Havelock — Competitors at the 2016 Olympics better look out for this “dark horse” competitor who’s bringing some Maritime spirit to Latin America.
A frolicking filly from Havelock, N.B. is hot to trot in this year’s Olympic Equestrian Dressage competition. The elegant equine is winning the hearts of Canadian ghilly-wearers by promoting the art of highland dancing in Rio de Janeiro.
Violet is a 9-year-old mare hailing from Butternut Ridge Farms in the southern New Brunswick community of Havelock, located 50 kilometres west of Moncton. Her rider, 28-year-old Xavier Cavalier, has been training her for this level of competition since she was a foal. “Violet is the Beyoncé of horses — she’s got the talent, the rhythm, and the legs of a champion!
“The number one thing you need to do is build trust with your horse,” said Cavalier. “She and I have been together every moment possible. She eats at my table, sleeps in my bed, and we even watch Real Housewives together. She gets so mad at that Bethenny! And, of course, we’ve been ‘dancing’ together since Hollaback Girl!”
Colloquially known as “horse dancing,” the sport of equestrian dressage has been called the “the ultimate expression of horse training and elegance.” To put together the routine that could win him a gold medal, Cavalier hearkened back to the Scottish roots of the Maritimes for inspiration.
“At this point, the judges have seen it all — even hip-hop dressage! I had to come up with something really outside of the box. I was at the N.B. Highland Games last year and it hit me like a caber! The very next day, I put on my proverbial tartan socks and some Ashley MacIsaac, and we got to work!
“The rest — we hope — is history!”
Cavalier and Violet during Olympic training sessions.
I don’t get this article, the video is of Blue Hors Matinee and Andreas Helgstrand in Aachen and there is no Canadian rider named Xavier Cavalier competing in Rio. Am I missing something?
Yeah, I just tried to see what his standing was after the Grand Prix and came up with nothing. I think maybe whoever wrote the article needs to check their sources (That is if “Xavier Cavalier” isn’t their only source…)
The Manatee is a satorical site. lol
All fake! They caught ya!
“Colloquially known as “horse dancing,”
NO IT IS NOT. It’s called that by people who want to denigrate and make fun of an incredibly difficult and marvelous bit of history! War horses were trained with this so as to make them fully functioning weapons in battle. What we’re seeing here is just the basis for the Haute Ecole moves demonstrated primarily by Lipizzans. Dressage may be done to music now (which I think is pandering to the masses but whatever) but it’s still NOT dancing. Grrr!
LOLOLOL!!! The Manatee! 😀 Okay, you got me! 😀
I live The Manatee!
Anyone know what this song is?
The video is definitely Blue Hors Matinee (RIP). This article is completely wrong.