The Horse Podcast

João is one of those quietly spoken, hard working gentle souls who loves his horses and loves his art. Having represented his country at European Championships and Worlds, the top Portuguese rider finally reached the peak in 2024 where he went to Paris. Unfortunately whilst at the venue, his Olympic dreams were dashed in the most awful circumstances with the illness of his stallion Drosa Fürst Kennedy. But the pair have worked their way back to the top to win 2025 Wiesbaden CDI4* before competing as part of the first ever Portuguese team at CHIO Aachen. João and Kennedy's partnership began when the horse was two and a half and the pair’s star continues to rapidly rise. It’s a real story of overcoming adversity with your best friend. Their bond is obvious. We talk about this horse of a lifetime, the daily work and the secret of his success, wife Marta with whom he runs a successful horse business in Germany…..and what is Kyra Kyrklund’s mantra?

Marieke Van Der Putten is a Dutch Grand Prix rider. The 43 year old represented her country at the World Championships at Herning in 2022 and the World Cup Finals in Omaha in 2023. From her start breaking in wild ponies to working with team Glock as a stable rider, she is now out on her own riding for RS2 and taking the Grand Prix sport by storm In this interview Marieke talks about the importance of learning to ride all horses and not just learning to ride a test, her journey from breakers to Grand Prix, a normal day, how she likes to warm up at a big show, Titanium with his tricky character and overcoming his illness at the World Cup and her current sensations including the Zonik mare Zantana and the youngster About You.

Although just recently reaching the senior classes, Semmie is no stranger to the top sport having represented Germany in 11 youth European Championships from pony to U25 since 2011 and coming away with numerous medals. With her sister Sanneke also a successful young rider, her father and mother representing Germany and Netherlands and brother Sönke part of the gold medal winning German team in Rio, she is part of a dressage dynasty. In 2019 she won the FEI Rising Star award. I caught up with Semmie at Aachen where she won the 4* Grand Prix Freestyle with Farrington. We chatted about her current top horses Flannel and Farrington, being part of the Rothenberger family, daily training, finding the way, changing tact with each horse and how every horse has shaped her as a rider, the little steps along the way and growing together with each horse. We touch on Pilates, social media and more. And why does she get so worried when no one talks while she’s training?

Ingrid Klimke needs no introduction. She has represented Germany in both dressage and eventing, she is a multi-championship medal winner including Olympic team gold. We talk about her journey with Vayron, who has been with her just a year now….the little challenges and his amazing personality. We discuss the importance of her own fitness work and riding as you get older…the wisdom and patience and gratitude that she now has. Her small tour horse Diafys. Training for dressage and eventing, how it differs and how it’s the same. The joy of young horses and how she likes to start the horses and take them to the top, keeping the training fresh and interesting for the horses. How positive she is about the next generation of young, athletic riders. Reality versus perfection and looking to the positive, something she learnt from her father. And speaking of Reiner, what were his words of wisdom for Ingrid?

DInja is a Dutch dressage amazon who has already had great successes from young horse classes to championship Grand Prix. Her greatest success at the top sport was an individual bronze in both the Special and Freestyle at the World Championships in Herning in 2022 on the stallion Hermès and she followed it up with a fourth place at the Paris Olympics in 2024. This year she already won the World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses with the six year old stallion Red Viper and she has also been named with Hermès on the Dutch team for the Europeans. In our chat with discuss how her journey began. Her grandfather’s influence and commitment. What it takes to ride these amazing horses. The influence of the stallion Capri Sonne Jr and why she decided to ride stallions early on. We talk about what a day is like for Dinja, why fitness work is important to her, her management of the horses, running a stable on her own and what it takes as well as what she learnt from one of her big mentors Leunus van Lieren. Dinja discusses her plans for Hermès and insights into his quirky character and why he’s a championship horse. We chat about her Paris Olympic experience and her individual bronzes at the World Championships in Herning and we meet some of her young up and coming horses such as Mauro Turfhorst and Red Viper. It’s also interesting to hear how her training and priorities in the arena have changed over the years and how she prepares for a test. And why does Dinja have a western trainer?

