ENGLISH TEXTS
( 2014 , female riders ), and the 2012 European female rider champion title . Her opinion , however , is quite clear-cut . “ I prefer cross-country . Hurdles are amazing too - really technical . You have to choose your lines carefully , and it requires incredible dressage work . Jump racing does not tolerate mediocrity . The great races at Auteuil are my absolute favorite . That said , a race is a race : you have to anticipate , feel your horse , and sense the others in the field “. When asked which horse gave her the most thrilling experience , the temple of jump racing comes galloping back into the conversation : “ Vizir d ’ Estruval . When I won at Auteuil with him , after the big open ditch , he gained so much ground I thought all the other competitors had fallen . His locomotion and acceleration were extraordinary . He was truly an exceptional horse “. Between a Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris and a Prix d ’ Amérique , however , her heart hesitates . Though she admits she hasn ’ t ridden a thoroughbred since 2020 - “ I chose to stop at my peak , ending on good feelings “— trotting remains her other great passion . Alongside her equine services business , she has chosen to specialize as a trainer in this discipline , with only two horses so far : Guerrier Castelets ( 9 years old ) and J ’ y suis j ’ y reste ( 6 years old ). Her stats are highly encouraging : 4 wins and 10 places in 22 races . Trotting , but preferably harness trotting . “ I don ’ t particularly like mounted trotting -unless you have really good horses , especially as an amateur . Otherwise , it ’ s not always that exciting . I enjoy harness racing much more - it ’ s more technical . The first time you sit on a sulky , you get an incredible sense of speed “. Her horse Guerrier Castelets has rewarded her passion well . He gave her her first win as a trainer , owner , and driver at Vincennes . Since she took charge of him in May 2023 , he has secured four wins , including her first Quinté + victory last February . “ Honestly , I didn ’ t even know it was a Quinté +,“ she laughs . “ He ’ s an exceptional horse . He was very difficult at first , but he ’ s finally grown out of his rebellious phase “. As time goes on , Barbara Guénet believes trotters are becoming more like thoroughbreds . “ They ’ re very spirited and responsive , just like purebreds “. The comparison extends to training as well : like Louis Baudron , Guénet — who winters in Grosbois and will soon summer in Utah Beach , where she recently bought a small house — sees several similarities between trotting and jump racing . “ Both require shaping and mechanical precision . A trotter ’ s gait at high speed is not natural — it takes a lot of preparation , just like teaching a horse to jump quickly and accurately “. Her love for horses transcends all disciplines . “ I love horses more than racing , whatever the discipline . And I can ’ t say I prefer one over the others — that would be like favoring one child over another , which wouldn ’ t be fair “. Her son , Léo , has recently begun following in her footsteps . “ My goal is for him to win wearing my colors “. Pierre Corneille might whisper to her , “ To noble souls , valor waits not for years “.
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2025 : A NEW BEGINNING
Barbara has given us the privilege of announcing that 2025 will mark the launch of her new fitness venture . Indeed , in collaboration with the Terry family , a thalassotherapy center will be established in the commune of Utah Beach . This facility , reflecting Barbara ’ s versatility , will cater to both trotters and gallopers . It will feature highquality infrastructures , including unrestricted beach access , a walker , treadmill , solarium , paddocks with shelters , a jumping arena , and a 900-meter sand gallop track . There is no doubt that those who stay there will be pampered .
MAIN Saint Macaire on the crosscountry course of Compiègne . © Barbara Guénet
PAGE 81 - TOP Vizir d ’ Estruval . © Barbara Guénet
PAGE 81 - TOP Barbara teamed up with Iquito Planchette during one of their victories at Vincennes . © APRH
PAGE 82 New Outlook on a Prix de Diane day . © Mélina Lombard
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