SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!

Sidelines MagazineSidelines Magazine

  • LOGIN
  • Home
  • Current Issue
  • Subscriptions
    • Flipbook
    • Subscribe Options
    • Order Sidelines Caps
    • Order Individual & Back Issues
  • Podcast
  • Marketplace
    • Business Ads
    • Directories
      • Barns, Farms, Trainers & Clubs
      • Equestrian Services
      • Real Estate
      • Stallions
      • Tack & Feed Stores
    • Classifieds
    • Horse Trailers for Sale
  • Advertise
  • Blogs
    • Show World
    • What’s Happenin’
  • Partners
  • Contacts
    • Contacts
    • Employment
0
Friday, February 05 2021 / Published in Sidelines Spotlight

Allegra and Octavia Peardon: Moving to France, Horses and All 

By Tafra Donberger

The Peardon family didn’t pack up and move across the Atlantic just for their girls, Allegra and Octavia, to find new trainers. But it was a happy result of the move to Europe for both girls, who have found a new home base and begun competing in jumper classes — all while navigating the changes that come with a trans-Atlantic move.

The Peardon sisters grew up speaking French exclusively with their dad, Olivier, who is French-American. They also took trips to Paris, where their family kept an apartment near the Arc de Triomphe, during school breaks to visit their extended family, which set them up to be well prepared for the move across the globe to the Loire Valley.

“My family wanted to move to France for the longest time,” Allegra said. “When they said we were officially moving, I was super excited!” They now have their maternal grandparents nearby — living in the renovated stables on the Peardons’ property — with extended family across Europe and their dad’s family close as well.

Allegra, 17, and Octavia, 14, had different reactions when their parents, Olivier and Susannah, broke the news that they would be moving to France. Allegra was excited, but Octavia was apprehensive about leaving her life in Connecticut behind. She secretly hoped that the coronavirus would keep them from going, but now that the family is settled into their home in the Loire, she’s learned to appreciate the region.

“It has so much history, and living in the Loire Valley really gives us the opportunity to see it,” Octavia explained. “I also go to school in the historic center of Loches, so it’s amazing to see the Chateau de Loches from the classroom!”

The Beginning of Horses

Susannah and Olivier started taking Allegra to trainer Liz Davis in Bridgewater, Connecticut, when Allegra was 6. She spent the day at Shallowbrook Farm learning all the ins and outs of horse ownership and riding. Only a few years later, Octavia began tagging along.

Eventually the girls moved to West Lane LLC in North Salem, New York, to train with Heather Gnewuch, which allowed them to ride more frequently and begin showing in the hunter and equitation classes. Allegra successfully made her way through the pony division, then moved up to the hunters.

“The first time I ever stepped in a show ring and walked out with tri-colors was the most memorable show to me,” Allegra said. “It sparked my love to compete and was the start of many memories to come.”

Octavia agreed. “I love having such a strong bond with an amazing animal,” she said. “I also love the pressure of doing well in a competition!”

Both girls credit Liz and Heather for their individual contributions to their riding skills, and both feel lucky to have found excellent trainers to continue their education in France.

Allegra and Octavia now train under brothers Eliott and Arthur Deuquet at Haras de Bel Air in Pernay, France, not far from the small village where they live. Though they competed in hunter classes in the United States, they have transitioned to jumper classes in France.

“The biggest difference is the speed!” said Allegra. “I’m not used to going around the ring at a faster pace than a flowing canter with connection. I was so excited to go faster than normal, and now I love the jumper classes more than the hunters.”

Octavia immediately noted the difference between making the rounds pretty versus fast. “If you have a really nice or pretty horse, you automatically have an advantage over your competition in the hunters,” she explained. “In jumpers, it doesn’t matter how pretty your horse is, if you get a rail then you lose. Everyone is on the same playing field.”

Supportive Siblings

At Haras de Bel Air, Octavia’s mare Forget Me Knot, or Iris, and Allegra’s Austin have settled quite nicely in their new digs, just as their owners have settled into the tutelage of Eliott and Arthur. Being brothers, the trainers understood well the dynamics of siblings competing in the same sport, but have never seen the girls be anything other than supportive of each other. 

“The advantages are that they share the same passion for horses and riding,” Eliott said. “Indirectly there is a competition between siblings that pushes them to do better and be more competitive. A disadvantage is there can be a bit of a rivalry, but I don’t think that’s the case with Octavia and Allegra. They get along very well!”

Allegra and Octavia actively try to compete in separate classes when they show, and they always support each other when needed. During the summer of 2020, Allegra even filled in as Octavia’s groom at shows.

“We can see that the two sisters love and support each other,” Arthur said. “There’s a good understanding between them. They both have different personalities and riding styles.”

Allegra and Octavia both benefit from having Eliott and Arthur’s differing perspectives on their riding. “Eliott is a serious trainer but will always crack a joke in your lesson and give you positive feedback,” Allegra explained. “Arthur is very focused and serious during a lesson or when at a competition. He watches your ride and breaks it down in detail.”

Octavia’s plans are to pursue the 1.20m classes and she hopes to be competitive at the CSI horse shows; Allegra’s are much the same, but as she is closer to attending university, where she would like to study commercial interior design, Allegra foresees Octavia keeping her new horse ready for competition on the weekend. 

Their shared love of horses and competition, a strong bilingual base and, of course, their beloved horses have made Octavia and Allegra’s transition to living in their small village quite smooth. Octavia put it simply: “No matter what’s going on in my life, I can always turn to horses — they are my happy place!”

Photos courtesy of Mathilde Durieux

Double D Trailers Info

Share this page:

  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
Tagged under: europe, france, jumpers, peardon sisters

What you can read next

Horses and High Notes for Reality TV’s Luke Pell: The Equestrian and Singer Appeared on “The Bachelorette” And After Not Getting A Rose Is Back In the Saddle with “Time To Ride”
Annie Heise: Playing Pretend & Playing With Horses
Unbridled With Sally Ike

Download Sidelines Digital now from your favorite app store!

Sidelines Magazine - Apple store   Sidelines Magazine - Google Play store   Sidelines Magazine - Amazon store
Update iOS app. Re-download Google Play and Amazon app.

Follow on Instagram!

sidelines_magazine

Sidelines Magazine
Jessica West always rode any horse that was availa Jessica West always rode any horse that was available to her throughout her Junior career, so she knew she had an advantage when she decided she wanted to ride on an NCAA team in college. Now a senior at @@auburnu and majoring in psychology, Jessica has enjoyed everything about the equestrian team and is ready to move on to her next adventure. 

Read more about Jessica at the link in our bio!

#ncea #ncaa #equestrian #collegiateequestrian #huntseatequitation #hunterjumper #equestrianlife #collegelife #showjumper #hunterhorse #horseshow #sidelinesmagazine
In the unique and challenging sport of combined dr In the unique and challenging sport of combined driving, Jacob Arnold has proven himself to be a bona fide star. It’s been said that success develops from a recipe based on hard work, perseverance, learning and sacrifice, paired with a love of what one is doing. Since the time he was a boy, Jacob has had the right combination of all of those ingredients, which have culminated in a meteoric rise to stardom.

Beginning his career as a Junior, Jacob earned the coveted @usequestrian Junior Equestrian of the Year award in 2011. Since then, he has taken the combined driving world by storm, competing successfully in four @fei_global World Championships. He also won the USEF Advanced Pair Horse National Championship in 2020 and 2021, among other victories—all before the age of 28, in a sport that has historically been dominated by older drivers. Last September, he placed 12th—the highest of any American driver—at the 2021 FEI Driving World Championship for Pairs in a field of over 100 top-level drivers.

Read more about @jacobarnoldcombineddriving at the link in our bio!

@alex.banks.photography #combineddriving #drivendressage #dressage #driving #carriage #horsedriving #equestrianstyle #equestrianlife #horselover #drivinghorse #carriagehorse #showhorse #sidelinesmagazine
@rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the f @rolex Testimonee Daniel Deusser has claimed the first equestrian Major of 2022, winning the prestigious Rolex Grand Prix at The Dutch Masters. In doing so he also claimed an additional bonus for non-consecutive Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping wins, following his victory at CHIO Aachen last year. The German champion’s outstanding performance riding his trusted partner Scuderia 1918 Tobago Z once again makes him the live contender for the coveted Rolex Grand Slam of Show Jumping.

Catch up on all the action and watch the free highlights video on the Sidelines Show World blog (link in bio!)

#showjumping #rolex #grandslam #rolexgrandslam #showjumper #dutch #netherlands #dutchwarmbloods #equestrianlife #hunterhorse #hunterjumper #equestrianstyle #showhorses #showjumpersofinstagram #jumpinghorse #grandprixjumer #grandprixhorse #sidelinesmagazine
Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 ac Dog and Horse friendly 3 bedroom 2 bath on 1.25 acres in Jupiter Farms, Florida.

Jupiter Farms is an equestrian community with a trail system and a sand riding arena at the park. Charming home features vaulted ceilings, custom trim, custom lighting in master bedroom that changes color with a remote. Granite countertops in kitchen and laundry room. New 2022 stackable washer/dryer. Privacy fenced backyard with beautiful tall pines for shade, many palm trees also on property.

Secure fenced  25’ x 25’ pen with wood fencing , for a horse, dogs or a garden.  Wonderful property in desirable Jupiter Farms. 45 minutes to Wellington, 25 minutes to Jupiter Dog Beach. Perfect oasis for dog and horse lovers, close to everything in South Florida. MLS# 10778333, Agents welcome.

$655,000
Contact 561-246-9317
Load More... Follow on Instagram

From Our Classifieds Ads

  • TRIANGLE FARMS HORSE SHOWS
    H/J Rated ‘A’ and ‘C’ Shows Hunt Horse Complex, Raleigh, NC www.trianglefarms.com

    [Read more]

  • Jump into Sidelines Magazine!
    Sidelines Magazine is devoted to the people and personalities that make the horse world exciting. The magazine is well known for its outstanding articles and beautiful design, including award-winning editorial, design and photography. The staff, from writers to sales people, have a vast knowledge in the hunter-jumper,

    [Read more]

Sidelines Articles by Email

Subscribe to Sidelines Magazine Articles by Email

RSS Sidelines Blogs: What’s Happenin’

  • A Paris Horse Adventure: Saut Hermes 2022
  • Better Business with Malvern Bank: Michael Meller’s Secrets to Success
  • Third Annual Painted Ponies Art Walk takes over Southern Pines, NC!

RSS Sidelines Blogs: Show World

  • Jung Ends as He Began — On Top — at the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event presented by MARS EQUESTRIAN™
  • ROLEX TESTIMONEE DANIEL DEUSSER WINS ROLEX GRAND PRIX AT 2022 DUTCH MASTERS
  • STABLE VIEW IN AIKEN POSTPONING ‘A’ RATED $400,000 H/J CHALLENGE SERIES DUE TO RESTRICTIVE MILEAGE RULE

Category

Recent Posts

  • Blessed Are the Grooms

    By George Williams “Behind every successful man...
  • Caitlin Boyle: From Horse Family to Horse Professional

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller  ...
  • July 2022 – Table of Contents

    Subscribe for just $9.95 or Order Individual Is...
  • Bill Rube: Giving Many a Reason To Smile

    By Laura Scaletti Portraits by Melissa Fuller &...
  • An Industry In Need of Your Talent

    By Rob Jacobs   Like most Junior riders, w...

Copyright © 1987 - 2021 Sidelines Magazine
Privacy Policy · Returns & Refunds Policy · Hosting by Lucian Web Service
· Login

TOP
Get the Sidelines Scoop — your weekly look behind the scenes.Sign me up!