Last year dressage superstar Jessica von Bredow-Werndl successfully defended her Olympic gold medals both in the teams and individual competition in Paris on her champion mare Dalera. A year on, I sat down with Jessi as she compares her experiences of both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and post Olympics. What she experienced may not be what you imagined.Things can look very different from the outside. This is a very honest, heartfelt and insightful interview. We talk about the pressure of Paris, the rituals she used to get through. Jessi opens up about what strategies she learnt from Tokyo that helped her through Paris. She didn’t have the show she had hoped at Aachen this year with her new ride Diallo, but it’s about putting things in perspective, dealing with “failures” and the positives she learnt in the days afterwards. We discuss the differences between the horses, balancing life and how the death of her coach affected her and why the journey is so important.

It’s the “Aachen Series”! Today we chat to Team GB dressage superstar Becky Moody. This was her first Aachen experience and she brought her top star and current number two in the world Jagerbomb along with her young small tour mare Magic Dream JB. We talk about the highs and lows of the last 12 months post Olympics. The challenges of being at the top of the sport. How the horse sport is different from the other Olympic disciplines. We discuss her up and coming horses and how all horses are different, how much these top horses love their job and catering for all their different personalities and the difficulties of when the public don’t understand the journey of dressage. We also touch on her clear, logical training approach. And why does Jagerbomb enjoy a buddy at these shows?

Swedish dressage rider Patrik Kittel has been in the top sport for 25 years. A competitor in four Olympics and numerous World Equestrian Games and World Cup finals, Patrik rode to victory in the World Cup final this year in Riyadh. In this podcast we discuss taking on criticism and where the dressage sport is at the present moment; horse welfare and what do horses really need; bringing positivity to the sport and how we go about improving things in a methodical way; learning and not being afraid of mistakes; working hard and what it really takes to be at the top and how horse care has changed over the years. How did the whole journey start for Patrik and why did he chose dressage as his discipline? We talk about how to pick yourself up and be better and better; criticising yourself and the passion to keep improving; Touchdown’s personality; off the horse work and what Patrik learnt from his mental coach; the benefit of watching others and what he aims for in a training session. We also take a moment to remember Scandic And what did Isabell Werth say to Patrik to motivate him?

Christoph Hess is a modern day master. He studied to be a teacher at university and was a rider of competitions and at auction yards before becoming an international judge for 30 years in dressage and eventing, judging everything from young horse to Grand Prix. He worked at the German Equestrian Federation for almost 40 years being the head of training for 30 of those years and headed the Federal Performance Centre at Warendorf for over 20 years. He is currently the training ambassador for the German Equestrian Federation and coaches many eventers in dressage on their journey to the Olympics. In 2019 he was awarded the gold German Equestrian Cross for his services to the sport. He won the “Silver Horse” at CHIO Aachen this year for his social media content. Christoph is so passionate and generous with his knowledge, and one of the most inclusive and positive people I’ve ever met. He will help anyone who has an interest. In this interview, we discuss his foray into social media and how it can be used in a positive way. We talk about his philosophy of riding, how riding is different from all other sports and our responsibility as riders. We look at the scale of training, the ability to teach technique and feeling, his view of the sport at the Paris Olympics, the state of the sport at the moment and how we move forward with positivity, using old knowledge in a modern way and what should 95% of your money be spent on. And what was the key to France’s Olympic silver in Versailles?

Although Paris will be Jayden’s first Olympics, the Australian dressage rider is no stranger to the international sport. He competed in the Young Rider’s World Cup Final in 2008 on Widelo, World Young Horse Championships in 2013 on San Andreas and the World Games in 2022 on Sky Diamond. Having spent the last two years in the UK training under Carl Hester, Jayden’s Olympic dream has been realised as he becomes a member of the Australian team for Paris. In this interview, he talk about his journey with Quincy B, why he chose UK as a base,Carl’s influence, namely holding yourself to a higher standard, avoiding drama and doing the hard work. Jayden goes into depth on what to aim for at big championships. making your training system clear for the horse and moulding the training system to different horse and human personality types. Riding the ups and downs of the top sport. The skill of getting the score you know you can get under any circumstance. And what are the things you have to avoid in Carl’s arena?

