ENGLISH TEXTS
very difficult to reach this point. Thanks to Matilda in Germany and Lesslepasser in France, it proved to me that I was capable of competing at Group level. It obviously gives me motivation for this new year.” Motivated and determined, Frida Valle Skar, who celebrated her 28 th birthday on February 5, has everything it takes to become the new star of the weighing room in 2026.
MEE- TING
BACK TO ARTICLE
SAINT GODEFROY, IN THE NAME OF HIS OWN!
BY EMMANUEL RIVRON
Partners since 2019, Philippe Very popular thanks to the longevity of its performers, cross-country once again delivered its share of emotions in early February in the latest edition of the Grand Cross de Pau. Winning this prestigious event for the second time at the age of 11, Saint Godefroy was not necessarily expected to shine on such an occasion, but once again he managed to rise to the occasion, to the great delight of Maud Quinton, who shares ownership of the stable’ s favorite with her parents.
MAUD QUINTON
“ MY ELDEST DAUGH- TER COMMENTED ON THE RACE FOR ME” The eldest daughter of Patricia Lebocey and Patrice Quinton, Maud Quinton had the joy of seeing her colors triumph for the second time in the Grand Cross de Pau. She looks back on this very special day.
GALORAMA. How were you approaching this new participation in the Grand Cross de Pau?
Maud Quinton. This year, we managed to fool him and Saint Godefroy didn’ t realize he was heading to Pau. Since he’ s intelligent, he usually knows when he’ s going to race. In those cases, he’ s unbearable, jumps on the spot and gets very stressed.
G. Where did you experience your horse’ s victory this year?
M. Q. As I’ m too stressed to go there in person, I stayed at home with my two daughters, Lola and Adèle, my lucky charms. Because I’ m too afraid at every obstacle, it was my eldest who commented on the race for me. Lola is also a fan of Saint Godefroy, the stable’ s mascot, and she takes her role to heart despite being only five and a half. I started watching once the final hurdle had been cleared and, from that moment on, I screamed. Throughout the Grand Cross day, I was in contact with my partner Jordan( Editor’ s note: Duchêne, former jockey), who always takes him to the races. We kept calling each other during the day and saying that all this rain was like gold falling from the sky. I enjoyed this victory much more than the previous one, because that year we had lost Parc Monceau, my sister Lisa’ s favorite, who jumps Saint Godefroy at home during training. As for me, I ride him every morning.
G. How does he behave on a daily basis?
M. Q. He’ s delicate, as my colleagues have to do everything for him. Saint Godefroy is such a competitor that he always needs to be in front in a group. If a horse passes him, he attacks to put him back behind. He’ s the boss: he has to dominate. And if he finds himself alone, he panics, even at 11 years old.
G. How has Saint Godefroy recovered from this victory?
M. Q. He wasn’ t blowing after the race and really didn’ t have a hard time. He’ s doing very well and was already jumping in the walker two or three days after the race. He has a lot of mental strength and will now prepare for next winter’ s cross-country races. And to think that at the start of his career, I didn’ t want my father to direct him toward cross-country. My father was right not to listen to me!
PATRICIA LEBOCEY
“ I DREAMED OF LIV- ING ON A RANCH” Staying in Dragey, 800 kilo-
# 17 168