How France's Jeanne Sadran became an equestrian force

Succeeding in equestrian with lessons from the football pitch

Growing up in a family that was passionate about sports, Sadran had plenty of choices for competitive pursuits, but ultimately it was equestrian where she found her calling.

She started riding ponies at age four and took part in her first international horse riding competitions at 13.

“Year after year, I discovered some new thing about the horses, and I developed a new connection with them, and now I am 23 and I really appreciate to spend the time with them and for me it's a passion for life,” Sadran said.

“The horse feels everything. When you're happy, when you're sad, when you're not good with him because you're not in a good mood. The horse is a super animal. He understands everything and he’s also your best friend and you can share everything with him. I really appreciate that.”

As Sadran did not come from an equestrian family, she did not have generations of relatives giving her advice about horses, as is the case for a great number of elite riders. Instead, she found motivation elsewhere.

Watching how the footballers of her father's club trained and prepared for matches, Sadran picked up lessons that would prove crucial in her own sports career as well: discipline, sacrifice, attention to detail, the ability to stay calm under pressure, among others.

“It's a different sport, but with some similarities. There’s a big team around and each detail, it's really important, and you need to pay attention to each one,” Sadran said. “All the staff around the football player are very professional and I think horse sport needs to learn about this.”

Another quality that Sadran picked up from having her father serve as a football club president is her competitive nature. Fittingly, the aspect she loves most about her sport are the competitions.

“My dad is very competitive. Whether it’s sport, with the football, or now with the company, it’s something like a [challenge] for him,” Sadran said.

“He always pushed me to do my best and to be competitive and I really like competition because of that. When you are against other riders, you try to be the best and this feeling, it’s very nice. And when you lose, you are very sad but also when you lose, you want to be the best one for the next show and you will work more, more, more and I really appreciate this feeling to always push [yourself] to make a big effort for the win.”

Sadran has certainly put in the big effort to earn her wins. Currently ranked 64th in the world – a jump of more than 20 places since June 2024 – she finished 15th in the individual competition at the 2024 FEI World Cup Final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia with Dexter De Kerglenn and has achieved multiple Top 10 finishes at the Global Champions Tour Grand Prix, including winning the Grand Prix of Paris in 2024.

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