ian Miller maar het meest kijk ik op naar Nick Skelton. Zeker in combinatie met Big Star. Voor mij is deze combinatie wereldniveau alleen al gebaseerd op de technische graad die het duo aankan. Het duo is fantastisch. Nick heeft een perfecte ruiters attitude en hij weet een paard echt op te waarderen.”
Toeval wil dat Nick Skelton ook een fan is van Luc Musette. “Luc is één van de beste parcoursbouwers in de wereld. Het is een getalenteerd man die op een paardvriendelijke manier een technisch parcours kan uittekenen.,” verklaart Skelton.
“Je kan hem steeds aanspreken, nog een pluspunt!” Voor ruiters is het niet ongebruikelijk dat ze de parcoursbouwer aanspreken voor aanvang van de proef. “Vaak vragen ze me wat meer info betreffende de afstand, of de tijd kort staat, hoe ze de tijd zullen meten, enz. De moeilijkheid bij elk gesprek is neutraal te blijven. Je mag de ene ruiter niet meer info geven als de andere.”
Als afsluiter nog even het nuttig advies van ‘s werelds nummer één parcoursbouwer:
“Hou het simpel. Bevraag jezelf steeds. Het is nooit een job, wel een hobby,” verklaart Musette. Kijk nu even hier in Monte-Carlo, een zuiderse goddelijke plaats. Wie droomt daar niet van?
- Published in focus, interview, springsport
