Carousel Collective - April 2017

Carousel

Collective

ISSUE 03 April 2017

Valegro Dressage Superstar Equine Therapy Part 3 Mindfulness

The Trotting Trestle - Capturing the Spirit of the Horse

ride...

canter on

#We are Equestrians

cOVER sTORIES

rEGULARS

37 The Trotting Trestle Clea Witte of

07 Editors Notes mostly

the Trotting Trestle shares her art and love of horses with us.

horse talk with a little bit of everything else inbetween

29 Equine Therapy Horses with people

13 equi culture for your

problems - How to create mindfulness.

monthly ďŹ x of everything equestrian

19 Events upcoming shows

FEATURES 11 Colt Starting Should you start your

own colt or should you rather leave it to someone else. This article explores the different options.

and equestrian events

09 TrendBook

this month we’re inspired by turquoise riding gear.

Carousel Collective April 2017

CONTENTS

47 Valegro we pay tribute to this

amazing horse and his iconic dressage career.

Live what you

Love!

On the Cover Grey horse, stock image 3 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Meaningful Minds Psychologists

Clinical Psychology Practice | Equine Assisted Psychotherapy | Psychological Services for Children, Adults and Couples

www.meaningfulminds.co.za 081 759 4849 | 011 615 1030

Carousel Collective | Editor’s Notes |

h t n o m s i th . . . g n i v o i’m l If you get as excited about horse jewelry as I do, then you'll love this cute little sterling silver necklace, titled Little Pony from a local jewelry designer in Pretoria.

It's dainty and quirky and I love that it is so different from your conventional pendants.

When we bought our home, I got really excited because it meant that I could paint one of the walls dark blue, something I have wanted to do forever, along with a gallery wall with none other than images of horses. Art is a great way to inject character into your home, and horses, well they just make great works of art. I love finding new horse ornaments and artworks because they give our home such a classic, timeless feel and I cannot imagine being surrounded by anything else really, I guess I am just horse crazy like that.

Besides the Little Pony pendant they have other great ones too from little birds to bears and bunting.

To see what else this designer has to offer, visit her online store trinket.co.za

This month on page 37 we interview artist and equestrian, Clea Witte of The Trotting Trestle. The intricacy of Clea's work is amazing and I love that she truly endeavors to capture the spirit and character of each and every horse she paints.

This issue is centered around dressage superstar Valegro, because you cannot, not pay tribute to a horse like Valegro, you can read our feature on him on page 47.

We have some really exciting stuff planned for future issues, so be sure to keep reading and don’t forget to visit our website monthly to see what freebies we have for you.

Good luck to those of you who will be competing at Easter Festival.

Until the next issue Happy riding.

izzy Xx 7 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Click on the website address on any of the adverts placed in our magazine and you’ll be taken directly to the advertisers’ website

www.trinket.co.za

Carousel Collective | Trendbook |

1.

2.

3.

9 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Turquoise

Inquisition

This month's trend book we're loving the colour turquoise paired with brown or grey.

Both combinations look great and work well on chestnut's, bays and steel grey's.

We love that you can go all out with turquoise boots, numnah and y veil or you can tone it down and go with a neutral colour as the main colour with accents of turquoise on the trim for that understated pop of colour.

4.

6.

5.

1 Pagony Fly Veil 2 Bates Close Contact Saddle 3 Roeckl Riding Gloves 4 Waldhausen Saddle Pad 5 Classic Equine No Turn Boots 6 Norton Pro Tendon and Fetlock boots Page 9 top right corner - Equiline Gioia Show Jacket

caroco.co.za | 10

Should You Start Your Own Colt He might be a little immature looking, and he still has some growing to do, but you’d like to go ahead and start him under saddle this year, just lightly. How nice it would be to start him at a colt-starting clinic with a clinician you really admire.

As you look over the clinic schedules for the year, you may be asking, “Is it a good idea for me to do this myself, or should I get someone else to ride the colt for me?” That’s a good question. The answer will be personal for everyone, and it depends on a lot of factors. Surprisingly, having years upon years of prior riding experience is relatively low on that list.

