Charlotte Casiraghi's equestrian career
 

I hope we can share and learns lots of information from this thread. I was inspired to make this thread from a discussion about horses with Empress Merel in Charlotte's current events, and I hope it's OK.

Charlotte's latest horse:
GI Joe, bay gelding, age?

Here's a list of some horses, with pics, Charlotte rode in her teenage years:

Tempete du Midi (Grey gelding or stallion?)
https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9608/spsjr0.jpg (worldroots)
https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/18/tdmtj7.jpg (worldroots)

Danube (chestnut)
Charlotte test rode this horse on 14 May 2001. She was still under the training of Philippe Rozier (Thierry's brother).
https://i29.tinypic.com/2als20.jpg

Hestia Delta (bay mare)
Charlotte rode this horse in the Stars Race, October 2001.
https://i31.tinypic.com/5mz8zs.jpg (ABACA)

Folka du Parc Marionnaud(chestnut mare, born in 1993, parentage: Laudanum x Polka de l'Isle)
This horse's career dates to April 2001 (at least, maybe earlier) and Charlotte began to ride him/her in February 2002. After 2003, she wasn't seen riding Folka anymore but Folka continued in competition with other Marionnaud riders, like Valentine Pozzo di Borgo & Thierry Rozier.
https://i29.tinypic.com/29tl52.jpg (IBL/gamma)

Dumba Marionnaud (bay)
https://i30.tinypic.com/33davl0.jpg (IBL/gamma)

Claire Chen (bay mare, supposedly owned by Madame Clerc, wife of singer Julien Clerc)

Aber Hallo Marionnaud
White/"grey" mare she rode (not in competition, just practice with Thierry Rozier & Pierre) in October 2004.. She rode Aber before @ the Bois le Roi/Espace Rozier jumping in December 2003, and apparently did very well then, placing first in one of the competitions. Also rode this horse @ Bois le Roi jumping on 20 November 2004. This was presumably her last competition before the hiatus.
https://i44.tinypic.com/9tn1jd.jpg (eternal muse)

Wonder why nobody thought of this before:whistling:. But thank you for starting this. Anyway, I hope we can ask questions here as I don't know much about the sport. What type of training does Charlotte have to do in preparation? I read something a little while ago about weight training? Can anybody be more specific and does that have something to do with the abs she's got (I would love to have abs like that) or is that non-horse related?

Charlotte was about ten years old when she began to prepare for jumping. Apparently, her first trainer was Eric Wauters, the father of her friend Wendy, but he committed suicide in 1999. Then her trainer was Philippe Rozier, but after 2000, I guess he had to focus entirely on his own career, because his brother Thierry stepped in as her trainer. When she went on hiatus in 2004, Thierry focused on his own career, but as of this year, he seems to be her coach again.

English seat equitation (quite different from Western) involves about every muscle in your body, since you are mostly out of the saddle on two-point (balls of your feet, your calves), and use your hands, lightly, to control direction. You, of course, need your abs engaged when cantering (either full seat contact, or in two point) as you approach a jump. Your body is tight in the two point position because you have balance in a slightly bent position over the horse and maintain that contact at high speeds and over jumps - IT'S GREAT!!

Indeed it is. Even though I'm a dressage maniac, nothing is as exciting when Meredith, Jessica or Albert (Even more his horse. Powerhouse) enter the ring. Amazing. Too bad the sport get's ruined so much with doping and jury's.

First a big thank you for starting this thread!!!

For those who do Pilates workouts, riding tightens your core at the same time, it works as an isometric for your legs. You also need muscle strength in your arms. Then there is the brain function. Riders must be able to multi-task quickly. In one horse's stride length you may need to change your game plan. That's a nano-second. Life skills-- in order to do this sport and maintain a high grade point average, you have to learn to be very organized, master time management, and handle pressure. Unlike other team sports, riding requires you to "read" your teammate (horse) since he only speaks in body language. You learn to be a very keen observer. All this skills help later in life. Lastly, falling off a horse, especially on a cross country course is like being pushed out of a car at 10mph. In terms of risk, it ranks right up there with alpine ski jumping. It's not for the faint of heart.

I edit my first post. I had listed a horse as unknown, this horse turns out to be Aber Hallo Marionnaud, listed as a grey mare. Aber's father was Archipel, mother was Wanda, and father of mother was Wagner.

There's a picture of Charlotte riding Aber on this article: Bois le Roi fait place aux jeunes! | Cavadeos.com - C’est tout le monde du cheval

I found an old TRF post about a success Charlotte and Aber had together. :smile:
Maybe the horse Charlotte bought last weekend we will see at the GCT final in Doha?!

