Like we all know, specifically in France, this summer is a sporting one with the launching of Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The most important and sports event of the World, gathering on July 26th thousands of sportsmen and women, coaches, and supporters. So, we have thought, that communicate this sport spirit all along the summer, to the workers and holidaymakers will be such a pleasant idea.
Let’s start officially with this blog articles series : "Abyss Ingredients at the heart of sport" dedicated to sport practice of our athletes, but also our Abyss team… Stay tuned!
Portrait of the day: Claire Le Grand
Claire Le Grand is our Sales and Marketing Manager at Abyss. Beyond her commitment, her will, and rigour at work since 5 five years, discover her from a different side: sport and specifically horse-riding.
Claire started horse-riding when she was only 6 years old (just that) and never get tired of. After she tried cross-country running, swimming or tennis, it is finally her passion for horse-riding which has persisted until now. |  |
Today, she handles at once her manager career and her passion for horse-riding and sport.
We are very proud to present a little part of her sport through this interview.
What values does sport pass on to you?
«Regarding values, I think that horse riding has really helped me to develop a form of energy. The whole competitive aspect, the fighting spirit, always wanting to never give up, to hang on until you've won. But also, and above all, resilience, knowing how to accept what happens and then giving yourself the means to bounce back. When you don't win, you learn from your mistakes by working on them to be better the next time and the times after that. And finally, surprisingly, there's the human side too, which really teaches you to put things into perspective. »
What role does sport play in your daily life?
« If I could do sport every day, I would do it every day. Unfortunately, I can't, but I really try to do it at least every other day.
And in everyday life, (she reflects), I would say it's really the idea of letting off steam, sometimes of all the little things you've held back during the day; and the Bam, you decompress. There's a real sense of calm and a real idea of decompression.
And more particularly for horse riding: it's an “air bubble”. Because you're in an outdoor setting with smells: the stable, the straw, the horse...
You can have a bad day, and then find yourself out there, taking care of an animal that's 10 times your weight, and it can really make you forget the day you've had, your sources of stress and tension... »
How do you manage sport into your professional and personal life?
« So, for me, you really just have to want it to be able to do it, which means you have to set aside some time and, above all, plan. And if you don't plan, you generally won't do it.
After that, it's true that teleworking helps you get moving a lot more because you can change quickly at home. But there are also gyms set up directly at work with showers, but once again, you have to want it, if you want it, well you go there.
You have to plan ahead and make a date with yourself. If you don't plan ahead, you'll end up procrastinating. The secret for me is planning. It's fundamentally a question of discipline. »
How do you deal with "procrastination" in sport?
« I never have the “sport laziness” moment, in fact, it's never happened to me. There are lots of things I procrastinate about, like housework and so on, but never when it comes to sport. I get rather frustrated when I don't get the chance to do any.
And even when I'm away on business trips, I take my trainers with me. The fact that I'm away for business doesn't stop me going for a run at all. After that, it's true that I think it's a question of habit; ever since I was little, it's been part of my way of life and my equilibrium. »
Which athlete inspires you across all disciplines?
« I really like Kevin Staut, who is one of the Olympic jumping riders.
There's also Thierry Rozier, who I think is talented and kind with his horses, and he even trains Guillaume Canet's horses, for the record.
And finally, outside my discipline, I would say Jean Le Cam or even Bernard Moitessier, who really has that adventurous side. He was the first man to sail around the world in the 60’s and 70’s. And after sailing around the world, he didn't want to stop, so he did it again, only to stop and end his life in Polynesia. He also wrote books about his voyages, which I find really poetic. »
What kind of riding do you practice?
« I do show jumping, cross-country and dressage.
Show jumping involves 12 to 15 obstacles in an arena or a riding school, it doesn't matter. The aim is to get over them all without dropping a bar, or falling over ourselves, as we do sometimes fall over. There are different heights, and different complexities depending on the combinations.
Cross-country is show-jumping in the natural environment: we jump over tree trunks, river crossings, downhill and uphill sections...
And finally, dressage, which is really about technique, including figures, showing the elegance of their movements and all that. »
Do you ride competitively? If so, what is your greatest achievement?
« I mainly do pleasure riding and very few competitions. I had the opportunity to do some when I was younger, but you have to realise that above all it's very time-consuming. You often have to get up at 4am on a Sunday, and you're not home until 8pm in the evening, so it's really tiring and time-consuming.
Having said that, I wouldn't say that I've had any particular success, but of course, receiving a flotation (the equivalent of a medal in other sports) is always pleasing, because in a way it symbolises the victory of the team that I form with my horse.
You really have to keep in mind that victory is achieved as a duo, not as individuals. And it's specific too, because in horse riding, the rewards are gifts, more or less expensive depending on your ranking. »
How would you describe the relationship between you and your horse?
« The relationship between us is really essential. It's an individual sport but also a team sport, you form a duo, that's why we talk about couple in horse riding. If things don't work out between rider and horse, it's practically 99.9% the rider's responsibility.
I really like the example of Pierre Durand and Jappeloud, because I think they really represent an unusual relationship, but one that worked like nobody's business. Jappeloud was a horse considered mad and destined for the slaughterhouse, but Pierre Durand really believed in him and together they achieved great things.
I'd say it's really this idea of osmosis in the relationship. »
Can you tell us about a typical training session?
« You often start by preparing your horse for 20 to 30 minutes. It has to be groomed: all the preparation, the snaffle, the saddle... that often takes 20-30 minutes, in fact it depends on the season too. In winter, for example, it's more like 30 minutes, because they get dirtier with the weather.
After that, the ideal thing is to walk with it, after warming up, and then it's time for training. As far as training is concerned, these are group lessons, where you do exercises, jumps, dressage, etc.... »
Thanks Claire for your sharing!