Granted, at first blush it seems like a bad idea to combine inexperienced riders with inexperienced horses. Certainly in the absence of supervision and instruction, that would be ineffective at best, and possibly disastrous. But consider that there are very different types of experience. Many folks who are experienced riders are not necessarily experienced at educating horses. Riding a “made” horse is a very different deal from showing new skills to a young horse. That means a lot of very experienced riders could fairly be considered inexperienced when it comes to starting a colt.

So the playing field gets leveled a bit from the outset. I’ve seen some remarkably inexperienced riders do well with their colts in many clinics, so I’ve come to believe that a rider’s preparedness to start a colt has more to do with certain physical and personality traits, and good assistance, rather than high mileage in the saddle.

As an example, consider these two hypothetical extremes:

11 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Rider A took up riding a year ago, has pretty regular exposure to horses but no formal lessons, and just acquired this unstarted Hanoverian, his first horse. Rider A is an empathetic, athletic person with awareness and sensitivity, who is starting this new colt at a Buck Brannaman clinic. Buck will give thorough, clear explanations of all the groundwork exercises, provide constructive critique of his technique, and keep a keen eye on him (and everybody else) to ward off potential trouble before it happens.

If anyone really needs help, Buck’s assistant will be ready to step in.

Rider A boards at a barn with a capable professional to follow up with him. I see this as a scenario destined to work out well.

Rider B has ridden show hunters as a professional for decades, and has the big-name clients and business cards to prove it. A client brings him a 2-year-old Thoroughbred “to break for showing,” and he wants to see it on the pre-green circuit as soon as possible. Rider B straps on a Prix de Nations saddle and standing martingale, and proceeds to ride this high-strung filly exactly the same way as all his other clients’ horses.

The stupid, stubborn horse doesn’t pick up the correct lead, so he gets after it. You have to show him who’s boss if you don’t want to blow show entry fees later, he tells the owner, who doesn’t dispute the trainer’s wisdom. Then the filly picks up her head and whinnies at a stablemate.

Rider B tears her head around; this kind of behavior is intolerable in a show horse. Rider B doesn’t need to go to clinics, naturally, because he knows all there is to know about molding a show horse into winning form.

If you doubt it, just check out the well-stocked trophy case in his tack room.

‘Mileage and ribbons and being a bona fide “professional” have little or nothing to do with being a good candidate for starting a colt.’

“Is it a good idea for me to do this myself, or should I get someone else to ride the colt for me?”

Actually, these are not hypothetical examples.

I’ve seen both Rider A and Rider B. Rider A, with very little experience, but a lot of willingness and tact, did a good job and went on to a happy partnership with his colt. Rider B drove his project horse into a nervous breakdown, in which it would balk at the in-gate, then rear, bite on its own legs, and throw its rider.

In short, it seems that mileage and ribbons and being a bona fide “professional” have little or nothing to do with being a good candidate for starting a colt. Here are a few traits I would think are important, though: • Empathy, a willingness to view the encounter from the horse’s point of view and understand how to clearly communicate • Awareness, a keen attention to detail, able to identify the very beginnings of problems or the very beginnings of responses to reward

Any of these conditions might be signs that it could be a good idea to get someone else to start the colt—while you watch and learn, so you can follow up later. Below are some signs that, regardless of your level of previous riding experience, you might be a very good candidate for starting your own colt: • You have a reasonably secure seat and independent hands; don’t pull on the reins for support; and can use your hands, legs, and seat with some subtlety.

• You are pretty confident, in sync, and relaxed while trotting and cantering on a loose rein.

• You might be reasonably anxious about getting on your colt for the first time, but it’s more like eager anticipation.

• It doesn’t totally freak you out if a horse shies, skitters a few strides, kicks up a bit, tosses its head, or such.

• Athleticism, the rider’s ability to use the body and aids with precision and good timing, and to mount and ride lightly and in balance with the horse through all gaits

• You seem to get on well with the adult horses you ride; they’re generally calm and willing for you.

