In May of 2020, Irish Sport Horse Magazine, caught up with Irish Equestrian Vaulter Charlotte Rimaud, to discover her inspiration and the memorable horses that she has shared success with in her Vaulting Career, the following Interview is what Charlotte had to say.
What initially drew you to the sport?
I was 8 years old when everything started! I used to do gymnastics, ballet and horse riding. I went to a summer pony camp in France (where I live) and they did equestrian vaulting. I came out of the pony camp asking my parents to find a vaulting club, because that was what I wanted to do! 3 in 1 really.
What makes you passionate about Vaulting?
I love the way people really help each other in the sport. There is a real team spirit even though it can be practised as an individual. The fact that you are never on your own, because you have your horse and a lunger, which basically makes you a team of 3. And what I also love about it is the grace, and creativity. It really allows you to invent stuff, try new moves, fall and try again. One other thing vaulting helped me with and why I am passionate about it now, is that I used to be a really shy kid and I am still a little shy in some situations of life, but it helped me come out of my shell.
Who has been your greatest inspiration and who did you train with through the years?
When I started vaulting the two French champions were Mathias Lang and Maud Boussignac so I would say they inspired me or at least made me want to get to their level.
I have always been trained by the same coach: Cécile Kersuler, at the Ecuries du Petit Dan, in Normandy, France. When I competed as an individual I used to do several clinics with Anne-Sophie Musset, but also Nicolas Andréani.
More recently, my team and I have been to a training session with Team Noroc (who represent France in the World Championships). Jacques Ferrari founded the Team and he won the gold medal at the 2014 WEG in Caen. I also love the way Lambert Leclezio (current World Champion) and Joanne Eccles (World Champion 2014) vault. Joanne has now retired but I think they both have the same grace and smoothness when they vault. Everything seems so easy and controlled. They are beautiful to look at.
Tell us about some of the Highlights of Your career so far?
I have won gold medals as a part of a team at several French Championships but also silver and bronze. We also competed internationally where we also made it to the first step of the podium. As an individual I was silver medallist of my category. I have also travelled to international competitions where my best score was in Australia. I came 3rd and got my qualification score to become a 3* vaulter (highest level in vaulting). I also vaulted in pas-de-deux (pairs) with my sister Chloé Rimaud on the horse we both own: Zwinglie. In individual and pairs I represented Ireland (I am half French half Irish). My sister and I won two CVI’s (international competitions) in Belgium. She also came third as an individual in Strasbourg one year.
Of all your Equine Partnerships, which have been the most memorable and why?
I have to separate this question for my team horses and my individual horses. As part of a team, I would say Baron du Vivier (a Sell Français of around 17,2hh) is the most memorable. He was a really kind horse but had his moments, not always the easiest to vault on. He had what we called a “red zone” at the start of his croup where you would not even think of stepping, so that made it challenging for freestyles. Most recently, Touchstone Island (a Selle Français of 18,2hh). He started vaulting only 4 years ago and has always been on the podium (French Championships + CVIs). He has a beautiful face, he is a lovely kind horse (a bit sneaky sometimes) and has the most wonderful canter, he scores easily around 8 (out of 10) in competitions!
As for my individual career; I had a few different horses in my pony club to train with, but Manoir de Cavilly (a Selle Français of around 17hh) was a real stepping-stone in my career.
Unfortunately he then had to be retired, so I had to find a horse and that’s when our adventure began with Zwinglie. He is a Dutch Warmblood of 17,2hh, we bought him in Belgium and it seems like vaulting was made for him. We bought him in January and he was already doing a CVI in Saumur (France) in April of the same year. His circles were kind of squares, but he always had a good temperament and accepted everything you did on his back. He is a funny horse always making funny faces. He loves bananas! I think my best memory in competition with him is when we won for the first time in pairs with my sister and he had barely any training before then.
I would not be able to count all the horses I have vaulted with, but you have to know that in our sport, you can enter a competition without a horse and find a spot on one the same day. That’s how I got to vault in different countries, people are so kind!
All these vaulting horses do dressage; some are driven and do show jumping as well.
When buying or selecting a new horse for Vaulting, what do you look for?
Easy: the horse has to be sensible, have a good head on its shoulders, a good quality working canter. I am sure the Irish Sport Horse would be perfect. In regards of the height of the horse, it depends on the level of competition and the size of the vaulters. But if somebody wants to start a horse, if it can canter and is nice, lets you touch his croup and ears, you are safe enough.
Is developing a strong bond with your horse an important part of your vaulting performance?
I would think it is important to trust your horse and feel safe on him when entering the competition ring. However, as I was saying you can vault on a horse you don’t know which is good to improve your balance and other qualities you need as a vaulter. It also makes you versatile, because sometimes you have to change moves according to the horse you are on. But I do think that for a team it is important to have a horse in which you trust and a horse that you know what his canter is like. When I am by myself, I know I can jump on Zwinglie without any problem and without questioning either him or me. I have a 100% confidence in him.
If an Equestrian wants to get involved in Equestrian Vaulting what do you recommend?
That they go for it! Find a club with an official coach and try anything. Just keep safe. Trust yourself and the pony/horse you are vaulting on. If the Equestrian wants to become more involved, then he or she might want to work on their cardio training, core strength and flexibility.
My Motto: Smile and Have Fun! And like riding if You fall get back up!
Charlotte Rimaud – Irish Equestrian Vaulting Athlete.
Last Question; If you had one piece of advice to offer an Equestrian embarking on a career in Equestrian Vaulting what would that be?
Have perseverance, courage and don’t be afraid to take advice from other countries and other clubs. If possible, go and train with as many coaches/vaulters as you can. And then travel and compete abroad.
This Interview was originally published in the May 2020 Issue of Irish Sport Horse Magazine. NB**All Pictures in this Interview were provided by Alison Rimaud, all rights reserved.