This week we are speaking to some of the grooms who will be heading to Versailles in a couple of weeks time.
Louise Barraud is groom to King Edward (Henrik Von Eckermann) and is going to Paris as part of the Swedish jumping team - and as groom to the leader of the World Rankings.
What does it mean to you to be heading to Paris in a few weeks?
I’m very excited to attend the Olympics in Paris. It is one of, if not the biggest sporting event in the world so I'm really looking forward to going there.
And for me, being half French half Swedish, it is something special competing for one of my home countries in the other home country.
I’m honored and I feel lucky to be part of it. Of course a bit stressed but that will get worse once we are there I guess 😂.
What has been your favourite experience in your career so far?
Well I have many experiences that marked my career... I’ve been lucky to experience so many things in quite a short time!
So it’s hard to choose but probably the World Championships in Herning as it was my first Championship ever - and I’d say this year the World Cup Final in Riyadh.
Do you have any advice for grooms heading to their first Championship or Olympics?
Well it will be my first Olympics so honestly I don’t know, but I’m going try and keep the same routine and make it as normal as possible for the horse.
It’s important that they feel good and relaxed, so I will just try to do everything as we do usually on the show I’d say.
Thank you to Louise for taking the time to answer our questions - all of us at the IGA wish you good luck for Paris!
Photo credit Helen Cruden.