• Humility, viewing the equine partnership as a teacher/student relationship rather than an opportunity to intimidate or dominate

• You really enjoy showing kids or animals little things and watching them learn how to respond.

• Goodwill, considering behavioral “problems” not as willful misbehaviors but as the reasonable result of the horse’s confusion or self-preservation

If the second set of criteria looks more familiar, I’d say go for it! Enjoy the fun and camaraderie of a colt-starting class with a first-rate clinician who will take time to explain, support, encourage, and supervise. There’s nothing like that feeling of enjoying a riding horse that you started yourself!

• Patience, the ability to slide into that Zen-like state where you’re willing to wait long times and many repetitions for the horse to reliably figure out your requests • Appreciation, a total mindset where the human is always seeking reasons to be pleased with the horse and encourage him, not reasons to condemn or criticize

Words Sylvana Smith Article originally appeared in Eclectic Horseman Issue No.28

• Confidence, the ability to communicate relaxation and trust to the horse, and to ride out securely at all gaits and through coltish skitters on a loose rein • Attentiveness, that is, the ability to listen to and heed the clinician’s instructions, even when a colt might be leaping on the end of your halter rope If you are considering whether or not to start your own colt, a “yes” answer to the following questions might lead you to ask someone else to do it for you: • Do you get seize up, get scared or stiff when a horse trots, canters, shies, or kicks up a bit?

• Are you deeply stomach-churning, palm-sweaty nervous about the prospect of getting on your colt?

• Do you find it boring and dull to work on “insignificant” little things?

• Do you get angry when horses don’t do what you ask?

• Do you take it personally if the horse does something that seems pushy or aggressive to you?

• Do you get frustrated when you have to show the horse the same thing over and over again?

caroco.co.za | 12

Carousel Collective | Equi Culture |

Shades of Grey With a myriad of different shades from iron to rose to dapple and flea bitten, grey is definitely one of the most interesting coat colours.

Interesting facts about greys: A grey horse must have at least one gray parent. The grey gene is a dominant gene and cannot "show up” later on, as recessive genes are wont to do. So if your horse is grey, you know without question that one or both of its parents were grey.

Grey horses have won the Kentucky Derby on eight occasions. These famous grey Thoroughbreds include: Determine, Decidedly, Spectacular Bi, Gato Del Sol, Winning Colors (a filly), Silver Charm, Monarchos, and—most recently—Giacamo in 2005.

The only Kentucky Derby winner to be disqualified was a grey. The grey horse Dancer’s Image, initial winner of the 1968 Kentucky Derby, was later disqualified after a drug test showed the presence of phenylbutazone. The disqualification remains a topic of controversy even today.

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit, the 1968 Disney comedy starring Dean Jones and Kurt Russell, features a grey horse named Aspercel.

Interesting facts - horsechannel.com Images - pinterest.com

13 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Don’t FORGET THEM

Because every horse deserves to be a horse

The Hole in The Wall Horse Project Currently has 1158 patients on record. Visit the Hole in the Wall Horse Project’s Facebook page to see how you can make a difference in the lives of these working equines. caroco.co.za | 10

Carousel Collective

| Equestrian Life |

This month our equestrian crush is none other than Charlotte Dujardin.

What’s not to love about Charlotte, she’s a dressage super star. She has her very own clothing collection by Kingsland Equestrian and she always looks so stylish in her gear.

The most inspiring thing about Charlotte is probably her humbleness, through all the fame you can see that at the centre of it all, is just a girl who loves riding and horses.

Charlotte Dujardin

15 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Carousel Collective | Equi Events |

show jumping

Eventing

Kyalami Equestrian Park 8th-17th April Easter Festival

Fourways 8th-9th April

PE Riding Club 07th-09th April George Riding Club 08th-09th April Burlington Stables 22nd April Ascot Autumn Show 29th-30th April Penbritte Equestrian Centre 29th-30th April

Dressage/Showing Kyalami Equestrian Park 8-17th April Easter Festival Canterbrooke 22nd-23rd April VREC Show 23rd April Equistar Show 22nd April 19 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Windsong Port Alfred 8th-9th April Zambia 22nd-23rd April George Riding Club 29th-30th April Oaksprings 29th-30th April

Events Lipizzaners Easter Performance 15th April Please contact or refer to each venues/disciplines website for more information regarding the events listed here.