Team GB’s newest dressage superstars Becky and her homebred Jagerbomb may have seemed like an overnight success story when they burst onto the international scene last year, but the truth is, Becky has been competing at the top level since she was nine. Great successes last year in Jagerbomb’s first year at Grand Prix meant the selectors sights were set firmly upon them, as they became the travelling reserve for the 2023 Europeans before a show full of PBs at the London International Horse Show in December. Becky is fun, thoughtful and insightful. We talk about learning from and finding the keys to each horse, attention to detail, balance versus energy in a horse’s training, the transition from Young Riders to Seniors, being in the slick machine that is Team GB and a rider and coach’s greatest skill, being a problem solver. And how did Becky teach her horses to write such entertaining blogs?

Even though still in his 20s, German dressage star Sönke Rothenberger has already had massive success in the competition arena. Following numerous successes in Pony and Young Rider Championships, the German has continued on in the Seniors with Team gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2018 World Championships as well as the 2017 and 2019 European Championships. He also received individual silver in the Special and Freestyle at the Europeans in 2017. I caught up with him at Aachen where he rode his new star Fendi in the 5*Grand Prix. Having recently beaten Dalera at the German Championships, all eyes were on the duo and although the test didn’t go quite to plan, we talked about learning from situations and changing conditions for the horse while keeping things in perspective and viewing the whole journey. Competition pressure, Cosmo’s amazing freestyle and how Cosmo and Fendi compare. The benefits of training your horse to Grand Prix rather than buying the finished product; buying foals, daily training, the honesty of family, Young Riders versus Seniors and perhaps the most important point, keeping your horse’s personality alive. Sönke has THE BEST analogies…he’s a joy to listen to. Don’t ride a pug at Aachen!

I catch up with dressage legend Carl Hester at Aachen CHIO. We get the lowdown on the Aachen stars Imhotep and Times Kismet and getting young horses to Grand Prix. Carl chats about his new partner Fame and En Vogue and hot horses in general; embracing science in the sport, the role of “Team GB”, getting those one percenters and the challenge of making the team with Charlotte and Lottie around.We reflect on the World Championships in Herning and what was Carl’s slip up?

Will Matthew is the overnight success that’s not an overnight success. Originating from Western Australia he now rides for and trains with Isabel Werth. I caught up with Will fresh from his Louisdor Qualifier win in Hagen beating his trainer Isabell. Riding in the top sport in Europe, Will is definitely the master of making unrealistic dreams come true, putting in the hard yards and making his own luck. We talk about riding smart and with compromise, learning from different systems and we deep dive into training with Isabell, the journey with Belantis and his current two Grand Prix horses.

Australian dressage rider Lyndal Oatley is based in Europe and married to Swedish team member Patrik Kittel. She has competed in two Olympics, London 2012 and Rio 2016 and has her eye on Paris 2024. She has also represented her home country at the 2014 WEG in Normandy and the 2016 World Cup Final in Gothenburg. I caught up with Lyndal just after her win at Hagen Horses and Dreams just a few weeks ago. We talk about her three Grand Prix horses, the Australian team spirit, how Europe is different and how it has challenged her. We touch on competing and not being afraid to push for more.The ups and downs of the journey and riding strategically, watching Isabell, dressage in Australia, Sandro Boy’s half pass….and why are mares are so good?

