Valegro

[KatherineC]

I have been reading a lot about Valegro retiring this week and wanted to relay a story about having the chance to meet him before he got famous. The summer of 2012 we went to London for vacation. The last outing for the British Dressage team was at a place called Hartbury (spelling?) was happening at the end of my trip. A friend of mine named James was on the Irish para-olympic team for Ireland and he was riding there as well. So I decided to stay an extra day and go see James and Valegro. It was a great day, but it rained like I have never seen rain before. We saw a blind rider ride a test with a guide telling her when she was approaching a letter, saw James ride and several other very inspirational para riders. The Olympic horses ran thru their freestyles (Laura B (long last name) and Richard someone) and they had a Q&A sessions where they talked about what they would be doing with their horses between now and the Games. It was very interesting.

Valegro went later in the day so while we were waiting (and trying to find dry ground) we walked thru the barns and found him and had our picture taken with him. Blueberry was lovely had “the look of kings” about him. Like he knew he was a star long before the world discovered him. The folks with him were wonderful and told us all about him. When Charlotte rode her test later in the day we were within 10 feet of the arena. Amazingly close and we saw her warm up as well with Carl coaching. Out of the stall this is a horse that really fills your eye. Just a beautiful animal.

It is nice they are retiring him when he is still at the top of his game.

[Lord_Helpus]

That is a great story. Patting Valegro would be on the same level as patting Zenyatta.

I have been looking for a video of the retirement ceremony, but there is nothing on YouTube. Does anyone know if a video is online?

[jdobbs64]

it doesn’t happen until Wednesday. his retirement.

[Magicboy]

I agree about Valegro. And the comment about Zenyatta. I love her

[Sandy_M]

I patted Secretariat in 1978. (also Nijinsky II, Caro, Honest Pleasure, Le Fableaux and Olden Times) :0)

[teddygirl]

I patted Valero at the Central Park Horse Show. His performance was breathtaking but I have never seen anything like the way he just stood there with hundreds of people swarming around him and touching him. He clearly accepts it as his due

[Lord_Helpus]

Thanks — I thought it was last Wed. Does anyone know if there will be a live feed of the ceremony?

[jdobbs64]

I can’t find anything state side except FEI TV that I may just buy to watch it.

[alicen]

I don’t know if I want to watch. I always get a headache when I cry.

[Crockpot]

I would like to watch if anyone has a link to free livestream

[belgianWBLuver]

[QUOTE=Crockpot;8973246]
I would like to watch if anyone has a link to free livestream[/QUOTE]

Here is a snippet from someone who is there

https://www.facebook.com/katy.heritage/videos/10154357367788090/

[Lord_Helpus]

I downloaded Hola and got to the BBC schedule. It seems that the Olympia Show is only available on the “Red Button” network (So named because you have to push the red button on your remote to to get the programming.)

It is the same as our cable TV.

I would guess that there will be videos up on You Tube by tonight.

[Velvet]

There are a few horses that are so good at their sport, so impressive in their demeanor, and perfectly matched with their rider that they change how we view a sport. Valegro is one of those. I’ve seen a lot of dressage horses I really liked, but he has that special something. Toto was cool, but I really like Valegro. And I like how calm, cool and collected both Charlotte and Valegro are as a team. It’s interesting that I’ve really wanted to follow this horse more than any other in dressage–and I ride and compete in dressage. I kind of felt the same way about Barbaro.

[jdobbs64]

https://www.facebook.com/cazcrazyjonty?pnref=story

[Thylacine]

lovely story - was your friend selected for the irish para-team?

one thing the poms really know how to do, is rain - especially summer rain. lol

[Canterwell]

I have never ONCE seen Valegro swish his tail or pin his ears… and those eyes - I think they are set more forward on his face. There’s something about the way he observes and scans his environment - quite extraordinary.

[Foxtrot_s]

While everything about Valero is adorable, but the lack of a swishing tail is such a pleasure to see.

I do think the dressage has become more watchable over the years - less swishing, pinning, yanking, spurring. Smoother reactions in the changes, transitions.

My first ah-ha was Rembrandt, and dressage has got steadily better every since - well, Reiner Klimke is my idol. Ingrid and Charlotte (and he crews that devote themselves to these animals) have a wholistic approach to the happiness and well-being of their horses. I love to see a happy horse, unhampered by restriction and force, giving and loving their work.

I’m happy to say I saw Valero in 2015 winning at the Aachen European Champs.
A highlight, and before I would have had no desire to go and see old style
dressage. Perhaps I’m not wording this very well…great riders have existed before.

[jdobbs64]

Of course they’ve existed before. But nothing in our history of this sport is quite like this pair. They are different for the sheer volume of wins and 100% solid and happy performances.

(waits for someone to dig up another pair to top this pair).

[demidq]

I think so highly of his owners and rider that they decided to retire him from competition now at the very peak of his ability. The temptation to keep on must be very great, but what more does he have to achieve? I commend them all!

[KLB]

Here is the freestyle and full retirement ceremony from FEI TV the the FEI have put on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDKWnCNpmQA&t=782s