E&OE

| Equi Culture |

equestrian reads

If you are one of the many equestrians who cheered Valegro on from the couch during his outstanding career and wept uncontrollably during his retirement performance, then the book Valegro, Champion Horse has to be next on your ‘to read list’ and if you have a little equestrian in the house you can buy him/her the Valegro children’s series: Valegro - The little horse with the big dream and Valegro - The early years. All these books are Available from loot.co.za Valegro Champion Horse - Review Valegro is nothing short of a world-wide phenomenon, a horse who has taken the sporting world by storm. In an unprecedented career, he has gone from rejection to concurrent Olympic, World and European Gold and a World No 1 ranking - leaving a trail of broken World records in his wake.

From gangly youngster to 'the best the world has seen', this is the heart-warming story of the horse that revolutionized a centuries-old sport and won the hearts of equestrian and sports fans everywhere. Voted the Nation's favourite horse, he has achieved international fame and admiration and has a character and intelligence that the public clearly adores.

This modern-day Black Beauty story is told by his owner and trainer, Carl Hester, who had the vision to bring together the potential of a young rider - Charlotte Dujardin - with a horse whose outstanding ability has proved that dreams can still come true.

Image right side of book cover- Emily Hancock Review - goodreads.com

caroco.co.za | 20

Carousel Collective

| Equestrian Life |

#Insta Crush

rockin.royalty

Ashley Skidmore Photographer Nikon D5 | 16 y/o | Cen. Texas Samson, Sylvester, Sassafras - tricks/western

Looking at Ashley Skidmore’s instagram feed, you would never in a million years believe that this talented photographer is just 16 years old. All we can say is wow, wow, WOW! This feed is a visual feast for the horse lovers soul and we’re loving it. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for Ashley and her equine photography.

#equine inspired Horses teach you alot. Very little of it actually has to do with horses.

— Anthony Lothian 21 | Carousel Collective April 2017

#Golden oldies Elizabeth Taylor and her horse Pie in the classic horse movie National Velvet

Available at

horseland-sa.co.za

ALPHA APPALOOSA STUD AlphaAppaloosa.com

We have 25 beautiful, colourful going horses, young stock, mares and stallions for sale. Contact us for our colour brochure, videos, etc or visit our website. AlphaAppaloosa.com “Alpha Eagle’s Trinity” pictured on the right is a 2 year old leopard stallion, imported bloodlines Alpha Eagle’s Hiawatha (Drea Eagle’s Dandy) x Alpha Wap’s Jellybeans (Wap’s Pajamas) Lots of potential as a breeding stallion, endurance horse, and more Phone Claire on 051 924 2086 or sms 083 228 0223 email: claireamm@gmail.com

Above Alpha Wap’s Whistlestop.... 2 year old colt Right Alpha Wap’s Hot Stuff.... yearling colt Below Alpha Eagle’s Hiawatha.... 12 year old proven stallion, endurance horse Below right Alpha Toby’s Kayak....super big gelding, going well under saddle.

MINDFULNESS Words Chevonne Powell

The ability to be aware and fully present.

In the first part of this series you were introduced to the concept of a horse as a biological mirror. As prey animals, horses have the innate ability to read the physiological states of another animal. This allows them to sense if there is danger from the reactions between the herd, or from the physiological tension of a predator. From human-horse research, we have come to understand that the horse may act as a biofeedback machine for humans - mirroring the reactions of what is happening on an emotional and cognitive level.

