ENGLISH TEXTS hurdle or defend her crown in the mare ’ s race .
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Galopin des champs “ It ’ s quite magical and prestigious to see one of the horses you ’ ve bred shine at Cheltenham . We went there last year and it was incredible . As a youngster , Galopin was very calm for a thoroughbred , maybe because he was the only galloper among a group of trotters . When we see his sister out in the pasture , we give her a pat and think fondly of him .”
LOSSIEMOUTH “ Lossiemouth has always been the most beautiful , even though she is currently among the smaller horses by size in the Mullins stable . Her dam , Mariner ’ s Light , is a half-sister to Gr . 1 winner Lord Glitters and comes from a very active NH family . She went through the sales at two but didn ’ t attract any bids . We decided to keep her with our long-time partner , Ian Kellit , and this success is a wonderful achievement for him as well . Winning at Cheltenham is truly extraordinary . Races in England are a real celebration , and winning a race brings even more intense emotion .”
Cécile Madamet , Elevage des Vallons
IMPAIRE ET PASSE “ I wish everyone could experience this , especially as small breeders like us , with only five broodmares . It ’ s a dream come true . This is an extraordinary horse from an incredible family . We bought his second dam , Kel Écossaise , and kept his dam ,
Brune Écossaise , who showed great mental on the track . She produces foals that don ’ t immediately stand out but are well-built and beautiful . They truly blossom at 4 or 5 years old , with an exceptional physique and an athletic temperament — full of energy but without nervousness . Impaire et Passe has exceptional move and a remarkable mindset . The emotions are even more intense because he didn ’ t just win one Group 1 .”
Pascale Papon , breeder with her husband Eric Papon ,
Haras de Peyre .
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PONEYS
� PAGE 122 by Bérengère Rossignol
IT ’ S A CHILDHOOD STORY
Close your eyes for just a second and dive in : your knees are scraped , your hair is messy , you ’ re always missing something , you ’ re hungry all day , snack time is sacred and friends are life . Got it ? Do you remember ? You ’ re 9 or 10-year-olds , the sun is shining , it ’ s warm , it ’ s summer and school is already a distant memory . You ’ re taken to the Lion-d ’ Angers racecourse in July , and you ’ re about to experience an enchanted weekend you could only dream of !
A hundred children , and at least as many parents , come from all over France : the West , the Center , Paris region , Normandy , Southwest , and the Southeast . Many already know each other , while others meet for the first time . The kids from the South speak with a different accent , but once on horseback , it doesn ’ t matter . These are the early days of the SIPA , where amateur competition riders gather to prepare with the “ second chance “ stables for a wild derby . You have pitched the tent , parked the caravan , found guesthouses and hammocks are strung between trucks … The atmosphere is festive , like a summer camp : a flurry of sleeping bags , poorly brushed teeth and morning brioche shared among everyone . Chairs are set up near the stables , and there ’ s even a TV to follow the Tour de France . The parents have it all planned , the trailers hitched to trucks because over a hundred ponies are arriving and settling in . Poneys au Galop is overseeing things , and volunteers from Au Galop en Anjou have organized buffets and grouped kids under the guidance of a dozen jockeys and trainers who have come to spend two days with you . You have one , two , maybe three ponies to work with , and on Saturday , you have two main goals : learn and have fun . By Sunday , it ’ s all about giving it your all to win ! Bare arms , heads protected by helmets and sneakers laced by parents who are constantly on the move , leading ponies , watching the groups , catching runaways and soothing the injured . Thankfully , hospitality in the West is top-notch , with a refreshment stand nearby to quench their thirst . Impromptu naps are taken under the trees and water fights help shake off the drowsiness . There ’ s dust everywhere , but smiles never leave your faces and time seems to
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