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That Special Bond – with Kevin Staut

Tuesday, 28 February 2017
That Special Bond

 Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson "He is a really, really, special horse," Kevin Staut says about Reveur de Hurtebise HDC. Photos (c) Jenny Abrahamsson.

World of Showjumping continues our series 'That Special Bond' with the French gentleman Kevin Staut. We sat down with the Olympic team gold medallist from Rio to learn more about the horses that have made a difference in his career. And once again we were reminded of how a lot of trouble at the beginning often turns into a whole lot of love in the end…

 

The Special One

“My favourite horse is Reveur de Hurtebise HDC (Kashmir van Shuttershof x Capricieux de Six Censes), that I have had for five years now. I had a lot of trouble in the beginning with him, to find a way to ride him was not easy. He is really special and has a huge personality – I really, really love him.

In the beginning when Reveur arrived, Silvana was still the championship horse for me so I had no pressure with him. I started slowly with him and jumped just a few Grand Prix classes; some of them went good, some not. But when Silvana got older, I had to put more pressure on Reveur. It was difficult to ride him under pressure at first. It took five years to find a way with him, and now I really enjoy riding him.

Reveur’s personality is the best thing about him; he is always happy, he is cool but still has a lot of energy. He is like a perfect mix of a child and an adult; he can handle responsibility but is still happy in his mind. He is a really, really, special horse. I have had so many horses that I enjoy riding, but the relationship with Reveur is something truly special – also in the stable, not only under the saddle."

Photo (c) Jenny Abrahamsson "She has been the 'maker' of many things in my career,” Kevin Staut says about Silvana HDC, that is now retired.

The (Money) Maker

"The money maker for me has been Silvana (Corland x Widor). She jumped for so many years with me, and we won so many classes and so many important Grand Prix competitions. I loved her, the feeling with her in the ring was amazing. She was the best friend one could ask for to go in the ring with; she gave her heart to her rider.

But in the stables, she is a princess… You just need to give her food and leave her alone.

Silvana is of course also a lot more than just a money maker. For my career she meant a lot. Not only did she make money, she also brought me up the rankings – she helped me to become the rider I am today.

I rode Silvana for seven years, and first for another owner than Haras des Coudrettes. Before the Olympics in London, they decided to buy her – securing her for me so it is through Silvana that I got to know my current horse owners and supporters Emmanuèle and Armand Perron-Pette. So, Silvana has really meant a lot for me in many ways – she has been the 'maker' of many things in my career.”

 

The One That Got Away

“I have no regrets. I don’t really have a horse I would call the one that got away – I have been very lucky. On the other hand, I have stories of horses that should have been sold – but they stayed instead.

I did try Big Red, the horse that Steve Guerdat is now riding, three years ago. However, I did not take the opportunity with him – and now he is a Grand Prix horse.

If I could pick any horse from another rider, it would have to be Ryan from Simon Delestre. That is my type of horse, I love him!” 

 


Text © World of Showjumping by Nanna Nieminen // Pictures © Jenny Abrahamsson (No reproduction without permission)



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