Charlotte & Claire Chen (bay mare) on 30 April 2004 @ L'Etrier Club
https://i28.tinypic.com/xf515l.jpg
https://i32.tinypic.com/mi1mz8.jpg

Charlotte with Danube & Wendy Wauters, and trainer Philippe Rozier, 15 May 2001
https://i32.tinypic.com/2s142g0.jpg
https://i29.tinypic.com/wi0mdv.jpg

Charlotte & Folka in Fontainebleau on 3 May 2002
https://i29.tinypic.com/9s5qbl.jpg

Charlotte & Aber Hallo in Espace Rozier on 20 November 2004
https://i26.tinypic.com/2aaleux.jpg

Charlotte & Dumba in Bois le Roi on 21 September 2003
https://i31.tinypic.com/2libk3l.jpg

HESTIA DELTA? Presumably a bay mare?
I don't know what Andy's horse was called, but I think Charlotte's was called Hestia Delta.
Charlotte & Andrea in jockey school to prepare for the Stars Race @ La Solle, Fontainebleau (6 October 2001)
https://i26.tinypic.com/mh99ol.jpg
https://i29.tinypic.com/10rs8z7.jpg
Charlotte & Andrea actually competing in the Stars Race, 13 October 2001
https://i25.tinypic.com/1zl4313.jpg
https://i28.tinypic.com/2410802.jpg
https://i29.tinypic.com/29kpcnt.jpg

Finally, Charlotte & her majestic GI Joe:
https://i28.tinypic.com/2w326gk.jpg
https://i32.tinypic.com/2rqkdop.jpg
https://i32.tinypic.com/4jkpd1.jpg
GI Joe carrying a canine passenger, hehe
https://i29.tinypic.com/28i3fa8.jpg
https://i25.tinypic.com/ozcdd.jpg (precious)

Photo sources: IBL, BEW, ABACA and Korpa

Charlotte one lucky girl she gets to ride horses and she as a cute pup..she has an extraordinary life.

I don't know whose pup that is. It is surely not Charlotte's dog, nor is it Romeo, the family french bulldog. I guess it's Daphne, Tatiana's boston terrier?

Thx for all the pics CasiraghiTrio. I didn't know Andrea used to ride too. Shame he didn't stay with it.

She always has a toned body when she is riding so much, hasn't she?

It is a rare picture when Andy or Pierre are on horseback but here is a pic of Pierre on a black beauty during the family hunting trip in Extremadura, Spain, in November 2002.
https://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...carolina7a.jpg
The source: hola.com

There was another time I saw Pierre on a horse. He rode with Charlotte in Bois le Roi in October 2004. She rode the white beauty Aber Hallo and he rode beside her. It was on ABACA Press. I'll try to find it.

Just cleaned thread. Let's set some ground rules. We are here to discuss Charlotte Casiraghi's equestrian achievements. That does not include our personal accomplishments and personal conversations. Please take those to Members' Corner.

Thanks for your cooperation, :flowers:

Mandy
Monaco Moderator

Tempete du Midi & 2001 Monte-Carlo jumping event
 

Charlotte was 14. Her teammate was Tempete du Midi.
See pictures:
https://img26.imageshack.us/img26/9608/spsjr0.jpg (worldroots)
https://img27.imageshack.us/img27/18/tdmtj7.jpg (worldroots)

Results
7th Jumping International de Monte-Carlo @ Espace Fontvieille
Thursday, 13 April 2001
PRIX DE LA CHOCOLATERIE DE MONACO (90cm pony jumping)
Charlotte rode Tempete du Midi & ranked #14 out of 21 riders.

PRIX BCM / POMELLATO (pony/horse relay)
Charlotte participated in the relay with Wendy Wauters, Charlotte on Tempete du Midi and Wendy on Goldika. They won 1st ranking out of 10 riders.
Source: Jumping International de Monte-Carlo

Friday, 14 April 2001
PRIX DE LA CHOCOLATERIE DE MONACO
Charlotte & Tempete du Midi did the 90cm pony jump.
They ranked #18/21 riders.
Source: Jumping International de Monte-Carlo

Saturday, 15 April 2001
GRAND PRIX DE LA CHOCOLATERIE DE MONACO (1m pony jumping)
Charlotte competed in the 1m (or 1.00 m) jumping for ponies. Her final ranking was 6/20 riders. Her teammate (horse) was Tempete du Midi.

