Philippe Le Jeune's article about Seldana Di Campalto

[MonterStables]

Totally heartbreaking

(Excerpt from his Studforlife article)

" [About his horse Vigo d’Arsouilles being double-clear in Lexington] To me it’s my greatest pride and I’m very happy he’s still here in perfect condition. We still ride him and he could go to a show tomorrow.
I saw Seldana [di Campalto, Abdullah Sharbatly’s ride at WEG 2010 – they took part in the change-horse final with Le Jeune] one day at the Ternet clinic where we freeze Vigo’s seed, as she was going to be inseminated.
When I arrived, the vet said there was a horse I’ve ridden in the stables. I took a tour but couldn’t find it… When he said to me it was the mare I’ve ridden in the WEG final, I took a tour again but I hadn’t recognized her as she was so skinny and in such a miserable state."

Her legs were in a terrible state… I was furious to see we could put a horse in such condition. When I went to pet her, I was told « Be careful, she hates men ». And indeed, she was totally defensive, because when men would enter her box, it was to hurt her. I took five minutes [to approach her] and it was already going much better. There were some people there and I said to them « Look, they did the same classes » and I took Vigo out of the truck. The comparison was heartbreaking. It shocks me to see horses who gave so much, and, after, because their career ended…
I say this without knowing who owns her today… But leaving a horse like this, I find it distressing, no matter the horse… But horses like this, who gave so much… Here, a mare who jumped over 1.60 meter fences, whom I had the honor to ride myself, it shocks me a bit. "

Discuss.

[stytal]

He’s right. I wish everyone could have seen the face of Rodrigo when Abdullah Sharbatly got on his horse at that event. I couldn’t quite make out if it was more fear or anger. The kid finished the round and then dropped the reins and started running around the ring praising Allah. Completely disrespectful in my opinion.

If I were sitting on anyone else’s horse whether a backyard one or a world renowned one, I would certainly take care and not take any increased chance of risk. This kid is an idiot and if you ever see him in person, he is a total ass who thinks he himself hung the moon.

I don’t know who owns that mare now, but they certainly are developing reputation over there that horses are only useful as long as they will put up with these people’s antics.

[MonterStables]

[QUOTE=stytal;7724675]
He’s right. I wish everyone could have seen the face of Rodrigo when Abdullah Sharbatly got on his horse at that event. I couldn’t quite make out if it was more fear or anger. The kid finished the round and then dropped the reins and started running around the ring praising Allah. Completely disrespectful in my opinion.

If I were sitting on anyone else’s horse whether a backyard one or a world renowned one, I would certainly take care and not take any increased chance of risk. This kid is an idiot and if you ever see him in person, he is a total ass who thinks he himself hung the moon.

I don’t know who owns that mare now, but they certainly are developing reputation over there that horses are only useful as long as they will put up with these people’s antics.[/QUOTE]

I have no problem believing that. We all know that Mr. Sharbatly is not the most caring or kindhearted individual. I think the fact that this mare was allowed to sink into such a condition and they were going to BREED her on top of that is disgusting.

[KateKat]

Wow. What ever happened to Sharbatly?

[BAC]

[QUOTE=KateKat;7724850]
Wow. What ever happened to Sharbatly?[/QUOTE]

i think he is listed for WEG unfortunately. That is heartbreaking about Seldana. And stytal is right about his performance in KY, he is a disgrace to the sport.

[M_O_Connor]

So, when/where was this article published?

Having seen both horses in question (Vigo and Seldana) up close during WEG and during all the switchoffs in the final, and how each was handled, I’m not surprised to hear that she has fallen off the edge.

Who owns her now, and where is she?

[MonterStables]

[QUOTE=M. O’Connor;7725430]
So, when/where was this article published?

Having seen both horses in question (Vigo and Seldana) up close during WEG and during all the switchoffs in the final, and how each was handled, I’m not surprised to hear that she has fallen off the edge.

Who owns her now, and where is she?[/QUOTE]

The article was published in the last few days on Stud For Life as a series of articles detailing where Philippe is 4 years after his 2010 WEG victory and the articles were published on the 20th and 21st respectively.

As for who owns the mare, I think it is someone from Saudi Arabia. I did some researching to find an owner and I found her on a Sporthorse database and listed as the owner was the Saudi Federation. I’m not trying to be rude or anything however that leaves little hope for this mare to get a soft landing that I and I hope everyone else believes she deserves.

[MonterStables]

[QUOTE=BAC;7725405]
i think he is listed for WEG unfortunately. That is heartbreaking about Seldana. And stytal is right about his performance in KY, he is a disgrace to the sport.[/QUOTE]

You are not the first person to tell me or say that.

[BAC]

[QUOTE=MonterStables;7726135]
You are not the first person to tell me or say that.[/QUOTE]

In fact, he is listed with two horses, New Orleans and Tobalio. And I have no qualms about being PC, the Saudis do not have a good reputation as concerns the care of their horses and I pity the ones Sharbatly rides. He is an arrogant prick.

[Denzel]

The proof really is in the pudding as far as Sharbatly goes isn’t it? I remember reading an interview with him shortly after the Eurocommerce auction in which he states that he is trying to buy up as many horses as he can so that he can jump them all sparingly as horses aren’t meant to jump and blah blah blah. In that same article he praises himself for getting along with tough horses and talks about how Tobalio is really not a difficult horse.

While it would be lovely to believe these interviews are how it really is, it is painfully obvious that it isn’t when you see his ride and his horses, especially now in the case of this poor mare who did so much for the sport. Really unfortunate.

