The Reims stage of the 41st edition of the Grand National du Trot took place on Wednesday 13 April. A prestigious competition of nine months and which was born in Reims.
“This is a prize that was created in 1982 here in the Marnerecalls Frédéric Ferraz, President of the Reims racing company. It is therefore always a consecration to see horses here.” On the starting line, sixteen participants are vying for victory and a unique reward in Reims: its weight in champagne.
Before the race, there are the preparations of the horses. A key step where you have to avoid any cheating. At the entrance to the racecourse, Eric Laurent scans the animal chips. If the chip does not ring, it must refer to physical criteria previously determined by a veterinarian.
– Etienne Cholez
The choice to shoe the horses before the race
Then, you have to go into the hands of Stéphane Aquatias, farrier for more than thirty years: “It’s the equivalent of changing tires in F1compares Stéphane Aquatias. And it’s a real strategy decided on a case-by-case basis.”
– Etienne Cholez
All is a question of weight and damping. A bare horse (that is to say without shoe) will feel the ground better and will be lighter. While a horse shod (or equipped with silicone or plastic plates) will absorb shocks better but will have more weight to support during the race. “It’s like adding 150 grams per shoe to a human for a two or three kilometer run.“explains Stéphane Aquatias.
– Etienne Cholez
Example with Caliméro de Thiole, a ten-year-old horse. His trainer, Matthieu Varin made his choice: plates at the front and unshod at the back. “Given his age, he has some small stiffnessexplains Matthieu Varin. If he runs barefoot, there will be more shock waves and therefore more resonance. Whereas with plates, this phenomenon is reduced and therefore the pain is reduced.“
– Etienne Cholez
Once all these factors are taken into account, there is only one last parameter that cannot be changed: the wait before the race.