HIGH

hopes

GUY GOOSEN
REVEALS ALL ABOUT
'THE WALL'

IF THE THOUGHT OF JUMPING THREE FOOT TURNS YOU TO jelly, SPARE A THOUGHT FOR SHOWJUMPER GUY GOOSEN. HE RECENTLY CLEARED AN AWESOME 7FT 5INS ABOARD HIS HORSE, SAGRAT, AND NOW HAS THE WORLD PUISSANCE RECORD FIRMLY IN HIS SIGHTS. H&P CAUGHT UP WITH GUY FOR AN EXCLUSIVE CHAT ABOUT THE BIG RED WALL...

SAGRAT FACTFILE
Age: 10 rears.
Sex: Gelding.
Height: 16.2hh.
Colour: Dark bay.
Breed: Oldengurg.
Character: He´s very affectionate and stamps his feet for attention every time anyone walks past his door!
Puissance wins: Horse of the year show 1995; Kossen 1995; Madrid 1996; Mechelen 1996; Olympia 1995 and 1996 (new Olympia records 2,25m).

THE PUISSANCE is designed to test the ability of a horse to jump a limited number of large obstacles. The first round generally comprises four to six jumps, including a vertical, spread and wall.
If more than one competitor clears all these fences, there is a jump-off over the spread and the wall only. there can be up to four successive jump-offs, after which the competition is stopped and equal competitors tie for first place.
The current puissance world record holder is Franke Sloothaak, who cleared an incredible 2m 40cm (that´s about 7ft 10ins!) aboard Optibeurs Leonardo at the CSO Chaude Fontaine in 1991.

Q Do you think Sagrat could jumpeven higher than 7ft Sins?
A Yes. We made an attempt on the worldrecord while in Madrid last summer, butdidn't quite make it. The record is 2m 40cmand we tried 2m 42cm. We'll probably give itanother go this year, if conditions are right.

Q Do you have any superstitionswhen it comes to riding in apuissance?
A I always try to do what's beensuccessful in the past. We trot into thearena past the wall, circle and then stop andrein back. It seems to work for me most ofthe time!

Q How did you discover Sagrat wasa potential puissance star?
A At the 1995 Horse of the Year Show, hehadn't qualified for any classes, so I thoughtwe'd try a couple of rounds in thepuissance. I soon realised he had a talentfor jumping the wall, because we ended upjoint winners with Robert Smith on Gold.

Q How do you prepare Sagrat forthis class?
A The puissance is just one of a wholevariety of classes in which Sagrat competes.Last year, we also took part in the HicksteadDerby, Nations Cups and Grand Prix, so he'sfit and accustomed to jumping at the highestlevel. He doesn't really need any specialpreparation to jump the wall.

Q Do you need a different ridingstyle to jump the wall?
A You have to be a bit more accurate thannormal. You need a good rhythm and mustplace the horse exactly where he needs totake off, to give him the best chance ofclearing the obstacle.

Q What tips have other riders given you about jumping in a puissance?
A At Olympia 1996 Nick Skelton told me to shorten my reins!