In the second part, we examined the impact your emotional state has on your horse, and discussed the ‘emotional tack-up’ that should take place before you ride. This allows you to be aware of what you are feeling, consider the message behind the emotion, reflect on the impact the emotion you have, may have on your horse and your riding and then make an informed decision about whether you are in the correct emotional space to train your horse.

In this article, part 3, we look deeper into mindfulness, and examine ways in which you can improve mindfulness in your life and in your riding.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness started as a vague Buddhist concept about 2,500 years ago. Today it has become a mainstream psychological concept, practiced and taught as a way to live a more meaningful life.

“Mindfulness in its most general sense is about waking up from a life on automatic, and being sensitive to novelty in our everyday experiences. With mindful awareness the flow of energy and information that is our mind enters our conscious attention and we can both appreciate its contents and come to regulate its flow in a new way.

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HORSES WITH

pEOPLE PROBLEMS The link between your thoughts, emotions and physiology.

Mindful awareness, as we will see, actually involves more than just simply being aware: It involves being aware of aspects of the mind itself. Instead of being on automatic and mindless, mindfulness helps us awaken, and by reflecting on the mind, we are enabled to make choices and thus change becomes possible.” (Dr Dan Siegal)

These skills will help develop a good relationship between you and your horse, as well as help you to be more aware of how and when you are impacting your horse's physiological state.

Mindfulness is a way of paying attention, in the present moment, to our internal and external states. Through this awareness we reflect on our thoughts, feelings, bodily processes as well as our environment and external variables.

Bringing attention to our present moment is done consciously with a sense of alertness, attention to detail, and with kindness and compassion.

Emotions are vital elements of who we are as human beings.

Emotions such as fear, anger, sadness, happiness or even passion, help guide us by telling us when to take a chance on something, when to take a pause, when to trust someone, when to back off, when to forgive and when to move on.

However, emotions only work for us if we truly understand how we are feeling. People who have greater certainty about their feelings are better directors to their own lives, and will be better herd alphas to their horses.

Mindfulness is about training yourself to pay attention in a specific way. When a person is mindful, they: -Focus on the present moment -Try not to think about anything that went on in the past or that might be coming up in future -Purposefully concentrate on what’s happening around them -Try not to be judgmental about anything they notice, or label things as ‘good’ or ‘bad’.

HOW DOES MINDFULNESS HELP? There is a wealth of research on the benefits of mindfulness, which is well beyond the scope of this article. In summary, mindfulness has shown to reduce repetitive thought patterns, improve working memory, increase attention and focus, reduce stress, develop the skill of self-observation, be less impulsive, have better communication, enhanced self-insight, improve general well-being, become more empathetic and develop new ways in which to regulate your emotions.

For riders and general equine enthusiasts, mindfulness improves your ability to be self-aware. Through self-awareness you are able to monitor your emotions, take control of your emotions, be less reactive under stress, be more patient, have deeper compassion and improve your focus on your horse and your ride - AT THE CURRENT MOMENT.

HOW TO BECOME MINDFUL Step 1: Becoming aware of your emotions

To become aware of your emotions you need to give them their time and space. Throughout the day, conduct emotional check-ins with yourself. Ask- How am I feeling now? Why am I feeling this way? What thought is attached to how I feel? Do I like the way I feel? How does the emotion feel within my bodyis it sitting in my chest? In my throat? In my legs? Be present within your entire body as it feels the emotion- like a wave washing over you. Try doing this before, during and after you are with your horse. Did anything change?

Increased awareness can only come from practice. Just as we practice our riding skills consistently each week, self-awareness needs to be practiced. What we practice strengthens.

Step 2: Managing emotions Unlike humans, horses respond immediately to changes in emotions. Horses cannot judge, they do not see something as good or bad. It just is - it merely exists. A great part of mindfulness is being able to accept our emotions, in the moment, without judgment. Feeling angry is not good or bad, it just is. It has consequences, and impacts on us, but it can be both good and bad. By accepting the emotion in the moment we are closer to being able to manage it. caroco.co.za | 30

If we can identify how we feel in the moment, and make a choice to alter it, we are able to control our reactions and become better partners – for both our human and equine counterparts.