Team GB dressage rider Gareth Hughes has won over 60 national and international titles including team silver in 2014 and 2022 WEG and 2021 European Dressage Championships and was the team reserve for Tokyo Olympics. We talk about his current superstar Classic Briolinca and the success at Herning. Why did it all work out so well and how do you turn a team of champions into a champion team? We all know how enthusiastic the crowd was and Gareth gives us his perspective from the arena. What makes Lottie Fry and Charlotte so good? The importance of technique and what that actually means. Picking the right trainers. Training with Carl, the “Carl Legacy” and what is good riding? Coping with championships when you first get on a team. The combinations that have changed the sport in the modern era, how the sport has evolved and the importance of sport today. Coping when Olympic dreams are shattered. Being the fourth rider in the new Olympic format. How his motivations have changed and what the future holds.…..and vaulting! www.hughesdressage.com

Today’s interview is with the generous, genuine, insightful and pragmatic Charlotte Jorst. Although on the surface Charlotte’s life might look utopian, she has had her fair share of obstacles but she’s the sort of person who just picks herself up, dusts herself off and gets on with life. Self made, her success in business, as well as the dressage arena is quite impressive. Having founded the watch company Skakgen, it was sold in 2012 for a reported USD237M to Fossil. It was then that Charlotte’s dressage career went full-steam-ahead as she purchased some very capable horses from Europe. She also started her next business project, Kastel Denmark, the beautiful and unique sun protection clothing line born out of Charlotte’s own experience with skin cancer. With her current Grand Prix horse, Nintendo, Charlotte competed at her first Nations Cup in Rotterdam in 2015 where the US Team won Bronze. In 2016 the pair competed in the World Cup Dressage Final in Sweden, and then went on to win the US National Grand Prix Championships in 2018. In 2019, they helped the US Team win Gold at the FEI Dressage Nations Cup in Wellington. I caught up with Charlotte at Aachen where once again she was a member of the US Dressage Team. In this interview we talk about starting a business and starting in the sport of dressage; purchasing super stallion Vitalis; goal setting; the negative that turned into the positive that is Kastel. The importance of grit and hard work and the difficulty on dealing solely on talent. We touch on managing the older equine athlete; the future of her star Nintendo; cloning horses and why you’d do it; rider fitness; handling nerves; coaches; groom; coping with difficult situations and managing your rides for success.

I caught up with Cathrine during her sensational Aachen campaign just before the World Championships at Herning. She’s always so much fun to talk to. We discuss how she manages her horses and how she builds trust with them, their character and Cassidy’s “new job”. Why it’s important to always keep learning and evolving, remaining curious to new ideas, staying motivated, being able to chill at competitions and peaking in the sport. Evolving ideas and keeping curious. She talks a lot about her mental coach Rasmus Bagger and you can hear an amazing interview with him in an earlier podcast we did. He’s a total ball of energy!

Christopher needs no introduction. He’s arguably the best equestrian coach in the world. After a twenty-year gold rush with Germany, Christopher Bartle is well on the way of repeating the same success with his home country eventing riders, Team GB. Having won Gold at the last World Equestrian Games, this year Chris and his squad also took out Team Gold at the Tokyo Olympics, and then few months later achieved the same result at the European Championships in Switzerland, as well as all individual Medals. In this interview we start with a wrap up of Tokyo and what’s next for Team GB. Chris discusses looking outside of the box, motivating athletes and some of the one percenters in the equestrian sport. We look how he takes the rider on the journey of success, how failure is used as a motivator and what makes a champion. Chris explains how he creates mental self carriage in horses and riders….and what does eventing and Formula 1 have in common?

Picture this…..you’re one of the world’s top dressage rider. Tokyo is just around the corner. You are at a Nations Cup representing your team and your horse just says no. This is where Danish dressage star Cathrine Dufour found herself at Compiègne, just two months out from the Olympics when her horse Bohemian, who had been consistently scoring over 80%, decided the arena wasn’t for him and refused to enter for the Special, resulting in elimination for both her and her Danish team. That must shake the strongest of nerves. So what did Cathrine do? Went home, did some soul searching and called on her long time mental coach Rasmus Bagger who guided Cathrine back to the top of her game resulting in an individual fourth place finish at the Tokyo Games and then just a few weeks later, a team bronze an individual bronze and silver at the European Championships. Wow! I had to talk to Rasmus! He’s such an enthusiastic and generous person. His passion is totally infectious. In this chat Rasmus talks about building confidence, knowing how much of the game is mental and taking from other sports. Dancing with horses and the beauty of changing your mental interpretation of a situation. Seeking out gurus, his “Five-Three-One” Rule and why your mental state is more important than 10,000 hours. Balancing heart and head and Rasmus digs deep into focus, emotions and body language and how important it is with horses and in the ring: choosing it, showing it, feeling it, giving it. How your horse interprets you and our responsibility to our horse as well as making horses greater. And in regards goals, what’s realistic anyway?

