A small dark-brown horse. Short, slim, with a spirited temperament. She was called Jappeloup. In the 1980s, she challenged giants of the competition and won. This horse became a symbol of France, appeared in films, received the highest civilian award. The story of Jappeloup is a story of love, struggle, and triumph. We tell you why this horse is a legend. Who is Jappeloup Jappeloup (Jappeloup) — a French Selle horse, born in 1975 in Normandy, France. His name is composite: Jappeloup — from the name of the place Jappeloup (a proper name). He was short — 1.62 meters at the withers. For jumping, this is not enough (average height — 1.70 meters). Therefore, at the beginning of his career, he was not taken seriously. The first riders considered Jappeloup uncomfortable: he kicked, bit the reins, did not listen. They even planned to sell him for meat. But in 1982, he was noticed by a 21-year-old rider, Pierre Durand. Pierre saw potential in this "black devil" and bought the horse for 25,000 francs (about 7,000 euros). This is how their ascent began. Pierre Durand: not just a rider, but a partner Pierre Durand was born in 1965 in a family of winemakers. He started doing equestrian sports at the age of 10. Resolute, ambitious, he was not afraid of difficult horses. Pierre said: "I was looking for a horse with a character. Jappeloup was crazy. We were a perfect match." Pierre did not use force. He achieved obedience through patience and trust. For years, they learned to understand each other. Jappeloup was still fiery, but Pierre knew when to encourage him and when to punish with a look. Their style was aggressive, fast. Jappeloup galloped like the devil, but cleanly. Mistakes happened, but rarely. Major Victories 1985 — Jappeloup wins the French Jumping Championship. 1986 — bronze at the World Championship (Aachen) as part of the team. 1987 — gold at the European Championship (St. Gallen, Switzerland). The 1988 Seoul Olympics were the main event. The F ... Read more