If we can identify how we feel in the moment, and make a choice to alter it, we are able to control our reactions and become better partners – for both our human and equine counterparts.

When you feel something ( as you have practiced in step 1), take a moment to pause. Pause and consider what you are feeling.

Breathe, let the emotion wash over you. Think about how this emotion may impact your current moment. How may fear impact your horse? How may being calm or patient impact on him/her? Then react. This reaction comes without impulsion as it is based on mindful thought. You may need to do this several times within 30 minutes in the beginning, but like everything else with practice it will become easier to do.

Feel – Pause – Breathe- Think – React- Repeat If you are interested in learning more about mindfulness there are many videos and articles on the concept that can help increase your understanding of it.

In the next article …

In the next article we will be continuing with our mindfulness discussion and look at how we can use mindfulness to motivate us and recognize emotional states in others (and physiological states in our horses).

31 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Sleeves and Fillers

Equestrian Jumping Equipment We all know the amount of work it takes to maintain a riding arena and consistently make it look beautiful.

Often, jumps like gates, walls, bridges and aqueducts cannot be built in your own arenas due to the work involved and equipment required, and the only time we encounter them is in show jumping events.

Discovery Jump Our PVC sleeves and fillers allow for a lot of variation in jump types - matching sets of sleeves and fillers can be used to build a single jump or beautiful combination jumps, oxers/spreads, triple bars etc. Our PVC products are designed for riding schools as well as personal facilities. They are a safe and easily maintainable alternative to things like traditional picket fences. Not only will your arena look great,the various fillers will give you and your horse good practice for show jumping events.

Our light weight standard water trays, manufactured with foam sides are perfect for training and personal arenas, while our very high quality range of exclusive water trays with sound welded crush proof edges are used in graded show jumping events around South Africa.

www.sleevesandfillers.co.za Breathing Life into Your Arena

THE TROTTING TRESTLE ARTIST/EQUESTRIAN

‘My work gets inspired, driven and fuelled by the beauty of the horse. I love working in oil paint, especially on a larger scale to capture the energy and grace of the horse’. caroco.co.za | 38

Clea and Bo Why do you do what you do? Simply as I love horses and I love art and I am able to combine the two. Can’t imagine anything better than that!

How did the Trotting Trestle come to be? It was by chance. I attended a small art class at the beginning of 2010 whereby I wanted to attempt my first painting of a horse. As I arrived at the art class I panicked and realized I could not possibly do this painting as I had not touched a paint brush in 20 years. Quickly I mentioned, I will be doing a painting of a LEMON instead of the horse! Thank goodness the art teacher persuaded me otherwise and so I completed my first horse painting. I actually got my first commission while I was still busy with my first painting. I knew straight away this is what I want to be doing full time.

An artist's studio space is always interesting - tell us about yours? My studio is naturally my sanctuary, in a little Wendy house in the garden, surrounded by trees in a very quiet area. Often I’ll take my easel out in the garden and set up a space under the trees.

What is the most challenging piece you've completed? To be honest all my paintings have their fair share of challenges, but I do have one that is still incomplete. . . Been working on it for 4 years! A very big piece which I seriously need to finish this year.

What is your favourite artwork from your collection and why? My favourite has to be BIG RED, a painting I had done of my horse BO. It best captures his nature and energy. It was also the start of a new style of work that l love doing.

What does being creative mean to you? To me it means just letting go! There are no right or wrong or guidelines to follow. The success lies in staying true to yourself and enjoying the process. It’s not always easy, but you have to work through it until you find what you are happy with.

All this time creating and sharing your art with fellow equestrians, is there a specific commission / piece sold that stands out to you and why? When I think back so many artworks jump to mind, each with their own special story and so they all remain special to me. I always ask my clients to share their stories of the horse and their relationship with that horse. Gives me a better understanding and helps me create that artwork.

It’s really important that my clients recognize that something special of their horse in their painting.

