Hippisme: "When you hit rock bottom, you can only go up", the confidences of the trainer Romain Larue

Romain Larue will undoubtedly fully savor this moment in Aby (Sweden), where he will see his champion Gelati Cut racing the Paralympiatravet (Group I) this Saturday. It must be said that the 37-year-old coach experienced a descent into hell just as dazzling as his success. “After Bardane du Houlbet and Ariane du Goutier (Group II winners in 2015), I went through five years of emptiness, the Gobi desert, he confides. I let myself be overwhelmed. I wanted to please everyone and made bad choices within my team. I found myself in a very complicated financial situation with the purchase of my stud too. The debts accumulated (around 100,000 €) while the results were non-existent. “When you touch the bottom of the pool, you can only go up, he puts into perspective today.I was fortunate to have amazing owners who supported me. I think there are a lot more people in the situation than I have been through than you might think. The only difference is that they don't say it. "

"I want to take advantage of the present moment"

Romain Larue has since raised his head and found his balance with his partner and his 3-year-old daughter.

“I'm not yet on hard ground, tempers the one who can nevertheless count on good elements like Iermont and Icap du Goutier.

If I had to do differently, I would put some more money aside.

For now, he could in any case rejoice thanks to Gelati Cut, which he hopes for a great performance in the Paralympiatravet.

“We inherited a good string number.

This is already a good thing, notes the coach.

It will be the first time that we have faced older horses.

It will be a test race.

There is a form of excitement.

"

This emulation around this European campaign of its champion is based on the decision of its owner, Hervé Karsenty. “He preferred to let his horse compete rather than send him to ride,” says Romain Larue. He wants to

his horse and travel. “A decision which therefore does not depend on a financial logic as for a large part of the stallions, and attracts the sympathy of lovers of racing. After Italy last year, we head to Sweden for Gelati Cut. “This race is his first objective, concludes the person concerned. I don't want to talk about what's next because I want to take advantage of the present moment. "