Text © World of Showjumping

We continue our popular series ‘That Special Bond’, and this time we speak with Philipp Weishaupt’s long-time groom Lisa Fundis. Lisa likes when the horses show what they want, and it’s two strong-minded mares that have been the most special ones so far in her career. 

“The answer would be my two mares – Asathir and Che Fantastica – even though that special bond is the result of a lot of work,” Lisa says with a smile. “They are both quite similar in the way that they talk a lot and they both want one person that they can trust. I really like horses that show you what they want and both of them are very clear in that way. 

Asathir came to us in 2017, but she was still owned by Kamal Bahamdan back then. This period was quite difficult, because she moved between the stables a lot so it was like saying good-bye and getting to know her over and over again. Then, 1,5 years ago the ownership changed so now she is fully in our stable and that has made a huge different for her. 

Fantastica came at the end of the summer in 2017 and arrived with the information that she was special and difficult – a real chestnut mare. However, Philipp found a connection to her very quickly and they work really well together, even though she doesn’t always make his life easy. 

Both mares are stabled next to each other and if one of them goes to a show and the other one not, the one left at home will grumpy and jealous. It always takes a couple of days before the one left at home gets back to being herself again.” 

“Convall has been out of a sport for a while now and I do miss him. With him I experienced everything for the first time – the German Championships, Spruce Meadows, flying with horses and so on. I started to work for Philipp five years ago and it was when Convall was active, so I experienced so much with him. Now he is focusing on his breeding career and is stabled in the stallion section here at the yard. 

Convall was a very special guy. When Philipp wasn’t home someone else obviously had to ride Convall and they were always very happy when Philipp was back – he was not easy to ride. On the other hand, he had a fantastic mind while competing and whenever Philipp counted on him, he was there. Convall won the Grand Prix of Aachen when he was only nine and then it continued – he was an exceptional horse. 

As a stallion he was quiet though, and he didn’t make my life difficult. He travelled well with other horses next to him and he didn’t need any special treatment like many other stallions.”

“That is Fantastica. Now she trusts me and sticks to me, but it took a long time to get her trust. Even though Philipp has a very good connection with her, he has an adventure every time he rides her as she can come up with new things every day. 

Coby on the other hand, has been the total opposite. He has just been simple from day one and has been the same day in and day out. 

In general, I think that the horses talk a lot and we humans need to take the time to listen. They show us very clearly what they wish for if they just get the chance.”

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