Posted by camilla on October 20, 2011 – 10:34 pm
It was fashion week in Paris where temperatures reached a sweltering 30 degrees. But as it turned out, the real supermodels during the first week-end of October were on the turf of Longchamp where the German filly, Danedream, beat the favorites in the Prix de l’Arc du Triomphe a surprise victory. So it was fitting that I two weeks later should interview horse whisperer, Monty Roberts,who originally got her father, Lomitas, out of the starting stalls to embark on an impressive career. Getting a good start is always essential, and one of Monty’s favorite stories was about how he and his brother raced their donkey against some of the best horses – and won. At a 30 feet distance the donkey was always halfway before the horses got out of the stalls. Meanwhile, on rue de Longchamp in Paris, my friend, Anette and her children were reading Fontaine’s Fables, La Tortue et le Lièvre, where the hare takes a nap and loses the race to a turtle. Surprises are always nice – and apart from a record five length victory, it would seem like Danedream won with her eyes closed!
Posted by camilla on October 11, 2011 – 6:01 pm
Filed under Design, Fashion
Sonia Rykiel opens her home on the left bank in Paris – the place, where it all began.
By Camilla Alfthan, photos Pia Tryde, Plaza, May 2011
Posted by camilla on September 19, 2011 – 1:47 pm
A visit to the birth home of princess Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein and her homebred horse, Digby – silver medallists at the World Cup finals.
By Camilla Alfthan, photos Linda Henriksen, Berlingske August2011
Posted by camilla on September 19, 2011 – 1:41 pm
2.800 English thoroughbreds, Raphaël, Poussin, Ingrès…and Lenôtre’s magnificent gardens.
By Camilla Alfthan, Berlingske, September 2011
Posted by camilla on August 1, 2011 – 9:05 pm
..and a great deal of horses.
By Camilla Alfthan, Seasons, Summer 2011
Posted by camilla on July 28, 2011 – 1:34 pm
Racing fans don’t usually follow the show jumping scene and vice versa, and to most people dressage is just plain boring. But when the seventh leg of the Global Champions Tour took place in Chantilly it was the occasion to swap roles. While the world’s best show jumpers competed in a 1.000 m sprint, some of the world’s best jockeys got in the saddle to jump a ten obstacle course. The experiment was interesting as most of the jockeys had never jumped anything before. Thanks to some coaching from their show jumping partners, they all made it through the course and in a style that greatly improved once they were racing against the clock. And it was not over here; after Saturday’s polo lessons at Aprémont, show jumpers Edwina Alexander and Pénélope Leprévost took a crash course in dressage. Even if everything was new to them, including the long stirrups and uncomfortable Stübben saddles, both were hooked and made attempts to piaff, passage, and do a Spanish walk as well as a curtsey.
“It is definitely more physical work than in jumping, where we have horses that have more blood so you don’t have to ride so strongly with your legs. But when you think a little bit about what you want to do these horses just react straight away. It shows that there’s been a lot work training them,” said Alexander who won the GCT Grand Prix on a wet and slippery course where it was all about having complete control. To Pénélope Leprévost, who came in third, the elevated trot of her horse was most extraordinary feeling. “It is different than show jumping were it’s all about the movement of the gallop, which I like to keep round with the horse’s head down. I liked the different personalities of each horse and that the rider can adapt to them. They are formidable and trying to do their best for us. In the race the feeling was fantastic; here I think it is a lot about communicating with the horse, so I didn’t dare to say to much as I didn’t want him to lose confidence in me,” said Leprévost who won Friday’s race in front of jumping pros such as Kevin Staut, Eric Lamaze and Rodrigo Pessoa.
Photos Pascal Renauldon
Posted by camilla on July 20, 2011 – 1:55 pm
Côte d’Azur July 2011, photo Camilla Alfthan
Well, the sun was actually shining most of the time but it was not until the stormy weather that the coast truly lived up to its name.
Posted by camilla on June 11, 2011 – 9:57 am
A visit to the island of Gozo – Malta’s lesser known gem.
By Camilla Alfthan, Femina, August 2011
Posted by camilla on May 17, 2011 – 8:27 pm
At the Royal Stud, the newborn are delivered by a stud groom with passion for four legged babies.
Text and photos, Camilla Alfthan, Ridehesten December 2011
Posted by camilla on May 7, 2011 – 6:15 pm
In the Tuscan hills of Sassicaya the vines are literally preparing the grounds for a Scottish whisky.
By Camilla Alfthan, Børsen April 2012