Jappeloup

Inspired by the life and career of Pierre Durand and his horse

JAPPELOUP - The Ride to Victory

Summer 1974

number 19. Medical aid required at obstacle 12.

19, that's Pierre!

Serge, that's Pierre!

You all right?

Sure?

Let's go.

Pierre, get off that horse.

- He has to get back on. - Get down!

Mom, I'll get eliminated. Relax, six obstacles left!

This is his last cross-country race.

- He's fine. - Fixed obstacles are too dangerous!

Let him jump bars! At least they'll break, not him.

You hear me?

You're so annoying.

A local wine grower

comes to Town Hall

with the idea of creating a riding school

on his farm.

Now I'm asking him to join us.

A big hand for Mr. Serge Durand,

and the Saint-Seurin Riding School!

I do want thank the Mayor

for his enthusiastic participation

in creating this riding school. I also...

It's for my granddaughter.

Since her parents passed away,

nothing interests her.

But she loves horses. I told her we could breed them.

No more than one foal a year.

Where would you put them?

- The Jappeloup meadows. - Jappeloup?

But what about your cows?

I don't know, we'll see.

How are you?

Know what? I'll drive. Otherwise it'll take forever.

Hey, champ.

Time to get up.

Hey, gypsies!

You've been told not to camp here.

What's up, kids?

Mr. Durand.

Hi, kid.

Good luck.

Lighten up, you know him.

I sure do. He's as dumb as his father.

Wait till you ride in Rome.

That'll shut those rich boys up.

I haven't been selected yet.

D'Orgeix will see you ride this weekend.

Believe me. You'll see what happens.

Okay, we've seen him jump.

Get off now.

One more!

Shit.

That's enough.

You'll hurl yourself. He won’t jump, fine.

He jumped the other day.

And you fell, too!

If you fall ten times for each jump!

Put him inside.

You won't sell him?

I don't know, hon.

For now, I'll find a rider who can rein him in a bit.

You're too nice to him.

Arlene, Serge.

I'm interrupting.

Don't be silly, we're done.

- You well? - And you?

I said come later, when he naps.

I didn't get that. How are you?

- Coffee? - Love some.

I need a favour, Serge.

My wife? Take her! I'm fed up with her.

Not your wife.

A friend asked me for a favour, so I'm asking you.

I'm all ears.

He sure can kick.

Lots of energy!

You can say that again.

This is his first trip, so...

I was going to keep him for Raphaëlle.

But he's too much trouble.

She's out of her depth.

But... he sure can jump.

Seeing how your son did in the Nationals,

maybe he could watch him jump,

and maybe even enter him in competitions for young horses.

Yes, I know.

Francis told me, but I can't promise.

Pierre's problem is,

his diplomas went to his head.

Now he wants to be a lawyer.

Oh shit.

And he's obsessed with girls.

Warm him up. Pierre will be right here.

Who knows what he's doing.

If I told him about you, he'd throw a fit.

Let's go, come on.

Cédric, saddle Laudanum, bring him out.

- Here's Pierre. - Hi.

How are you?

This is Mr. Dalio. He brought us a promising horse.

Oh yeah?

Hi Francis.

A trotter?

Got trotter's blood.

He's crossed with a thoroughbred.

Not a show jumper.

- How old? - Four.

Pint-size. He's tiny.

Not much balance.

Have him jump a bar, see what he can do.

No time, Dad.

One hour for Laudanum,

then I go back to Bordeaux,

and work.

Sorry, Mr. Dalio.

Bring him back in a year, when he's fully grown.

Well I want to see him jump.

Would you bring him to this cross rail, at a trot?

You all right?

Francis, take him?

Easy.

- Does it hurt? - I'm fine.

Come on.

Never saw anything like it. No way to show a horse!

Dirty, out of shape. Like a club horse.

Setup some bars?

- He's not warmed up yet! - Sure he is.

Put a little vertical up?

International Jumping Competition Poland 1978

- I'll do it in five strides. - Are you sure?

The one time I come along!

This was my last competition.

Jean-Marie was scared, too. Mostly for his horse.

He might've been hurt, too.

He says it's all about managing time.

- Jean-Marie? - Yes.

We told you.

You can't do this as a hobby. You're slipping.

And now look.

This is something else.

I fell because he went off a stride too early.

I'm so tired right now.

Exactly. And that's fine.

You can't do law school and this. You must choose.

Telling me to quit?

No. I want...

I want you to feel free

to do what you really want.

If you want to stop competing, I'd understand.

You don't realize.

It's hard for me.

Why?

Because Dad...

You've been by my side for years.

I see how happy it makes you.

I don't dare quit.

You sank your money into the stables, the truck.

I wanted to do you proud.

Wouldn't I be proud if you're a lawyer?

Forget the money we spent.

It was for us, too.

If you're not happy on your horse, quit.

You could still ride.

He won't have Laudanum.

It's true, I could never quit completely.

Once I get my career on track,

I could still enter the occasional competition.

That's what I mean.

Don't worry about us. You're free to live your life.

I'll ask the doctor what time he'll let you out.

How should I handle you?

See? That wasn't so hard.

2 years later

Great!

I trust Pierre to take it from here.

Goodbye, see you soon.

Hey Ruben, how was it?

Not great.

I'm glad you came.

You couldn't make lunch?

No. I got to bed late.

Remember Mr. Dalia?

You quit jumping? According to your parents.

No, I don't have time.

The other day, you said you missed it.

Yeah, sure.

I do. The atmosphere, friends...

It is hard.

But I wasn't meant to compete forever. Other priorities.

Excuse me.

Pierre, look.

- Recognize him? - No.

His horse, Jappeloup. The one you wouldn't ride two years ago.

He remembers the rider better than the horse.

- Why? Who is she? - Nadia.