What kind of creative patterns, routines or rituals do you have? I always start with a clean, organized studio, well, I try to start each morning like that. The beginning is always the same. Taking the time to get the horse onto canvas, I don’t trace or use projectors as this is a time where I get to know the lines, the details. Almost like putting down a map of where I will be going. Thereafter, each one takes a different route and a different approach.

Which medium do you enjoy working with and why? OIL paint! I love oil paint, I love its richness and its many possibilities. It allows you to be bold or gentle, with the slightest mark you can make an eye come to life, sun kiss the mane, bring in movement and atmosphere, guess the sky’s the limit.

Which creative medium would you love to pursue, but haven’t yet? I would love to learn how to do a sculpture, definitely something I plan to pursue!

39 | Carousel Collective April 2017

Where do you believe your creativity comes from? My parents, especially my mother who has incredible talent but also my father who shared his love of art with me since I was a little girl.

What art movement or artist would you say influences your work most? I love the old masters, unfortunately my work does not look anything like it. But I have a huge love and respect for the old masters such as Rembrandt, da Vinci, Stubbs, and Vermeer. Their dramatic use of light and dark is something I want to pursue more often.

What would you be doing if you weren’t an artist? My old job. . . Graphic designer Do you have anything exciting that you are working on at the moment? Yes, I do! A beautiful Arabian Mare with the name DG St Tropez.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists? It’s important to find your own way, your own style, keep exploring. Paint. Draw and create what inspires you. You can't sit back and wait for inspiration to find you, you have to just find it within you everyday !

Tell us a bit more about the horses in your life? I have a beautiful Percheron gelding with the name Bo. He is this typical gentle giant who stole my heart the first time I laid eyes on him.

How long have you been riding for? I rode for a few years during my teenage years and only after I started riding again at the age of 42 did I finally get my own horse. What a childhood dream come true.

What do you love doing with your horse when you have time to spare? I love taking him for a walk down to the dam or simply standing in his paddock after an outride. Just stand, be still and listen.

Besides horses, what else inspires you? My family and all my animals!

If you were commissioned to paint a world-renowned horse, which horse would you want it to be? Secretariat, such an inspiring story of both horse and family.

How do you bring yourself to part with all your lovely artworks, was that something you struggled with in the beginning? I still struggle with this, it’s as if they take a part of me with them when they go.

41 | Carousel Collective February 2017

‘where possible I prefer to meet the horse in person.

This gives me the chance to get a feel of the horse, a better understanding of the horse’s nature, capturing it’s essence and creating a work of art.’ caroco.co.za | 42

Corporate Events | Product Launches | Displays | Birthday Parties School visits and Outings | Group Tours | Fundraisers and all Special Events

lipizzaners.co.za | lipizzaner@hixnet.co.za | 079 716 4792

Valegro DressageSuperstar

‘He always wants to please you, he goes into that arena to do his best, he never lets you down, he's with you all the way, he's my best friend and my partner, the fact that he is such a willing horse is what makes him very special. ’ — Charlotte Dujardin In a clip from a horse and country video covering Valegro's journey, Carl Hester describes him as a 4,5 and 6-year-old champion and one of the most intelligent horses they have ever had. ‘At four years old you could put your leg back across the diagonal and he would do a flying change’, said Carl Carl also describes him as a very kind horse, with his handsome face, kind eye and endless talent, it's no wonder the world fell in love with him the way they did, he epitomizes great talent and amiability. Initially the idea was for Charlotte to develop the novice Dutch Warmblood gelding and for Carl to ride him in competitions, but things worked out differently and Charlotte continued riding Valegro with Carl coaching them. Charlotte and Valegro’s iconic dressage career has given young aspiring riders the world over the opportunity to witness a truly beautiful, inspiring and unforgettable partnership. Charlotte described it perfectly, when she said ‘Valegro has gone beyond my dreams.’

47 | Carousel Collective April 2017

According to Charlotte, Valegro is not a cuddly, kissy kind of horse despite her many attempts, but apparently, he does love his food and he’ll gladly love you, if you have food for him.

