The beautiful story of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games has come to an end. Last summer, Stéphane Landois became Olympic vice-champion in the team eventing by riding Chaman Dumontceau, the horse ridden by Thaïs Méheust, a young rider who died in 2019 after a fall on the cross-country course. A medal and a story that moved the whole of France but which is much less rosy as we launch the year 2025.
Stéphane Landois loses “a true friend”
Indeed, the family of Thaïs Méheust announced on their social networks that Stéphane Landois would no longer be the rider of Chaman Dumontceau. In a message, the relatives of the deceased rider explained that they felt “the need to close this book which is at once so painful, so strong, so extraordinary and so paradoxical ».
In a world of horse riding where costs are exorbitant, Thaïs’ family preferred to sell the horse in England, without forgetting to spare a thought for Stéphane Landois.
“Stéphane was an exceptional rider, professional and respectful. He entered the light by making the star of Thaïs shine ever brighter. We will be forever grateful to him.” the family wrote. For his part, the French rider, very moved, also posted a message on his social networks. “It is with a very heavy heart that I announce to you that unfortunately I will no longer be Chaman’s rider. Despite my infinite desire to keep Shaman with me, even for a simple retreat, I have neither the time nor the opportunity to do so. »
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And it is not a simple horse that Stéphane Landois explains losing. “It’s a true friend that I lost today, much more than a simple sporting loss. The pain is immense. » Not the end of the story the rider hoped for, no doubt.
