It’s been a whirlwind year for Emile Faurie, but is his greatest achievement still to come?
Next month, the 54-year-old Briton will celebrate a year in situ since taking over as lead trainer at the famous Hof Kasselmann centre in Germany by almost certainly taking part in the FEI World Cup™ Dressage Final in Paris. Some 25 years after he first medalled at a major international event, his return to the top over the last 12 months has been spectacular.
Emile Faurie, who should confirm his place in France when he lines up alongside the likes of Isabell Werth during Saturday’s final World Cup qualifier in 's-Hertogenbosch – which is live on FEI TV - has enjoyed a fantastic season with new partners Delatio and Lollipop.
They came within a hair’s breadth of what would have been, in his own words, a “miracle” victory at London Olympia in December, and more of the same could well see Faurie among the leading contenders in Paris.
“It has been a great season so far,”Faurie told FEI.org. “It has exceded all my expectations, to be honest. I didn’t really know Delatio very well before the season began. We were a new partnership and I had only been riding him for a short period of time.
“My highlight without a doubt was scoring 80% in London. The support from the crowd was overwhelming.
“Another highlight has been rising to No.34 in the world rankings considering there was nothing there six months ago! I’m really proud.”
Success isn’t something new for Faurie, who won an individual bronze and team silver at the 1993 European Championships. He and partner Virtu were the British champions in both 1993 and 1994.
He and Elmegardens Marquis also scooped a team gold with Great Britain at the European Championships in 2011, and South Africa-born Faurie has also represented his adopted nation at two Olympic Games, in 1992 and 2000, and three World Equestrian Games.
He has undoubtedly enjoyed a new lease of life since his appointment as training supervisor and sales manager at Hof Kasselmann in Hagen am Teutoburger last April. He set himself what may have seemed ambitious competition targets of reaching the World Cup Final and European Championships at the start of the season, but thanks to his instant bond with “the superstars of the Kasselmann yard,” he has achieved both.
“Delatio is the most level-headed stallion I have ever ridden,” said Faurie. “He has a fantastic temperament, and nothing really phases him.
“He always concentrates on what he is doing and relaxes when he needs to. Even though he is spectacular in the arena with lots of natural energy, he contains it and uses it in the best way. We have a great partnership."
He added: “Lollipop too has a great temperament - it’s a little more electric at times! He is a very different horse to Delatio, and although he is quite a bit smaller he has amazing and extravagant movement.
“He has a very cute character which makes lots of people fall in love with him instantly!”
Delatio “has a little more breeding to do” before Paris, so Faurie is likely to team up with gelding Lollipop in 's-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands this weekend.
Viewers on FEI TV can see how Faurie fares against the likes of Werth, Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl and Edward Gal from 2pm CET (1pm GMT) on Saturday afternoon.
Faurie’s bond with Delatio and Lollipop follows a long line of successful partnerships, going right back to Virtu, as well as Rascher Hopes and Elmegardens Marquis. Faurie is convinced of the positive impact that horses can have on their human partners.
“I can honestly say that horses have been the one stable influence in my life,” he said. “Horses are a wonderful way to keep your feet on the ground. Whenever you think you know something you learn something new, you never quite reach total perfection.”
Having taken up riding as a 15-year-old, Faurie is eager to encourage young people to get in the saddle. In 2006 he set up the Emile Faurie Foundation, which gives children from lower income families the opportunity to experience the benefits of horsemanship.
An idea devised and inspired by similar projects in Sweden, now funds over 35 school and youth projects across the UK, and has enabled 9,000 young people from London to Scotland to enjoy riding. It is clearly something that stirs Faurie’s passions.
“Riding in Britain has such an enormous history, and riding schools used to be the focal point of society,”he said.“With government changes, riding schools are struggling and they are closing down every day because they can’t keep up with ridiculous business rates on indoor schools, insurance policies, crazy health and safety rules – not that health and safety are wrong, but with horses you get to a point where it has to be realistic."
"Lollipop has a very
cute character -
people fall in love
with him instantly"
“I would encourage any young person to start"
“I decided one night to do something, and basically what we do is go through the schools. It has entirely developed by word of mouth. It enables hundreds of children to not only derive considerable pleasure from riding and being around horses, but also helps them cultivate core life skills such as self-confidence, responsibility and discipline.”
He added: “I would encourage any young person to start and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy nurturing young talent. Tom Goode that has been with me for nine years is a great role model to young riders taking a horse on at three years old to GP level, scoring a massive 73% in their first Grand Prix test.
“For a young person who is dedicated and willing it’s a very healthy lifestyle to be associated with horses and that reflects beautifully in the charity. The levels of concentration improve, they learn to communicate and understand respect.”
Tune into FEI TV and YouTube to watch Emile and his Dressage rivals in this weekend's FEI Dressage World Cup event on Saturday afternoon from 2pm CET (1pm GMT)...
Text by Richard Mulligan
Images by Arnd Bronkhorst / Kit Houghton / Jon Stroud / Christophe Taniere
