Arioneo and the French Equestrian Federation have joined forces in an initiative dedicated to health, well-being and performance for equine athletes. As part of this collaboration, the Federation has made EQUISYM solutions available to the French teams.
As part of this collaboration, we were lucky enough to interview professional show jumping rider Olivier Perreau. Take a behind-the-scenes look at how the rider prepared for the big event ahead. How did EQUISYM come to be a preventive tool in the follow-up of his leading mare, GL Events*Dorai d’Aiguilly?
Olivier Perreau, professional show-jumper
Could you please introduce yourself?
I’m Olivier Perreau, professional show jumper and breeder of sport horses.
Who is your lead horse for 2024 and what are your goals?
This year, GL Events*Dorai d’Aiguilly is the lead mare. The objective was the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
She’s a mare we know by heart because she was born here. We’ve climbed the ladder little by little. Two years ago, we realized that she had great potential. Last year, our goal was to go to the European championships. We came a fine eighth at these championships and then a fine Nations Cup final. After that, our number-one objective was to qualify for the Olympic Games.
To prepare for such competitions, what is your training plan without putting your horse in a bad condition?
We drew up a whole program to gradually get him into shape by that date. We targeted the really important competitions in which we had to take part, and then, at the end of that, try to get her in shape for those competitions each time. She goes out several times a day, she’s really pampered, we try to take care of her as much as possible so that she’s in shape, it’s very important.
What is your vet’s role?
The vet’s role is to come in about once a month. He comes to check that the mare is physically well, that her gaits are regular. He comes more for prevention, to keep the mare in good physical shape.
Can you tell us about your use of EQUISYM?
EQUISYM is a really great tool, which we use every Monday morning. We install the device on the mare and all the sensors and then we see if sometimes there’s a tiny irregularity that we might not see with the naked eye or feel when we’re on it. It’s really a great tool for prevention.
What do you think of this kind of technological advance in health and performance monitoring?
All these techniques are part of prevention, they’re always a plus, they help us enormously. It’s a plus because, of course, we have our eye, our feeling, but using this device allows us to see if there really is even a tiny difference. It gives us an immediate warning that, if taken in time, can help prevent this little injury from worsening, and of course that’s very important, I think.
Do you think wellness and high performance are compatible?
At top level, we take great care of our horses and we need them to be at 100%. Of course high-level competition horses are pampered, that’s important and that’s what’s needed, because they have to be in good physical and mental shape, that’s the number one base otherwise there wouldn’t be any results.
How do you feel about this upcoming event?
The date of the Olympic Games is fast approaching and I don’t know if I’m fully aware of it yet. I’m going to try to be in my element, to do what I know how to do with my mare. My mare is ready and I’m ready, so we’re going to give it our all.