PRIX BCM / POMELLATO (pony/horse relay)
She teamed up with Wendy Wauters. Charlotte rode Tempete du Midi. Wendy rode Goldika. They ranked @ 9/10 riders.
Source: Jumping International de Monte-Carlo

Thursday, 26 April 2001
PRIX DE LA CHOCOLATERIE DE MONACO (International Pony)
Charlotte & Tempete did the 1m20 (with clock). They ranked @ #10/15.
Source: 7 éme Jumping International de Monte-Carlo 26 avril

Same day, they did the 1m10 pony (2 phases) for the same prize. They ranked #7/13.
Source: 7 éme Jumping International de Monte-Carlo 26 avril

Friday, 27 April 2001
PRIX DE LA CHOCOLATERIE DE MONACO (international pony)
Charlotte & Tempete du Midi did the 1m10 (with clock). They tied with another rider @ 13/13 riders.
Source: 7 éme Jumping International de Monte-Carlo 26 avril

31 May - 2 June 2002, Compiègne jumping
On the 31st May, Charlotte ranked #6/20 riders.
On the 1st of June, Charlotte ranked @ #10 (right behind Sandrine Roussel).
On the 2nd of June, Charlotte & Folka participated in the CSIJ-B (junior level) jumping in Compiègne, France. They were on the list to compete for the Grand Prix Cogedim but were among 5 eliminated riders. Like the other eliminated riders, they were awarded 4 points.
Valentine Pozzo di Borgo (riding "Gavroch des Chenes") and Sandrine Roussel (on "Echo d'Ora) ranked, respectively, #1 and #2 for the same prize.
Source: Fédération Française d'Equitation - La FFE - Lettre federale - Lettre ffe47

8TH JUMPING INTERNATIONAL DE MONTE-CARLO
Thursday, 25 April 2002
Charlotte & Folka finished #2 in the Chocolaterie de Monaco/Friends Cup.

Friday, 26 April 2002
1m10, Table A, against clock, class B
Charlotte & Folka did very well, rankin 6/15.

Saturday, 27 April 2002
1m20, Table A (one jump off against clock), class C
Charlotte and Folka ranked #11/14
Their clock time was 69.95
They took 5 penalties.
Source: Friends Cup

28-30 November 2003
Jumping International de Paris @ the Porte de Versailles
Source: Caroline et Charlotte de Monaco, marraines du Concours Hippique International de Paris 2003 (communiqué) - Communiqués de presse - Equitation - Sport.fr

Some info. from CCBI

She also rode Dumba in a competition @ Chantilly, but I don't know anything about that event.

9th Jumping International de Monte-Carlo
Friday, 12 April 2003
Charlotte & Folka ranked #2/24 in the Friends Cup by Cavalier/1m10, class A against clock. Their time was 28.37

CSIJ-B jumping in Bois le Roi
5-7 December 2003
Charlotte rode Aber Hallo in the Grand Prix Marionnaud. They ranked #11/11, took 4 penalties and clocked 75.67

She and Aber participated in the Bois le Roi jumping on 19 November 2004.
They did the 1m30 and the 1m25.

****

After a four-year hiatus (mostly engaged in studies, writing, and social events) Charlotte mounted GI Joe for a horse show in Barbizon, France in April 2009.

She went on to join the GCT @ Valencia, Estoril, Monte-Carlo, Rio de Janeiro, and Valkenswaard (Global Champions Tour)

I think it looks like Daphne...who was featured in Vanity Fair along with Andrea and Tatiana...simply adorable!


Thanks SO much for posting these...GI Joe is a magnificent horse, and Charlotte looks magnificent on him as well!

But I loved Tempete as well...I wonder what ever became of him? Charlotte rides beautiful horses.

And I am sooo happy that Charlotte has resumed her riding career...I was very disappointed when she took a break. She is so awesome on horseback.

More than likely, Tempete has been retired. If you think of a competiton jumper's prime years, it's 7-15. It's been 7 years since we really saw this horse at it's heyday. Also he sems to have run out of jump at 1.20 meter. The Grand Prix/high amateur division is 1.45-1.60m.

When she rode Tempete du Midi, her sponsor was the company Fortis (Swiss watches, www.fortis-watch.com). Then in early 2002, she was riding Folka from the Team Marionnaud, sponsored by the perfume company of the same name (Marionnaud). Now she rides GI Joe, apparently under the sponsorship of the Principality of Monaco. But maybe she will ride a new horse, purchased at the Fences auction, at the GCT final in Qatar.

It helps improve your skills to switch horses over time so that you grow and are challenged. I'm sure it's nothing against the horses or trainers (although, sometimes new instruction helps to grow, too) - more that she needs to grow and continuously improve upon her current skills to get to the next level. I wish her the best, and will continue to follow her equestrian career. Maybe we'll see more wins and interviews in the future!

^With the exception of Eric Wauters & Phil Rozier in her childhood riding days, she's had the same trainer, Thierry, since she was 15! Maybe Eric would have stuck longer but he committed suicide in 1999.... :sad: