Marion dreams of going to the Paralympic Games in Los Angeles

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This Monday November 25, 2024Marion Chaussonnerie, athlete of para-dressage originally from Argentré-du-Plessis (Ille-et-Vilaine), presented his new horse Look O look.

A moment of conviviality that she shared with her partners and sponsors. She also presented her projects for four years to come, with the aim of participating in Los Angeles Paralympic Games in 2028.

Passionate since she was 7 years old

Marion has been riding horses since she was 7 ans. A passion that led him on the paths of competition from the age of 13. “I always liked it, I did internships every school vacation. ” During 10 ansshe adds good lines to her list of achievements in show jumpingand even won a French Champion title in Pas de deux, in dressage.

In moving in Brittany, Marion must part with her mare who is retiring after health problems. In 2018Marion learns that she suffers from a chronic pathology: ankylosing spondylitis. “It’s an inflammation of the joints which results in pain in the pelvis and hips,” she explains.

At the same time, the arrival of his second child makes him leave his passion. Marion eventually walked away from the stables for almost three years.

A meeting that changed everything

In 2021, Marion meets the woman who will become her coach, Sandrine Clément. At the time, Sandrine had the Haras du Blanmatin in Louvigné-de-Bais (today located in l'Huisserie, in Mayenne).

I initially worked with Marion without being aware of the existence of her pathology. When I found out, I wondered how she had managed to cope with the pain for so long with my working method.

Marion therefore decides to stop show jumping completely to refocus on dressagea discipline much more suited to his health concerns.

From Djin'ka to Look O Look

With Jin'kathe mare with which she returned to the high level in 2021, Marion thought she would obtain a qualification for the 2024 Paralympic Games, in Paris. Unfortunately, in March 2024, Djin'ka suffered a physical problem and could no longer compete.

For Sandrine and me, it is the health of the horse first. So we made the decision to stop everything.

To find the paths of international competitionsMarion Chaussonnerie and her coach Sandrine Clément welcomed in July 2024 a new stallion named Look O Look. “He’s an 8-year-old KWPN (Dutch horse, Editor’s note) who doesn’t have much experience at a high level, but has enormous potential,” assures the rider.

Goal: Los Angeles 2028

With this new arrival, Marion starts again dreaming of the Paralympic Games. “Our goal is to be ready in four years to participate in the Los Angeles Games! »

For this, Marion joined Team Mam: an association which supports more than thirty athletes in around fifteen different disciplines.

We want athletes to focus solely on their sporting performance.

Thus, Marion is surrounded by professionals physical preparation, mentallogistical support and medical follow-up. It is also Team Mam who purchased Look O Look to make it available to the rider.

“I also have Erwan Tranchevant, my groom, who accompanies me in all my competitions and who helps me by ensuring the constant well-being of my horse,” insists Marion, certain that being well surrounded allows him to perform better.

In the medium term, the 2026 World Championships

The road will still be long for Marion and Look O Look before hoping to qualify for the Games. Until then, the rider hopes to participate in the World Para-Dressage Championships in 2026.

And to follow her in this adventure, she counts on her partnerswhich allow him to finance your seasons because she points out, “most para-athletes are not professionals and receive very little financial assistance”.

Thus, these are close to 30 000 euros which are necessary each year to allow Marion to perform at a high level. “This total operating budget includes the costs of national and international competitions, fixed costs, rider costs and horse costs,” she explains.

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