Eight time Olympian Andrew Hoy and I had a fabulous catch up over Zoom (how good’s technology?!) just before he heads off to Tokyo. Here’s your chance to get to know one of those rarified individuals who is just uber successful; one of the elite. We learn about the influence of Andrew’s parents when he was young, the importance of having great people around you. Making mistakes. The important parts of the learning process. The undeniable importance of passion. Learning from losing and learning to focus. Making things work and being solution based. We find out how Andrew is living his last week before training camp. We debrief Luhmuhlen and talk about the phenomenon that is Vassily de Lassos and his brilliant owners and what Andrew looks for in a horse. And his take away? Controlling what you can control and not worrying about the rest.

Do you want to ride like Jessica Von Bredow-Werndl? So do I. Well….I can’t promise her fitness programme will achieved that…she does a lot of hard work on the horse as well. However, it will help you be the best rider you can. You don’t want to be the weak link in your training! In this podcast, I talk to Jessica about the fitness programme used by her and her brother Benjamin and that’s now available for you to do as well! Jessica and Benjamin are both top level dressage riders in Germany. As a senior, Jessica has been on the podium at the World Cup Finals, Aachen CHIO, the Europeans and World Equestrian Games both as a German team member and individually. She also won the German Championships last year on her mare Dalera. Jessica talks about the DressurFit system, why extra fitness training is needed for all riders, the importance of good breathing and what got her into extra fitness training in the first place. She also talks about the need for riders to keep up with the more athletic horses being bred. We also discuss handling pressure and the importance of always learning and updating your knowledge.

This is one of the most fabulous interviews I’ve had the privilege of being part of. Andreas Hausberger. He’s a chief rider at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. He is beautiful, friendly, learned, generous and has a great sense of humour. His passion is infectious. Andreas is a genius with work in hand and is in high demand from some of the top riders of today to help with the high school movements of piaffe, passage and pirouettes. In this all encompassing interview, Andreas talks about the history and tradition of the School and what it has to offer the modern sport. He starts with his journey up the levels of the Spanish Riding School and we get deeper into the flexibility of the School, the masters who went before and their influence….there’s a lot of fascinating history in this. For years Andreas has worked with German dressage royalty: the Werndls and Rothenbergers and he gives us some insight into this work and talks a little bit about Cosmo and Dalera. It’s reassuring to know the top riders have their ups and downs as well! Andreas emphasises the importance of patience, consistency and having good eyes on the ground; the importance of the rider’s seat; taking the fear out of training, not forcing the horse and seeing the horse as a partner as well as focusing on doing the exercises correctly. We go on to discuss Classical versus Rollkur as training methods as well. All I can say is…listen to this podcast! Due to travel restrictions, it was conducted over WhatsApp rather than face to face so the quality isn’t as great as I’d hoped for. You might have to sit down and pay close attention, but that’s hardly a bad thing.

Hans Heinrich is a household name in Germany when it comes to the training of young riders and young horses. If you go to any of warmup arena at the big shows like the Bundeschampionate, Hans Heinrich is everywhere, warming up and preparing many combinations. The German has been the director of the Hoya National Riding School since 1986 and in 2001 he became the national dressage coach first for the Junior and later the Young Riders. His responsibilities also include training the auction horses for the Hanoverian Verband and heading the licensing commission. In this podcast we chat about why Hans Heinrich’s focus has mainly been on young horses and young riders. We discuss the super young Germans…why are they so good? The importance of the support of families. Taking the time to learn the ropes. Rider fitness and the extra work needed these days including new technology and a different approach to training. How tough the top sport is today. Concentration and helping the rider mentally. Preparing a horse mentally for a show. Finding the best way for each horse. The dedication needed. The importance of a good groom! Hans Heinrich gives an insight to Sönke Rothenberger and his superstar Cosmo and what’s really needed to manage such a horse. The difference between riding horses and wanting to be a winner. Why riding is so good for young people.