[MonterStables]

[QUOTE=Denzel;7726220]
The proof really is in the pudding as far as Sharbatly goes isn’t it? I remember reading an interview with him shortly after the Eurocommerce auction in which he states that he is trying to buy up as many horses as he can so that he can jump them all sparingly as horses aren’t meant to jump and blah blah blah. In that same article he praises himself for getting along with tough horses and talks about how Tobalio is really not a difficult horse.

While it would be lovely to believe these interviews are how it really is, it is painfully obvious that it isn’t when you see his ride and his horses, especially now in the case of this poor mare who did so much for the sport. Really unfortunate. :([/QUOTE]

It’s a crying shame, really. The mare is gorgeous, and like you said she did a lot for the sport. She won the bronze medal at the 2010 WEG. That is not a mere feat, that is a huge achievement. I wish that there was a way for that mare to get a soft landing and proper care. She doesn’t deserve this.

[MonterStables]

[QUOTE=BAC;7726187]
In fact, he is listed with two horses, New Orleans and Tobalio. And I have no qualms about being PC, the Saudis do not have a good reputation as concerns the care of their horses and I pity the ones Sharbatly rides. He is an arrogant prick.[/QUOTE]

Tobalio is a great horse. I wish the Voorns could have kept him.

[BAC]

[QUOTE=MonterStables;7726431]
It’s a crying shame, really. The mare is gorgeous, and like you said she did a lot for the sport. She won the bronze medal at the 2010 WEG. That is not a mere feat, that is a huge achievement. I wish that there was a way for that mare to get a soft landing and proper care. She doesn’t deserve this.[/QUOTE]

Actually she won the silver at 2010 WEG. It was hard to imagine that out of those final four, Rodrigo went home without a medal and Sharbatly won the silver.

[MonterStables]

[QUOTE=BAC;7726453]
Actually she won the silver at 2010 WEG. It was hard to imagine that out of those final four, Rodrigo went home without a medal and Sharbatly won the silver. :([/QUOTE]

It’s been a long day in the heat and I’m exhausted- my memory is a little hazy. Anyways, agreed. Silver is an achievement. She didn’t deserve that.

[winter]

I was in Kentucky and saw that final four. I agree with all of the above and will add that although I had never heard of Sharbatly prior to going to WEG that year, my impression of him afterwards was not favourable. After knowing he had secured second place he showed no gratitude whatsoever towards the horses he had ridden and spent the entire time he was on the podium ON HIS PHONE. It was so rude. My friend and I sat in the stands watching his asshattery with disbelief. It was in stark contrast to Philip who literally kissed and hugged his horse for a solid ten minutes before they could even get him to the presentations.
Watching that absolutely lovely talented mare was one of the highlights for me. She nearly beheaded Rodrigo’s assistant with a well placed kick, and she took several people to get the saddle on her and each rider mounted, but she was an absolute joy to watch jumping. The best thing we saw all weekend however was Hickstead run away with Abdullah. I have some glorious photos of Abdullah literally waterskiing on that huge bridle that Hickstead used to wear with both legs straight out in front of him and a look of terror on his face. After the last fence it took him some time to stop the horse and we thought Hickstead enjoyed every moment of showing him that he would do as he pleased.

[nutmeg]

Not sure where I saw it, probably the wonderful site World of Showjumping, but recently read a “Four Years Ago” article about the 2010 Games. They were effusive about Philip Lejeune’s manner of greeting each horse he rode in the final four before he got on, and his gentle manner of thanking him/her after the round. Hard to believe there will ever be a more popular winner. (Dermot Lennon’s win was pretty cool, too). As for the actual subject of this thread… heartbreaking.

[vineyridge]

FEI info on the mare:
https://data.fei.org/Horse/Detail.aspx?p=511C53D5C563572B84A4BD24C0069DBC

[SnicklefritzG]

Apparently they don’t have a very high respect for women, either human or equine over there.

[netg]

I have to applaud any rider who will so publicly state what he sees.

It’s heartbreaking to read, but we need to be open about such things, and see if there’s a way we can make change, even if it’s in each of our ownsmall corners of the world.

[JustJump]

[QUOTE=winter;7726494]
I was in Kentucky and saw that final four. I agree with all of the above and will add that although I had never heard of Sharbatly prior to going to WEG that year, my impression of him afterwards was not favourable. After knowing he had secured second place he showed no gratitude whatsoever towards the horses he had ridden and spent the entire time he was on the podium ON HIS PHONE. It was so rude. My friend and I sat in the stands watching his asshattery with disbelief. It was in stark contrast to Philip who literally kissed and hugged his horse for a solid ten minutes before they could even get him to the presentations.
Watching that absolutely lovely talented mare was one of the highlights for me. She nearly beheaded Rodrigo’s assistant with a well placed kick, and she took several people to get the saddle on her and each rider mounted, but she was an absolute joy to watch jumping. The best thing we saw all weekend however was Hickstead run away with Abdullah. I have some glorious photos of Abdullah literally waterskiing on that huge bridle that Hickstead used to wear with both legs straight out in front of him and a look of terror on his face. After the last fence it took him some time to stop the horse and we thought Hickstead enjoyed every moment of showing him that he would do as he pleased.[/QUOTE]

That was no look of terror on his face. He took his spurs and turned them UP before he got on Hickstead. He wasn’t able to control Hickstead in the warmup well enough to even take his allotted warmup jumps. He decided to just run him hard and keep on going. Wouldn’t put it past him to have planned to try to run Hickstead out of gas before the next riders got on him. It was pathetic. He didn’t deserve that win.

Saldena always had a reputation as being dangerous to handle on the ground, and sad to say, though it’s well deserved, who can blame her with that lot taking care of her?

She is, though, the kind of horse that some Good Samaritan might decide to ‘rescue’ and would get themselves killed trying. Too bad she can’t go home with LeJeune. She needs someone in that league for the situation to be a safe one.