Pony team and individual test winner Mathilde Thevenot and her 10-year old German pony Osbourne were on the ball on home turf at the 2015 CDI Biarritz on 15 - 17 May 2015. The pair scored 68.872% and 70.195%. They dropped to second in the Pony Kur test with 71.425% behind country mate Jules Cadusseau.
“I came into the Biarritz CDI with no pressure. I just worked on my tests and adjusted the small details,” said 15-year Mathilde. “Osbourne reacted very well and together we achieved some excellent scores.”
Attending her local high school, Mathilde trains with Jean François Lagarde, but as a member of the French Pony team she meets regularly with pony team trainer and chef d'equipe Alizee Froment.
“Alizee meets regularly with those on the long list for training sessions. During the clinics we work on the training but also on preparing us to become top athletes, both in the mental and sportive aspects," she told Eurodressage.
Her very kind and curious pony Osbourne is a great partner. She hopes to continue her success with him to prepare for the next step up.
“My goals are the French Championships this summer and then onto the European Championships in Sweden," she added. "After that I hope to rise up to the Junior level competition.”
Team trainer Alizee Froment added that training the pony team for the last five years has presented her with a lot of emotions, a lot of work, and many great memories too.
“There are no words to describe how much I love to see all "my" children growing year after year,” Alizee told Eurodressage. “Starting so young, often a bit lost in their first steps and going on to become super little professional riders in such a short time. I'm proud of each of them, they all have improved so much. They are all beautiful people!”
Froment keeps in contact with all the riders as they go on to becoming juniors, young riders, and even now, young seniors. Alizee knows that there is a special link that will stay between them forever.
“This year we have many good combinations able to achieve scores that we have not yet seen in the French team. However, sport is sport; sometimes it works, and sometimes not," said the level-header coach.
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Astrid Appels
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Scores 2015 CDI Biarritz
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