A small dark bay horse. Short, slender, with a spirited temperament. She was called Jappeloup. In the 1980s, she challenged giants of the concours and won. This horse became a symbol of France, appeared in movies, received the highest civilian honor. The story of Jappeloup is a story of love, struggle, and triumph. We tell you why this horse is a legend.

Who is Jappeloup

Jappeloup (Jappeloup) is a French Selle horse, born in 1975 in Normandy, France. His name is compound: Jappeloup from the name of the place Jappeloup (personal name). He was short — 1.62 m at the withers. For the concours, this is not enough (average height is 1.70 m). Therefore, at the beginning of his career, he was not taken seriously.

The first riders found Jappeloup uncomfortable: he kicked, bit the reins, did not listen. They even planned to sell him for meat. But in 1982, he was noticed by a 21-year-old rider, Pierre Durand. Pierre saw potential in this "black devil" and bought the horse for 25,000 francs (about 7,000 euros).

This is how their ascent began.

Pierre Durand: not just a rider, but a partner

Pierre Durand was born in 1965 in a winemaking family. He started doing equestrian sports at 10 years old. Resolute, ambitious, he was not afraid of difficult horses. Pierre said: "I was looking for a horse with a character. Jappeloup was crazy. We were a match".

Pierre did not use force. He achieved obedience through patience and trust. For years, they learned to understand each other. Jappeloup was still spirited, but Pierre knew when to encourage him and when to punish with a look.

Their style was aggressive, fast. Jappeloup galloped like the devil, but cleanly. Mistakes happened, but rarely.

Major victories

1985 — Jappeloup wins the French Championship in the concours. 1986 — bronze at the World Championship (Aachen) as part of the team. 1987 — gold at the European Championship (St. Gallen, Switzerland).

The Seoul Olympics (1988) were the main event. The French team (Pierre, Jappeloup, Frédéric Courteau, Michel Robert) showed a phenomenal result. Jappeloup and Pierre made two perfect runs. France wins gold in the team event. In the individual event — bronze (only lost to the Germans).

This was a miracle. A horse that wanted to be killed became an Olympic champion.

A difficult temperament: Jappeloup bit

Jappeloup was famous for his difficult nature. He could bite the groom, kick another horse, refuse to jump. At competitions, he sometimes "stood on his hind legs" in front of an obstacle — a deadly number for a rider. Pierre learned his "tricks": when Jappeloup throws his head, you need to loosen the rein and send him forward; if he kicks, do not pull on the bridle.

The horse loved the attention of the audience. When the audience clapped, Jappeloup shook his mane and proudly pranced. If there were no applause — he could make a scene.

He was also very smart. Pierre said: "He decided for himself when to jump and when not. If the height of the obstacle was 1.50 m, but he thought it was 1.60, he could refuse. But at the Olympics, he felt the responsibility and gave 120%".

Jappeloup in cinema and literature

In 2013, the film "Jappeloup" (Jappeloup) by director Christian Duguay was released. Guillaume Canet played the role of Pierre Durand. The film won the César Award for Best Debut. The film shows the story of the victory of a small horse and her rebellious rider.

Pierre Durand participated in the creation of the script. He even consulted the actor on the saddle. For filming, 5 horses were used to replace Jappeloup (the original had already died by then). The film is popular in France, it is shown on television every year on Christmas.

Books have been written about Jappeloup: "Jappeloup: the King of the Concours" (Pierre Durand, 2006), "My Life with Jappeloup" (biography). Also, the comic "Jappeloup: l'envol" (2015).

Monuments and recognition

In 1991 (after the end of his career), Jappeloup received the "Horse of the Year" award in France. In 1999, he was awarded the Order of Merit (the French equivalent of a medal) — a rarity for an animal. His name is in the Hall of Fame of Equestrian Sports (Lexington, USA).

Monuments: In Paris, at the entrance to the Longchamp racecourse, there is a bronze statue of Jappeloup (opened in 2014). In Normandy, on the farm where he was born, there is a stone with a plaque. In the Sports Museum (Paris) there are his saddle and bridle.

Jappeloup died in 1999 at the age of 24. Buried in Normandy, on the farm where he lived after his career. Over the grave — an oak tree and the inscription: "Jappeloup — the little giant" (Le petit géant).

After sports: a stud stallion

After the end of his career in 1991, Jappeloup became a stud stallion. Left about 200 offspring. Some of them are successfully competing in the concours. For example, Jappeloup's grandson — the horse Caiman de Haraz — won stages of the World Cup.

But the character did not pass on to everyone. Durand said that Jappeloup's offspring are more calm — "grandfather's" character manifested itself only in a few. However, the Jappeloup line is valued.

Influence on equestrian sports

Jappeloup changed the attitude towards "uncomfortable" horses. Before him, in the concours, large (withers 1.70-1.80 m), calm horses were valued. Jappeloup proved that a small, nervous horse with a character can win if you find the right approach.

Pierre Durand became a celebrity in France. His training center (in Bordeaux) is visited by both amateurs and professionals. He developed a methodology for working with "problematic" horses based on trust. Today, his students are winning at international tournaments.

The story of Jappeloup is an example that beauty is not in size, but in spirit.

How to see Jappeloup today

You cannot see a living Jappeloup (he is dead). But you can watch the film "Jappeloup" (available in French with subtitles), read a book, visit the Sports Museum in Paris, where his awards are displayed. You can take a photo with the bronze monument at the Longchamp racecourse in Paris.

In Normandy, in the "Jappeloup village" (farm), excursions are organized where his offspring are shown. The guide tells stories. You can even ride a horse — a relative of the legend.

In 2026, to mark the 30th anniversary of the Seoul gold, a festival in honor of Jappeloup is planned in France. Pierre Durand and other veterans are invited. They will jump on horses — offspring of Jappeloup.

Quotes by Pierre Durand about Jappeloup

"He was like a wild beast that needed to be tamed. But when he understood that I would not harm him, he opened his heart".

"Jappeloup's small size was his advantage. He was faster in turns, easier to carry my weight".

"On the day of the Olympic final, I whispered to him: 'Today we must be champions'. He nodded his head. I am not joking".

"People said I was crazy, that this devil should be sold. Now his statue stands next to Longchamp. Who is the crazy one?"

Jappeloup is more than a horse. He is a symbol of faith in oneself. If a small horse from Normandy can become an Olympic champion, then a person can do anything. Just do not give up. And sometimes — find your own Jappeloup.

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