Schauly.jpg

Who is

Donatien

Schauly?                 

At nearly 25 years of age he is the French Champion of Eventing and has just won Bramham in Yorkshire on his horse Seculaire.


As the Yorkshires National Paper says -

"It proved to be a brilliant Bramham for the young French rider Donatien Schauly who carried off two of the top prizes. Schauly won both the CIC three- star event and the Bishop Burton College Under-25 Championship.

It was quite a coup for Schauly, just a few days short of his 25th birthday, who won the senior event on his dressage score of 46.9, seven points ahead of Australia's Paul Tapner, who came second with Kilfinnie 11. Emily Baldwin retained her third place after the showjumping with an assured performance with Drivetime.

Schauly said that his success on Saturday in the CIC three-star had given him confidence for the final, showjumping phase of the Under-25 Championship yesterday and his horse Seculaire had been a pleasure to ride."

The young riders team from France are becoming a force to be reckoned with. There are many strong and talented riders with good horses, coming up through the ranks, promising keen competition for the future.

This year alone, Donatien has won the title of Champion of France on his wonderful horse Ocarino de Chanois at the CSO at Pompadour in April and then went on to come 2nd at the 2* at Mezieres en Brenne and 8th in the 3* at Saumur. Now winning both classes at Bramham and the under 25 yrs CCI 3* at Bishop Burton his success continues.

This is not a surprise to Donatien though who said after pompadour "My horse has shown brilliance. Even on the cross country courses, though which is not easy, Ocarina has achieved a great performance ... really, I think the horse if he continues to progress, will make an excellent 4 star horse " With two talented horses in his team his name is a name to note.

Donatien Schauly made his debut in eventing through a horse belonging to the French army.Joining the Company in 2004 and is now at the military equestrian sports center (MSRC) at Fontainebleau.

Here is an interview he gave just after winning the Championship at Pompadour in April.

Tell us about your victory at Pompadour, with Ocarina of Chanois?

Donatien Schauly: I am very happy with my horse well behaved. In dressage, I'm fourth, but I have not much to reproach him. It was stable and serious. The cross-country course was not easy, especially because of the hilly and undulating terrain de Pompadour. Few horses return in time, but mine gallops well. I have not had a problem with that side. As the CSO, there was a big turn in the very technical track, and a small quarry. Ocarina has evolved considerably this winter. In general, I feel it will be well on the turn from the trigger, there he was very relaxed. He jumped very well, even if he makes a mistake. I do not blame him because it is a mistake on my part in the plot.

 

Nicolas Touzaint had five points ahead before jumping in what state of mind did you go?
Donatien Schauly: I did not put pressure, and I did not think it could happen. Five points clear, it is only a little over one bar (four points, ie). I comforted her in advance Nicolas committing a foul. But it must be said that God was with me!

 

When did you start taking on the ride of Ocarina?
Donatien Schauly: I started in the winter of his four years. He started in  the finals of the six years of Pompadour. And then I could not participate in the Lion d'Angers (World Finals of the best young horses aged six and seven, ) because he was started on a dressage career. I was disappointed at the time, but finally I said that's the preserve for him. He returned at seven years, and has very good run at the Lion, finishing sixth. It is a strong horse, and very mature for his age.

 

What is your schedule for the remainder of the season?
Donatien Schauly: I had to go run Jardy, but I will not go because I would like to dedicate her year of eight years in international circuit. My goal is to get out in CCI 3 * (three star international eventing, ) at the end of the season in Boekelo. I'll go to Bramham in June with my other horse, Secular. And as we know he won this class.

 

You are also third in the Trophy seven years with Peony Keys, can you tell us about this mare?
Donatien Schauly: Ocarina belongs to the Ministry of Defence, but Peony is a horse, of my companion.She had begun the Cycle Libre (circuit for young horses, ), and we wanted to bring him a little more experience. I did the CIC 1 * Sandillon six years with her, where she finished sixth. Afterwards, I continued to improve and I made the final in Pompadour. This is a great mare, especially on the cross.

 

How many horses do you have in your care CSEM?
Donatien Schauly: It was generally between six and eight horses. Our mission is to develop them in competition. I rode Erion, who is retired last year. Otherwise, I mostly have young horses thats Ocarina, Secular and Peony, a six-year, five years and a number of four years. Those are not yet on the circuit. I'll wait five years for their best performance.

 

Your father was a soldier and horseman, so finally you have always been immersed in this environment?
Donatien Schauly: That's true. Even if though I was born in Alsace, Saumur I have lived since my birth. At the age of four years I had a pony, then at fourteen years I went onto horses. I participated in the junior championships with a military horse. And then I told myself that I could continue at CSEM.

Interview by Emmanuelle Michaud