Hocus Pocus de Messitert
Hocus Pocus de Messitert is a 12 year old Alezan stallion by Quidam de Revel (Jalisco B) and Brenda de Messitert (Clinton) born near the Liège Region in Belgium, at Mister Di Campo’s farm. Arnaud Doem is now Hocus Pocus’ rider and owner. They are both taking their first steps at the highest level and have joined the Riders Lab by EEM.
They gave us some of their precious time to meet this exceptional horse.
Where does your name come from?
It actually means “Abracadabra”: a real magic trick. It’s a name, which I think, suits me quite well because I love doing small magic tricks! Do you remember the 90’s Disney cult movie Hocus Pocus starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy? Hocus Pocus…. and let the magic happen…! 😉
Where do you live? Can you describe your stables?
I live near Mons – Belgium, with my rider and owner Arnaud Doem in a competition stable. My box is in the stallion area where we can see each other and bond socially thanks to the bars separating our boxes.
How do you get on with your stable mates?
I have my little character. I like to inspire respect and assert my dominant status within the team. It’s a daily job to make sure that I am respected by my neighbours.
What do you like most about your rider?
I am a big fan of candies and carrots!
Sometimes Arnaud takes me for his child … or a little donkey, depending on the day!
Let’s be serious… I love the generosity of my rider. It’s a “give and take ” relation because I always give my best for him.
What is your best skill? ou What are your best attributes?
I love competition! This encourages me to respect the bars and my rider. I like to give myself fully for my rider, and when I enter the show ring , I want results.
What is your worst flaw? What is the worst mischief you got into?
I am a born prankster . The grooming room is my area of mischief. I wander on my own and I always find the bucket of carrots or sweets that I knock down l to eat its contents. Arnaud says of me that I am “a child to watch out for all the time”.
What is your guilty pleasure? Do you sometimes act like a diva? Do you have passing fancies?
When I compete one wouldn’t guess that I am a stallion. I am focused on my goal of getting in the ring and jump. I don’t pay any attention to what’s around. When I am being lunged, I walk with my headcollar on in the middle of the mares, and I don’t even pay attention to them.
But , at home or when I compete , I am the first to be fed. If I do not eat first, I’m in a bad mood for the rest of the day!
What is your favourite colour?
Orange! It’s the colour of carrots. But my rider prefers blue and gray …
Which dream would you like to come true in your life?
It would be to stay as long as possible on the competition grounds. I like competing. I give myself every day in training because I am so happy to get into the competition truck. If Arnaud leaves me a little too long off the competition grounds, I must admit that I get depressed. Going to competitions is part of my daily life and that’s my life.
What makes you feel the happiest?
Get in the truck! I am the first to drag my rider or my groom to get inside the truck and ride to competitions.
What do you dislike most in the world?
I am a stallion after all. When you come to play with my ears or my nose, I don’t put up with it and I rebel. I look scornfully at anyone who tries to bother me when I’m in my box. For God’s sake, it’s not that difficult to reverse back quietly to one’s box.
What has been your best memory?
The World Cups in Oslo and Helsinki but also when I won the Chantilly Grand Prix This is our first year at this level!
I enjoy every moment with my rider, as long as we are in good health and we can stay at the highest level, we enjoy the moment.
Which frame of mind are you in at the moment?
Happy! After a full season of competitions I am relaxing.
Do you have a life motto you would like to share with us?
Enjoy each jumping course and every moment of our career.
How can we keep up to date with your news?
You can have my news through Arnaud’s facebook page
Discover show jumping personalities: Quel Homme de Hus or Atome Z