Hans Heinrich is a household name in Germany when it comes to the training of young riders and young horses. If you go to any of warmup arena at the big shows like the Bundeschampionate, Hans Heinrich is everywhere, warming up and preparing many combinations. The German has been the director of the Hoya National Riding School since 1986 and in 2001 he became the national dressage coach first for the Junior and later the Young Riders. His responsibilities also include training the auction horses for the Hanoverian Verband and heading the licensing commission. In this podcast, Hans Heinrich talks about the improvement in rider fitness over recent years and the importance of concentration and patience for the rider. The importance of downtime and the reason it’s necessary for the concentrated work needed to coach well. The problem of not training a horse from the lower levels up. Being self motivated and knowing what your dream really is. And….do the basics ever change?

So, I wasn’t 100% sure to put this one up as a podcast or not because the quality isn’t great. It was done on Skype, which is not my favourite form of interviewing. I’d rather do it face to face, but it is Ingrid..one of the greatest equestrians ever!! I was in Sydney and Ingrid was loading horses and driving her truck in Germany, so in that sense, modern technology is awesome. And Ingrid is absolutely worth listening to. She always has so many positive and motivating things to say. This might not be a podcast for the car. You might need to take a little 20 minute break with a cup of tea or coffee, but it’s very well worth it. I spoke to Ingrid just after her 2019 European eventing individual and team gold in Luhmühlen. Ingrid talks about competing as an older athlete, Bobby and how he’s changed over the years, what he’s like cross country and his one times changes! How to build trust and a good partnership with your horse. How her training varies between her eventers and dressage horses. Franziskus and his big personality. Advice for young riders. Her famous helmet cam. The importance of fairness to the horse. AND having a balanced life and an open mind! She’s just awesome!

Judy Reynolds is a German based, Irish Olympic dressage rider. She’s really been a quiet achiever, creeping up the world rankings and winning top level shows. Success was put on hold a few years ago when her star gelding Vancouver K sustained an injury, but they’re back better than ever. At the Europeans last year, the pair scored personal bests and helped Ireland qualify the first dressage team ever for an Olympic Games. In this interview, Judy talks about how the Irish won their Olympic spot, her superstar Vancouver, what he’s like at 17 years of age and how he came back from injury. Daily management of the horses as well as the daily training. How she got into dressage in the first place and her rude awakening in Germany. Teaching riders…including a few pretty well known jumpers and how she enjoys the crazy horses. Judy goes into detail on how she transforms the “problem” horses that come to her and her aim that anyone can ride her horses once she’s trained them and the importance of really knowing the horses. What’s it like warming up with Isabell, she tells us her show routine and her plan towards Tokyo. Judy explains how “normal” people can make it in the sport but why it’s important to be on the continent. And how did Vancouver get his nickname, JP?

This podcast we have Danish dressage star Cathrine Dufour. I caught up with Cathrine at the Europeans in Rotterdam where she and her “pony” as she likes to call him, Cassidy won bronze in the Special with an amazing comeback from injury for the 16 year old gelding who has been Cathrine’s partner since Junior rider days and has partnered her through to Olympics and senior championships. The pair most recently won the Saab Top 10 beating the likes of Isabell Werth on Weihegold….not a bad way to finish the year! Cathrine also has another star ready to break through, Bohemian. She showcased the nine year old gelding in the 5* at Aachen this year where she finished top five in all three tests. In this interview, Cathrine talks about managing her older horse. What it comes down to on the day of competition and why it’s so important to know each other so well. She discusses her competition prep; the importance of corners, rider fitness and being an athlete and the importance of having a tough trainer. We talk about what it’s like working with Andreas Helgstrand and how that arrangement came about. Also, how the dressage scores are getting higher and higher and why there seems to be so many PBs at Championships. She tells us what it’s like working with Princess Nathalie and Kyra Kyrklund and Kyra’s creative solutions and training without force. And who will she take to Tokyo?

