Biography

French rider Helene Vattier (46) competed at Badminton last year – but did not complete as Quito tore a muscle at the beginning of the cross country.

Helene is a riding teacher based in the stables of Fontenay sur Eure, south-west of Paris.

She is the daughter of two school teachers and began riding aged eight at the Club Hippique du Carillon where she also taught. She began eventing aged 14 but completed studies in accounting before taking up riding more seriously. Her first and current instructor Nathalie Carriere became a long-standing supporter and is the owner of her two event horses – her former four-star horse Jubal with who she completed Badminton, Burghley and Blenheim – and her Badminton entry Quito de Baliere, enabling Helene to compete on the international stage.  Helene made her Badminton debut in 2011 and completed with Jubal.

In her spare time Helene enjoys snow-boarding and running.

Quito de Baliere, owned by Nathalie Carrier, Guy Vattier and rider, is 13-year-old Selle Francais gelding. He is by Lord Calando out of a mare by the thoroughbred Valiant Heart. Lord Calando, a well-known Holstein jumping sire, stood at the French National stud – he is the sire of the famous showjumper and sire Lux Z that stands in Ireland. Quito was acquired by Helene as a three-year-old and at 17.2hh is one of the tallest horses in the field.