Interview: Mélody Théolissat, Bronze Medalist at the World Championships
In pouring rain, in a landscape transformed by torrential storms, French endurance rider Mélody Théolissat rose to the challenge of the World Championships. Thanks to meticulous preparation and the deep bond she shares with her horse Yalla de Jalima, they successfully overcame the trials of this demanding first stage in Monpazier. Balancing tenacity and trust, Mélody shares her story with us, marked by difficult moments and strong connections, particularly with her teammate Virginie Atger.
Pictures and interview, Layne.
L. This start of the race, with the storm and mud throughout the course, must have been a challenge for you and your horse. Can you tell us about your relationship with him and how you overcame it?
M. We knew this first stage would be tough, but we had prepared well for it with our teammates. We went to scout the route by bike at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesday…! And I hate getting up early… let alone to go biking…! But we did the reconnaissance, so we knew where we were going relatively well. It’s true, though, that it was raining heavily, and there were storms, but compared to Florac the year it was canceled... this was nothing. I was there, and it reminded me a lot of that time, but this time I experienced it much more calmly than Florac, partly because it was a more difficult period in my life. Now, I was ready, I was calm, and it was the World Championships, so it wasn’t a big deal. In a way, you forget where you are, and you put yourself in a bubble.
Yalla was quite confident despite the conditions, so I trusted him. I was pretty far ahead when it rained, and things went relatively well given the conditions we had.
L. We imagine the equipment was put to the test as well!
M. Oh yes, absolutely! We were soaked…! From head to toe, nothing was dry… Nothing!
L. Why did you choose a Gaston Mercier Florac saddle?
M. It was my sister who really liked this saddle. She managed to saddle horses that I couldn’t saddle with other saddles, so it was a good complement.
Manuel Mercier. In fact, she won the French Championship three years ago with a Florac as well.
M. Exactly! So, every time, I would borrow her saddle for my horses that were a bit more difficult to saddle, like Yalla. Since it always suited him better, I eventually stopped borrowing hers and bought one for myself.
L. I sensed a lot of emotion between you and your teammate Virginie Atger. Can you talk about how you felt inside and who you think of when you realize you're ranked?
M. Virginie and I have been training the horses together since the beginning of the season. We’ve done a lot of training together, so our horses know each other well, and we know each other very well too. Unfortunately, her mother passed away a few months ago. She was someone I cared about deeply—she was a bit of a mentor to me, and she taught me so much. There isn’t a single time I ride that I don’t think of her. So yes, it makes everything even more emotional.
And personally, I’ve been through difficult times in my life. I’ve had to figure things out on my own, and I set myself up alone where I live. To have overcome all of that and to be here now, for me, it’s… incredible.
With a bronze medal, Mélody and Yalla bring home an individual medal for the French team. This hasn’t happened since the World Equestrian Games in Aachen in 2006, when Virginie Atger won silver with Kangoo d'Aurabelle. That same year, France also took the team gold medal.
We sincerely thank Mélody Théolissat for her time and trust. Her story reminds us that success in equestrian sports is not just about strength and technique, but also about the deep bond between rider and horse, along with the unwavering support of a dedicated team. Her passion and perseverance are a true source of inspiration for all who share a love for the sport and horses.
