But what makes the British jump to the other end of Europe? Every year, Alain Bourdon takes his team to Vilamoura (Portugal), a seaside resort located ten kilometers from Faro. And the Bretons did not make this trip for nothing.
His son Mathieu Bourdon, 30, won on Saturday 12 February 2022 the grand event of the International Horse Show *** in Vilamoura (Portugal), with the order of 1.45m.
Le Fougerais was ahead of the best French “driver” at the Atina du Tertre (home bred)… Kevin Staut. Mathieu Bourdon already on Friday, at Derling de Tertre, won the test at 1.35 metres. “We travel with eight horses to run at major events”, Alan Bourdon explains. “We already have the sun, it’s 20 degrees, it’s a pleasure to work here now. We were received in very good conditions. This allows the horses to get off to a good start to the season in France.” And when he feels a little rain, “We have tents over the pastures, and we are working in really good conditions.”
Bourdon: “We talk a lot”
The Montaubert stables manager took his successor to Morbihani, Franck Montoy and Robin Le Squire of Nantes, Mathieu’s teammate at the Grand National. “The competition track is so big, there’s movement, you have to put the horses up front for the mare. There are a lot of English riders, they’re fast. With Kevin Staut it’s another competition we’ve been here for a month. We’re doing something else, and we’re still learning because it’s another way to go up. To that level. It’s very interesting for business, you can buy and sell horses, and I meet people here that I was not used to seeing in France. We talk a lot!”
“Pampered” Knights
For ten years, Alain Bourdon has not missed an edition of Vilamoura CSI, “In terms of hospitality, everything is done for the passenger, we welcome him very well, good humor is essential, and everyone is willing to help. And for our owners, they can fly in and join us and see their horses jumping, we are ten minutes from the airport. It’s a class Higher compared to Royan’s competition and other CSIs in Spain.We will have three weekends of three-star competitions and the last one is four-star.” The only downside is the two day trip. “But we have adapted the vehicles. It is a matter of organization. And then the horses only travel once a month and are well settled here. We rent a villa with a swimming pool ten minutes away from the competition. It is an excellent preparation for the season.”
Montéuuis: “I am glad to be in Portugal”
This is confirmed by Frank Montoy, professional jockey and manager of the Karbutin (Van) stables: “Alan Bourdon told me about it and I’m glad to be here. It’s nice, it’s a bit like a vacation. I’ve flown two Celtic horses from Miscam and Doc Landis, the tracks are great. My wife accompanies me, there’s sun and sea and I won the 1.20m class on Saturday…” “ When you can combine work and leisure, it is invaluable.
