In the daily life of young champions: Caroline Saldalamacchia and Paul Colin, winners at the 2023 French Championships.
Dive into the lives of Paul and Caroline, two young Horse Pilot influencers who won the 2023 French Championship title! At Lamotte-Beuvron, these emerging talents shined in the Poney 1B and As2C competitions.
An Obvious Passion for Equestrianism Leading to the French Championships
Although Paul and Caroline did not grow up in the equestrian world, their attraction to the sport was evident. “I discovered horseback riding in CE1, at the center where I still ride today,” explains Caroline. It was here that she discovered not only riding but also the atmosphere of the equestrian center. “ I loved the club spirit ,” she recalls. Initially curious and fascinated by horses, Caroline fell in love with the sport as soon as she began riding.
For Paul, his fascination with ponies, horse shows, and the equestrian environment also began at a very young age. “ Sometimes I would just go to the pony club to watch the horses ,” he remembers. At the age of 3, he finally started riding, a sport he has not left since.
Caroline and Paul’s passion for show jumping quickly took off. This discipline, which combines adrenaline and aesthetics, captivated both young athletes. “Show jumping is beautiful to watch,” they say when asked about their passion.
The Daily Life of Young Athletes
Paul Colin in training, preparing for the French Championship at Lamotte-Beuvron
The daily routine of Caroline and Paul is far from ordinary. Diligent students by day, dedicated athletes by night. The two teenagers balance school and training every day. Wake up, go to school, do homework, care for ponies, train, compete – this is the fast-paced life of these young athletes.
Between daily care and exercises, each of them dedicates more than 3 hours per training session:
- Flatwork,
- saddle training,
- gymnastics,
- course practice,
- …
No exercise escapes these two young teens. Their commitment and dedication enable Paul and Caroline to continuously participate in competitions and reach the podium.
Triumphs at the 2023 French Championships in Lamotte-Beuvron
Caroline Saldalamacchia with Quota, crowned French Champion at Lamotte-Beuvron 2023
Caroline and Paul recently won titles at the 2023 French Championships in Lamotte-Beuvron. Caroline is the French Champion Poney 1B with Quota while Paul is the French Champion As2C with Evane. Their success was the result of hard work and unwavering determination.
Caroline, still emotional from her victory, shares: “Seeing my pony with the ‘French Champion’ blanket was incredible. It’s every rider’s dream.” For her, the initial goal was just to reach the finals. The young teenager advanced step by step, gradually getting closer to her dream.
For his part, Paul also experienced immense satisfaction after his win. He recalls: “It wasn’t easy at first; the first round wasn’t great.” For him, this French Champion title is the result of a whole year of dedication to the sport he loves.
The experience inspired both of them, giving them the drive to go even further in their future equestrian careers. For Caroline and Paul, these victories at the French Championships in Lamotte-Beuvron will remain unforgettable, reminding them that effort and perseverance are the keys to success in sports.
Family Support Every Step of the Way
The success of Caroline and Paul at Lamotte-Beuvron is undeniably the result of invaluable support from their families.
For Caroline, horseback riding is an adventure she shares with her family from the beginning. Although her parents were initially unfamiliar with the equestrian world, they have always supported her passion. Their presence and encouragement have been constant, whether for Caroline’s schooling, countless training hours, or her growing number of competitions.
For Paul, the equestrian world was also unknown to his family. However, his parents fully committed, showing unwavering enthusiasm during his frequent competitions. Their support even extended to investing in a stable to encourage the passion of Paul and his younger sister.
The story of Caroline and Paul highlights the crucial role of family support in the daily life of young riders, reminding us that behind every champion is a circle of invaluable support.
Effor
