in the free paradressage event in Versailles, Chiara Zenati ends up at the foot of the podium – Libération

2024-09-07 16:31:00

This Saturday the paragliding events ended with musical evolutions, partly in the rain. Fourth is the beautiful French couple Chiara Zenati-Swing Royal.

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Oh, bad luck, we said to ourselves. This Saturday morning the rain started right at the arrival of the shuttle that connects the Versailles Chantiers station and the venue for the equestrian competitions of the Paralympic Games erected, like the Olympics, in the castle park. But what would the riders and horses do if the track became soggy and heavy? Would the event, the pinnacle of para-dressage, the only equestrian discipline included in the Games, have been cancelled?

These questions speak clearly: we know nothing or almost nothing about horse riding, para or not. Obviously enjoying watching international competitions on television is not enough to be able to evaluate performances. Walk, trot, gallop, diagonal, circle, that’s all we recognize. With this certainty: this sport is one of the most aesthetic there is, the magnificent pair of animal riders dressed down to their gloved hands is unsinkably chic.

Improvised tarp

Emily, a young British woman and public rider, immediately reassures us: “Rain in itself is not a problem, horse riding is an outdoor sport. Unless the track becomes too wet and dangerous, especially for the horses who could hurt their legs, and everyone knows how fragile they are. Sometimes we have to close some areas of the competition field. But this only happens in case of heavy rain, which doesn’t happen here.” Who would question England’s experience with rainfall? In any case, the drizzle forces our neighbor in the press gallery, a photographer, to make a makeshift tarpaulin out of his raincoat to repair his enormous telephoto lens and the computer from which he sends his images. We exchange a look that tells us he seems at the end of his tether. At the same time, our notebook falls into a puddle.

The speaker tries to cheer everything up: “Cover yourself, the umbrella is your best ally today!” The public was clearly informed and equipped. Boots and raincoats are also out. He has only one instruction to follow: do not shout or applaud but wave your hands, so as not to disturb riders and horses who are used to moving calmly. He will be more or less respected, thanks to frequent calls for silence.

Pilot and DJ

This Saturday is dedicated to the free event, which consists of musical “reprises” (passages). We participate in those that start at noon. The classic dominates and confirms the aristocratic side of the discipline. So, mention to the young Italian Carola Semperboni who is the same age as her horse Paul, 19 years old, and who gives us a medley of irresistible Italian pop (Maybe it’s because I love you of Ricchi e Poveri, Gloria by Umberto Tozzi). The audience struggles to get into the atmosphere. Carola and Paul compete in Grade I, a category reserved for cyclists with the most severe disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, and who only work at walking pace. It was Latvia’s Richard Snikus, 36, who won his third Olympic title – he is also world champion. A decision that fully satisfies us. To a Latin melody, he and King of Dance seem to actually dance, both in their steps and in their respective bodies. It must be said that Snikus is also a professional DJ.

At 1pm the sun peeks through the greyness. Placed in grade II, part of the competition in which the tests take place at walk and trot. We have a crush on the Japanese Sho Inaba, 29 years old, who mounts Huzette: we find the couple straight out of a film, light as a feather, incredibly elegant even if they evolve My heart Will Go On (the saw of Titanic). The jury decides differently: he doesn’t go up to the stands, the gold goes to the American Fiona Howard.

“Perfect connection”

But we came above all for the III degree, where the French Chiara Zenati, 21 years old, competed. This category brings together runners with a significant motor handicap in terms of trunk balance, or a significant unilateral handicap. The tests are performed at walk and trot and free gallop is tolerated. For Chiara Zenati it is a right hemiplegia that she has had since birth: she holds the reins only with her left hand but Swing Royal, 18 years old, seems to obey the brown twig with her finger and her eye. They evolve Valentino Suite, their recovery is completely rhythmic, fluid and precise. At this point the audience can’t help but applaud and shout. Alas, the pair will finish fourth.

Meanwhile, a very excited Chiara Zenati appears before the journalists. First of all because he senses that the podium will not be possible while he was dreaming of a medal in Paris, but also because this restart was the last appearance in the race for Swing Royal, who is about to retire. “We had a perfect connection on this, it was amazing”while sometimes it feels more like cotton “He can be a bit stubborn, me too, that doesn’t help much…” he said, adding that he is always happy to hit the track. There Chiara Zenati plans a holiday, stresses that horses need it too, “They just spent three weeks of intense work, they are athletes too.” It was once again an American, Rebecca Hart, who won gold in Grade III.