About breeze equestrian

Discover the story of Breeze Equestrian, my commitment to excellence, and my passion for horses and riding. Learn what sets me apart and how we can help you achieve your equestrian goals.

Breeze The origin of my passion

When I was a child, I loved cowboy and Indian movies and comics. At home, we had animals, including a goat who was a bit lonely, so my father decided to buy a young pony to keep her company.

All I wanted to do was play cowboys and Indians with her.

Neither Breeze nor I had any experience, so it was "a bit complicated."

But my parents decided to enroll us in riding lessons at a riding school, and that's how it all started.

I'm dyslexic, and as a child and teenager, I was overweight, so socializing was very difficult for me.

Breeze and the horses were my refuge during those difficult years.

So when I started my business in France, it was obvious that I would name it after my pony.

Of course, I kept the same name in the Netherlands and Belgium.

My evolution

At school, despite my dyslexia, I managed to complete a science-focused course and earn my degree.

As for horses, I learned at a classical French riding school from the age of 7 or 8 until I was 19.

I competed in show jumping for several seasons.

Around the age of 13, I started to educate young racehorses that would come to stay with me for a few months each summer.

At that time, I was already attracted to horses that were not like the others.

At 19, I began my studies to become a riding instructor.

My studies

I studied for two years.

The first year, I did an internship at a riding school and also at the Nantes Sports Academy (CREPS) to learn about the human body, sports pedagogy (in general), and sports legislation.

The second year, I began specialized equestrian training in Angers.

This school was directed by a dressage rider and an Olympic eventing rider.

That year, I discovered eventing competitions and achieved the necessary results to make it my specialty.

I then passed and obtained my riding instructor's diploma at the National Riding School in Saumur (2004)

Ufly, questioning, and free riding

I had a sport horse mare, easy to ride and a very good jumper; we competed up to 125cm, her name was Romance.

Unfortunately, after an accident in the field, she couldn't continue competing.

So I bought a second horse, Ufly.

I hoped to achieve the same progress, but he was very different, and after a few years of hoping to perform well with him, I realized that traditional methods weren't for him.

It was at this time that I started learning all the methods I could and understanding them so I could choose the most suitable ones.

In particular, I discovered how all well-balanced horses could be ridden with just a simple rope around their necks. This radically changed my view of horses and riding.

I now use the neckrope from the very beginning of the horse's education.

My passion for pedagogy

In my family, everyone has a role related to teaching, each in their own discipline.

It was therefore natural that I wanted to share my passion for horses.

Thanks to my knowledge and quality training, I've been able to develop my own teaching method, somewhat outside the traditional approach.

I am particularly committed to developing the autonomy of the rider and/or the group, whether in private or group lessons.

This allows me to increase the amount of practice time for riders in groups, as well as improve safety.

To achieve this, I ensure that riders are able to judge the success or failure of their exercises, understand their horse, and also refine communication.

Of course, I've incorporated riding with a rope halter into my teaching method.

I have tested the benefits of this method on over 1,000 riders and horses of all ages and skill levels. (including group lessons for up to 13 riders)

After several years, I have observed ponies and horses that are much more responsive and a significant reduction in the risk of falls.

Thank you to Sophie Normand and the "Salantine" for allowing me to develop these methods.

The show and the discovery of the Netherlands

In 2018, after 14 years of teaching, a new challenge presented itself.

I was offered a job as a rider, fighter, and stuntman in the show "Raveleijn" (Puy du Fou) at Efteling Park in the Netherlands.

Speaking neither Dutch nor English, I left everything behind to come to the Netherlands.

I worked at Efteling for two years.

Thanks to this, I met many people who helped me learn new methods, both in the entertainment industry and in the Netherlands.

I also met my wife, Olga.

So I stayed in the Netherlands, learned English, and created Breeze Equestrian.

Associate the past and the present.

My horse Ufly taught me that a method is never good or bad, but rather suitable or unsuitable.

Since all horses are different, trying to use the same method on every horse is impossible.

Having only learned "classical" methods during my training, I continued to research methods of the past, as well as modern ones.

My goal isn't to use all these methods, but to understand how they work and why they are used by certain types of riders rather than others.

Combining past and present techniques allows me to use only the parts I think are necessary, depending on the horse and rider.

I observe and learn in order to adapt better.

When I come to your place, you might sometimes find me a little strange, especially the first time.

The reason is that I don't judge you or your horse based on what you've shown or explained to me; I don't have a "plan" for you.

I observe, ask questions, test, and feel, both you and your horse, but also your equipment and everything around you.

Before helping you or your horse, I start by learning.

Yes, I give you a lesson, but I also learn with every horse, every rider, and every stable.

This, combined with my love of staying up-to-date on new research about horses, allows me to remain passionate and adapt to your horse's needs.