10 July 2017
Benjamin Aillaud trains Slovenian Pair drivers
The successful French international four-in-hand driver Benjamin Aillaud is appointed to assist the Slovenian Horse pair drivers in their preparations for the upcoming FEI World pair Driving Championships in Lipica, in their home country, from 20th to 24th September.
Miha Tavčar, Klemen Turk, Benjamin Aillaud, Mitja Mahorčič
The three Slovenian drivers Miha Tavčar, Mitja Mahorčič and Klemen Turk are prepared by Aillaud, who recently won the CAI3* Nebanice. Several days ago, the team gathered at Lipica Stud Farm for their third intensive joint training session. According to the set programme, the team will continue with monthly training until the start of the World Championships. Besides the usual dressage, marathon and cones training, Aillaud also pays much attention to the psychological preparation of both drivers and horses.
All three competitors compete with Slovenian bred Lipizzaner horses, a breed well known to Benjamin Aillaud. He was very successful in the past with Lipizzaner horses: “Lipizzaners are great competitive horses for carriage driving. They really are exceptional; their greatest virtue is their extraordinary power. At the same time, they are intelligent, quick learners and sufficiently fast and flexible. At the beginning of the training, you need some time to gain their trust. Once they trust you, they become your best friends for a lifetime,” explains Aillaud. Up until 2011, Benjamin trained horses for the world-known equestrian spectacle Cavalia – Odysseo.
With Benjamin Aillaud as coach and trainer and Klemen Turk on board of the team, the Slovenians hope to be able to beat their results at the previous World Pair Championships. The best individual result to date was 11th place, won by Miha Tavčar in 2013. The best team result for Slovenia was 11th place, won by Miha Tavčar and Mitja Mahorčič in 2015.
