“The mare truly revealed herself once I earned her trust. To do so, you must approach the horse as a true partner with whom you’re in constant dialogue, not as a being to submit to your personal expectations…”
Each month, discover news from the Haras or interviews with riders who represent us around the world! We continue this series with Laetitia Trosset, professional rider and owner of Durandal du Coussoul (by Tempête du Coussoul and Germanicus des Menauts).
Deeply attached to her mare, Laetitia currently offers online training sessions where she shares her techniques and advice on groundwork, liberty work, and dressage. Thank you for taking the time to speak with us, Laetitia!
Haras du Coussoul (HdC): Can you tell us about your background?
Laetitia Trosset (LT): I’m primarily a performance and liberty show rider.
Out of a desire to improve and learn how to ride as accurately as possible, to understand the biomechanics of the horse, and to respect the horse’s physical integrity through classical dressage foundations, I applied for and was accepted into the Cadre Noir of Saumur as part of their dressage instructor program.
HdC: What is your horses’ daily routine and lifestyle (paddock, turnout, etc.)?
LT: My horses are in stall/paddock setups during the winter because they’re clipped for training, and this setup gives me peace of mind during bad weather—knowing they’re warm and dry. But they go out to pasture every day to relax and play.
In summer, they live 100% outdoors. This lifestyle is essential to me—I want my horses to enjoy as natural a life as possible outside of training and travel.
This makes a huge difference in energy management. It helps them stay balanced, letting them express themselves and unwind outside of work. They’re more available, relaxed, and physically and mentally comfortable.
HdC: How did you discover Haras du Coussoul?
LT: I first met Catherine Vaisse when she entrusted me with my first mare, N’Harmonie du Coussoul, who is now my broodmare. She’s lovely, and I care deeply for her. It was a true privilege for me to acquire a mare from this breeding, which I greatly admired for its quality and international reputation in dressage and performance.
I remain very grateful to Alicia and Catherine for placing such a special mare like Durandal on my path.
HdC: Tell us about your early days with Durandal.
LT: Our beginnings were long and challenging, filled with self-doubt.
Durandal really tested me—I had to think deeply and adapt daily to earn her trust. I started with groundwork to build a connection, spent a lot of time caring for her, and worked under saddle for months focusing only on walk, calmness, and trust.
Gradually, time did its work, and the mare truly blossomed once I gained her trust. To achieve this, you must approach the horse as a true partner, engaging in constant dialogue—not as something to bend to your expectations. That’s a vital point.
She’s a “great” mare, in every sense of the word. She has tremendous potential, but you have to earn it—never betray her trust, and always be as subtle and fair as possible so she feels safe enough to express herself.
HdC: What are the strengths of Lusitano horses in dressage?
LT: The Lusitano’s strengths in dressage lie in their natural suppleness, strength, and ease in collection.
Their brave and focused nature also makes them very attentive and serious in their work.
HdC: And in performance?
LT: In show performances, the Lusitano’s personality truly shines—driven, energetic, courageous, and eager to please. They own the stage without fear and give their full trust to their rider. They’re real “war horses.”
HdC: What is Durandal’s temperament?
LT: Explosive and uncompromising. She’s a powerful mare with a strong presence and character. She demands extreme precision in the aids, both under saddle and in-hand.
She’s confident, leaves no room for error, and pushes me to improve every day. Brilliant, willing, and very focused, she offers calmness and self-control once she places her trust in you.
HdC: Any unique traits?
LT: She’s an exclusive mare—she only gives her trust to one person for daily care and handling.
For example, she has a hard time letting anyone other than me brush her, change her blanket, etc. She needs consistency and routine in her daily life.
She’s only trained and ridden by me, and we have our rituals: always lots of walking, head-down stretching to help her relax. I constantly adapt to her mood and mental state.
HdC: Where is Durandal in her training today?
LT: Durandal now masters all the basic dressage movements. She’s currently working on tempi changes, passage, and canter pirouettes. She shows a lot of natural talent for these exercises and is progressing toward the Grand Prix level. Now it’s up to me to rise to the occasion and meet her high potential with the quality of riding she deserves.
HdC: What are your upcoming plans?
LT: We have an exciting performance season ahead in 2023—on large stages alongside top international artists. It will be our debut at this level, and I’m thrilled. She has a real presence that captivates the audience.
In parallel, we’ll continue training under saddle and in liberty, with the goal of entering high-level competitions once we’re ready.
I’m also developing a brand-new show routine I’ve been imagining for years—combining Grand Prix movements in liberty and under saddle…
HdC: Do you have any tips for preparing a horse for performance shows?
LT: For me, the number one priority is strong connection and trust—even before any technical training.
Show arenas can be intense: noise, crowds, tight spaces. Your horse needs to trust you 2000% to give their best in any situation.
Then, it’s all about taking your time and respecting the horse’s mindset. Gradually build up to more technical exercises while making sure they are understood with calmness and enthusiasm from the horse.
