Isabelle Lapierre, 37, got an early start in the industry, stepping into the show ring for the first time at the age of five on her mother’s Thoroughbred gelding, Bonaparte. Horses remain a family affair for Lapierre, whose parents are integral in the operations of Les Écuries de la Chaudière in Levis, QC, where she trains horses and riders up to the grand prix level. In 2000, Lapierre was the National Talent Squad champion at the Royal Horse Show aboard Diaka de Semilly, a feat which she repeated in 2015 aboard a horse of similar breeding, Cescha M.
Tell us about the interesting connection between two of your most successful horses.
I won the Talent Squad 15 years ago with a mare called Diaka de Semilly, who is the half-sister of my current Talent Squad horse Cescha M’s father (Diamant de Semilly). I got Diaka de Semilly in France from Eric Levallois, and Cescha M in the Netherlands from Paul and Emile Hendrix. It was just a coincidence – I was not looking for that same breeding – but they are both careful and ready to do everything for you in the ring. To me, that ‘try’ is the most important thing a horse needs to have to be a show jumper; maybe it runs in the family, but it caught my eye with both of them.
Besides “try,” what is your must-have when shopping for a horse?
When I try a horse, I need to feel good on it. I am not a tall person, so I have to feel naturally balanced and not feel like I am working against my natural conformation over the jump and on landing. I like to feel that it’s possible to jump the biggest jumps, but I also like a horse that is jumping the same way at every jump: not over-jumping, but giving the appropriate amount of effort at every fence on course.
Is there someone who you consider your mentor?
My mother has been there with me and for me since the beginning of my career. She has supported all my decisions, even if sometimes she thinks I work too much! She showed me that horses are not machines, that like humans they have good and bad days, that they deserve respect, and that you should always appreciate a horse for what and who they are. She always says that there are no bad horses, just people using them in the wrong place. To me, this is horsemanship and that is the most important thing to have as a rider or trainer – to be able to understand and judge the capacity and quality of horses and also riders.
What is your most repeated phrase in the barn?
“Why did you do that?” I like to understand what brings people to react the way they do. To me, there always has to be a reason for everything.
Do you have any superstitions before big classes?
I don’t like to change my way of getting ready in the morning and before the class.When I find a way to train a horse that works, I normally keep the same exercise or do the same amount of jumps in the warm-up ring. When things are going well, I don’t like to change the routine.
If you could ride any horse in the world, which would it be?
Luciana Diniz’s mare, Fit For Fun. They just won the Global Champions Tour Final in Doha. She is light, small, careful, and looks like so much fun to ride. It’s my type of horse and I could see myself riding her.
What is one thing you can’t live without?
My German Shepherd/Labrador, Charlo. I don’t know if he couldn’t live without me, but we sure love each other. He follows me everywhere, and at all the horse shows everybody knows him.
What is your idea of a perfect vacation?
To show at a five-star with a nice grand prix horse – it would be so amazing to compete with the best riders in the world and see what I could do … with my dog, of course! But really, I like to go see movies and watch FEI grand prixs online. I also love any opportunity to have fondue or raclette with friends and family, as it brings people together around the table and allows me to forget about horses for a short time!
