INTERVIEW: ROGER-YVES BOST SPEAKS ABOUT HIS FANTASTIC HORSE QOUD'COEUR DE LA LOGE

Roger-Yves Bost, former 2013 European Champion,  has won so much in his career, that to list it all would take forever. He is a France’s national hero, and he indeed obtained some awards from the French government like the title of Chevalier du Merite Agricole in 2007 and he was also honoured by French president following his success at the 1990 World Equestrian Games [WEG] in Stockholm. Few days ago he won in great style the Grand Prix at the debut Longines Global Champions Tour in the vibrant Mexico City, riding Qoud’Coeur de la Loge, the son of his selle Francais stallion Ideal de la Loge.

After his victory in Mexico, Roger said “I’ve won two Global grands prix with the father of this horse—one in the final of Abu Dhabi—so to win with the son is a very good feeling.”

So we asked him some questions, to know a bit more about this special horse, by focusing on remarkable relationship between horse and rider, that is so important to succeed in our sport.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN RIDING QOUD'COEUR DE LA LOGE?

Qoud’Coeur de la Loge arrived in my stables when he was 3 years old, I have been riding him for 8 years now.

WHAT KIND OF HORSE IS HE AT HOME?

He is a stallion, but at home he is quite calm.

HOW IS QOUD'COEUR DE LA LOGE BEFORE A COMPETITION? DOES IT GET NERVOUS OR DOES IT CHANGE ITS BEHAVIOUR FROM HOW IT IS AT HOME?

He absolutely loves to compete, he likes it so much so that his eyes "change" and he becomes more dynamic and tonic!

IS HE SIMILAR WITH HIS FATHER IDEAL DE LA LOGE?

He looks a lot like his father in some things of course, but Qoud’Coeur de la Loge is more modern and it's easier to ride him.

DOES HE HAS A NICKNAME?

His nickname is "Junior" (referring to his father), and actually his box is the same where his father Ideal de la Loge,  has  been living for 12 years.

WHO DOES NORMALLY RIDE HIM WHEN YOU ARE AWAY TO COMPETE?

My son Nicolas, or my home rider Christophe, normally ride and work Qoud’Coeur de la Loge at home, when I'm away to compete other horses.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR HIM FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS?

In the future, Qoud’Coeur de la Loge will probably compete in some others Grand Prix of the Global Champions Tour and in some Nations Cups run in beautiful arenas!

INTERVIEW by IJRC