Hermès Horse Show At Le Grand Palais, Reflections On Trust

Hermès horse show was a marvelous introduction to a sport  that I have never been exposed to before.

I was able to attend this spectacular event because of a pretty Texan, Jacqueline, who also has a French connection.  She so very kindly and generously invited me to share this special occasion with her and her daughter.

I have often admired the beauty of horses from afar and at the same time been wary of their obvious size, strength and power.

When most people think  of Hermès, they immediately associate the name with beautiful scarves, fashion apparel and accessories, perfumes, and household decor.

Perhaps few know that the very renown luxury house of Hermès actually started out in 1837 in the making of leather saddles and bridles, which they still do.

Hermès is still miraculously family owned and for the last 9 years has sponsored this famous horse jumping competition.

Accomplished horse jumping riders all across Europe competed in this prestigious event.

Being who I am and how I tend to see and reflect on the underlying meanings and lessons in the  world I encounter, I came away from the Hermès Saute with some renewed convictions and new appreciation of these magnificent animals.

Jacqueline and Susie, her multi talented daughter,  were visiting Paris again to recapture the glories of the city and memories of her beloved Parisian grandmother.

Jacqueline, whose father is French, lived part of her childhood in French Polynesia on the island of Tahiti and in Europe.

Back home in the Houston area, she is a passionate residential contractor, who loves to design and build houses for her lucky clients.

 

Saturday before last was another absolutely bitter cold day that we met in front of the majestic Le Grand Palais, seen here taken on a summer day.

Loud piercing sound of trumpets filled the air with a traditional horseman prelude announcing the opening of the show by trumpeters  in formal black and white equestrian apparel.

However thrilling it was to see the horses, I must admit that I ended up being more enthralled with hearing about Jacqueline’s life than paying attention to the horse jumping competition.

She gracefully accepted my apology for the moments I took away her own attention by my questions not only about horses, but about her life.

Her daughter, who is also a gifted photographer,  supplied many answers as well, though spent time getting great closeups of the jumpers and horses that I wish I had taken instead of my own paltry ones.

I was able to learn a lot about horses in general and especially about jumping competition, thinks to Jacqueline and Susie, who has her own equitation teaching arena back in the Houston area.

During intermission, while they were setting up new jumps, I accompanied them to the very impressive display of Hermès hand-made saddles, with Susie explaining the difference in each one.

I unfortunately forget to take photos, being too intent in learning about why certain saddles serve for either riding, jumping or just dressage.

They all come with a very hefty price, but considering that they are personally fitted and made to order, Jacqueline did not think they were extraordinarily so.

The saddle consultant  said that they would even send a fitter to Houston to take measures! Bravo to Hermès for such rare personal service, though I wonder how much extra that would be.

These haute culture leather saddles did all look splendid to my eyes, but what a golden gilded investment they are for a special horse and privileged rider!

My very limited knowledge about horses before came not from experience, but of the spiritual beliefs of our indigenous American Indians.

They held horses in high esteem, seeing them as messengers between Heaven and earth, relaying the wisdom of balancing power for the good of mankind.

Throughout history, where would we be without the power of horses who faithfully carried us on their backs and pulled our chariots and carriages through mud, snow and rain long distances?

I had long felt that there must be a strong bond of trust between the rider and his/her horse.

Trust from the rider that his horse will carry him and from the horse that his rider will not betray his care and needs.

Jacqueline explained that with jumping, the horse has to have complete confidence and trust in his rider.

The horseman knows the set out course and the jumps to be made, the horse does not, but only jumps over them as guided to do so by the rider.

I sensed that when the horse wasn’t able to jump high enough over the hurdles, knocking a pillar down, that he felt bad, as if he had let down his rider.

One young women was thrown off her horse and as she lay on the ground being attended to, her horse stayed loyally near her side concerned and looking fearful for her wellbeing.

Actually, in real life, the trust animals place in us is not as well reciprocated as theirs.  Perhaps more so with our familial pets, but to farm animals, a resounding no.

Animals will rarely, if at all betray the humans that they are bonded with, but humans unfortunately do not have the same loyalty.

Sadly some humans routinely betray the trust given to them  by animals in their care, as witnessed by the widespread abuse and neglect.

Man can choose to use his intelligence and power for the good of others welfare or for evil and destruction. Free choice we are given versus their inbred instincts.

We are the most dangerous and violent predators on the planet, preying on other human beings,  nature and the animals entrusted to us.

Animals are different, with innocent motives and frankly I find them immensely more gifted than humans in loyalty and trust.

Trust is a gift and like all gifts should be honored and respected with grateful reciprocity.

As you all know, once broken it is very difficult to restore. Maintaining trust requires nourishing that trust with tender care without lapse.

Abused children are often, like wounded animals, very wary of extending trust. But unlike animals, establishing any sort of trust with them  takes a very long time.

Animals certainly seem to have a much better capacity to forgive after being betrayed and from them we arrogant humans, who think we are superior can learn much.

Besides being awed by the sheer power of these talented horses jumping over really high barriers, I loved seeing the little ones on their ponies.

Who doesn’t love the sight of kids and ponies?

The young riders were equally impressive with their maneuvers, and all fascinating to watch.

The ponies were corralled  next to the eating area, and I was amazed that they were poking their adorable noses through the fence trying to steal or coerce a bite of food, just like dogs.

This rather shaggy, but absolutely cute as can be donkey(I think) patiently allowed all and any to pet him, looking very bored and unfazed by it all.

All equines are beautiful, but I guess mules, donkeys and ponies capture my attention the most.

Maybe because mules are rather free spirited and nonconformists like me, and the others are well more my size.

Jacqueline talked often about her beloved own Gypsy Vanner Picasso and I enjoyed seeing photos of him and hearing about the poignant bond they share.

I knew she was missing him and was a devoted horse lover when she confided that one of the first things they did upon arrival here, even jet lagged, was to check out a tack store.

She was amazed by all the bright pretty colors in horse attire, said never seen in American shops.

Yet it is just reversed in Parisian women, where black is seen almost exclusively worn every day.

I too was dressed up in black, but never took off my red coat because however beautiful the dome of Le Grand Palais is, it was freezing inside, at least for me.

I wished I could have stayed all day, but by mid afternoon, the chill was sadly too much for this Louisiana girl.

I left Jacqueline and Susie with a grateful heart for the wonderful time spent with both of them.

Upon leaving, having forgotten to bring an umbrella as usual, a heavy pouring of sleet and snow enveloped me putting a coat of frosting on my already over chilled body.

Finally getting into the metro felt oh so warm and was a welcome respite from the bitter wet cold.

Guess I am too trusting not only in the goodness of animals and humans that I seek, but in not being caught in inclement weather!