When she was asked about his retirement she burst into tears at the thought that once retired, he would no longer be with them at shows, describing him as the kind of horse that can turn the worst of days into a good day.

At the age of 14 and at the very top of his game, Charlotte made the decision to retire Valegro, her reason being, that he has given her his absolute everything and that there is nothing more she could ask or expect of him. The team went out of their way to ensure that the dressage star would not be sold on and would retire with them.

Valegro now enjoys his retirement at his yard in Newent with Carl, his groom Alan and Charlotte, being spoiled with his favourite treats and frolicking around the paddock to his heart’s content with ten Olympic, world and European gold medals under his girth, with his own, biography, children's book series, a gold Breyer model, and a rocking horse replica of himself by the Stevenson brothers, along with the reputation of being the world's greatest dressage horse. It may be a very long time till we have the privilege of seeing another horse of his calibre in the ring again, but as Dr Seuss would put it, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.’

10 Interesting facts about Valegro: 1. When Charlotte first rode Valegro, the two initial things that struck her were his trainability and sheer power: “When he was younger he used to be able to canter down the long side of the arena in about four strides! I rode him at a dressage judge convention when he was a lot younger and Stephen Clarke (a top judge) said that he wouldn’t award Valegro a 10 for his canter because he didn’t think he was going to be able to collect…”

2. The way to Valegro’s heart is with food — there is nothing he loves more.

One of the greatest creatures God ever created — Alastair Stewart, OBE

caroco.co.za | 48

‘He’s off this planet, one in a million, we’re just very lucky we‘re apart of his life.’ — Carl Hester 3. He gets turned out at home throughout the summer and when there is the odd dry day in the winter. “It’s part of Carl’s routine for all of the horses, even the stallions like Uthopia,” says Charlotte.

4. Valegro is always up for his training. “He’s naturally a very hot, keen horse who loves his work. He doesn’t have a weakness — I’m so lucky,” says Charlotte.

5. Valegro isn’t a ‘worrier’ if he makes a mistake in the school, but equally he doesn’t like to get it wrong: “We can just brush it off and do it again,” says Charlotte.

6. Charlotte has never fallen off Valegro.

7. Charlotte says if Valegro were human he would almost definitely be overweight! He would be very independent and fairly smart too, but not a geek or goody-goody, as when you groom him, for example, he immediately has to go and roll to get dirty again. He would also be very good looking of course.

8. Charlotte described her fondest memory with Valegro as “definitely winning individual gold at the Olympics in London — it was such a surprise to win, I really had no expectation at all. Another great moment was at the World Equestrian Games (WEG) this year — riding down the last centre line in the grand prix I was welling up — I never cry and I was like ‘oh my God I haven’t even finished yet, don’t cry, I won’t be able to see where I’m going!’ But I knew he had given me his all and tried his best and it made me feel so emotional.”

9. An average week in the life of Valegro consists of schooling on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He then hacks on Wednesday and Saturday and has Sunday off.

10. Valegro is hacked out by Tricia Gardiner, a member of Britain’s dressage team at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, who is now aged 77. “Mentally she still thinks she’s a teenager but obviously physically this isn’t the case — she finds it hard to walk and get on a horse now,” says Charlotte. “She literally drags Blueberry (as he is known at home) to the highest mounting block she can find and makes him stand in a position which is good for her to climb on from, faffs around a bit and drags herself up — you would honestly look at him and think he was a bog-standard, happy hacker. He then goes up the road with her, eating his way through any hedge he can find — she really needs some grass reins to keep him on the straight and narrow! It’s hilarious to watch. You then put him in the arena and he becomes this out and out performer”.

Horseandhound.co.uk Carlhester.co.uk Olympia Horse Show Images Facebook/Valegro Instagram/Charlotte

49 | Carousel Collective April 2017

‘Dressage will never be the same again when Valegro goes’ — Alan Davies

‘Between them they have transformed dressage’ — Clare Balding

‘Valegro is dressage’s first truly transcendent star’ — Oliver Brown

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