Sure, you know Valegro’s won all over the world—at Olympic Games, World Games, World Cup Finals and more. But did you know that his littlest fan is always waiting backstage?
Luca Buthe, now 15 months old, will be able to tell his friends in the future that the first horse he ever rode was the amazingly famous “Blueberry.” Luca is the son of Andre Buthe DVM, the British team veterinarian who travels with Valegro, and veterinarian Christiana Ober.
Luca petting Blueberry when he was just a few months old. Photo courtesy of Christiana Ober
“I haven’t ever met such a kind and amazing animal,” Ober said. “Luca got to ride Blueberry every day [at the Longines FEI World Cup Final in April] and one time even with Charlotte. He absolutely lights up when he sees Blueberry.
“It was actually the first horse he ever rode when we were in England and he was just a few months old. So to get to ride him again right after he won the World Cup was even more special. Blueberry is probably the safest horse he has sat on. He sees him now, and he starts giggling and just lights up,” Ober continued.
How many 1-year-olds can say they’ve ridden a World Cup Final winner? Photo courtesy of Christiana Ober
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“It just speaks to the temperament of that horse—to be able to be quiet enough and safe enough for Luca to be around in the barns and then perform like that. Amazing! We feel so lucky to be a part of his career,” she said. “I hope one day he appreciates the fact that he got to grow up with one of the most exceptional horses ever!
“When I saw the ‘10 Reasons Why The World Loves Charlotte And Valegro‘ I was thinking that #11 could be that the horse is lovable and kind enough for an infant to ride,” Ober said. “I didn’t see too many of those other dressage horses that looked like they could come out of the ring and have an infant put up on their back!”
Luca on Blueberry with Charlotte Dujardin. Photo courtesy of Christiana Ober
Luca sitting on Blueberry for the first time. Photo courtesy of Christiana Ober
Getting a ride after Blueberry’s European Championships title, too! Photo courtesy of Christiana Ober