Horses have been part of Jessica’s life from the very beginning, riding in her first big championships, the Bundeschampionate at age 12. By 16 she rode in her first Europeans and has never looked back. Jessica’s won six gold at Junior and YR Europeans as well as been three times German Junior/YR Champion. As a senior, she’s been on the podium at the World Cup Finals, Aachen CHIO, the Europeans and World Equestrian Games both as a German team member and individually. Her most successful senior partners have been the stallion, Unee BB as well as the two mares, Zaire and Dalera BB. Having trained with Isabell Werth in the past, the German now works with her brother Benjamin, also a successful rider, as well as Jonny Hilberath, and Andreas Hausberger from The Spanish Riding School. I interviewed Jessica at the Europeans in Rotterdam where she had a rollercoaster of a show with Dalera. From an uncharacteristic miscommunication in the Grand Prix, which brought tears of shock to the rider, she stormed back for a glorious Special, and a Personal Best freestyle, which saw her with a team gold and individual bronze, beaten only by her team mates, also with PBs. She might be softly spoken, but Jessica has a real competitiveness and passion for bringing out the very best in her highly intelligent, if a bit crazy, four legged proteges. We talk about keeping it natural for the horses and learning to surrender as well as working with each unique personality. Training without force, giving horses a reason to work and the importance of routine. Jessica is really into rider fitness as well so we talk about what she does and her new “Dressurfit” course which she has developed with brother Benjamin…which is coming soon in English! So, yay! We then talk about the advantages and disadvantages of being on the German Team, relaxing at shows and we discuss her new goals.

I love talking to Laura Graves. She’s articulate and thoughtful which makes for super answers and a great conversation and we’re lucky to have another chat with her. Just to recap, Laura, burst onto the international dressage scene in 2014 at WEG in Normandy where she finished 5th in the Freestyle with her gelding Verdades. Two years later at the Rio Olympics they were part of the bronze medal winning US Team as well as just missing the podium to finish 4th individually. More recently she won silver in the Special at the WEG in Tryon as well as team silver. Laura was out in Australia earlier this year to give a brilliant Masterclass at Brisbane CDI. This interview touches a little bit on the themes she raised, so I’d really recommend that you read the Masterclass notes, the link to which are below. In this interview, Laura talks about US Dressage and what that actually means, the high scores we’ve been seeing recently in the dressage arena, the importance of experience, competitiveness, what exactly is rider fitness, the elusive half halt, the importance of having high expectations, how she likes to obtain her horses…….and fomo! Link to Masterclass notes: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2019/08/laura-graves-a-masterclass/

German dressage rider Helen Langenhanenberg is as delightful to talk to as she is to watch ride. After Grand Prix successes with Responsible, she took over the ride of Damon Hill from her then trainer Ingrid Klimke. The chestnut stallion and Helen went on to win team silver and finished fourth individually at the London Olympics in 2012, win the World Cup Final in 2013 and then individual silver and team gold at WEG in Normandy in 2014. Her partner in the top sport today is the 17 year old stallion Damsey. With numerous successes under their belt, their third place test at this year’s World Cup Final, will perhaps be talked about for many years to come. That final centreline! We talk about that test and what the future holds for Damsey before discussing riding while pregnant and riding while recovering from chid birth. You might be surprised how quickly Helen was back on a horse! Helen discusses what makes a podium rider and what her non-negotiables are with her horses. We get into her training philosophies and how someone so petite rides those big horses without force, her super up and coming stars and how she copes when horses get sold. She’s really good fun…there’s a lot of laughing.

Michael Jung needs no introduction. The eventing superstar won individual and team gold at the London Olympics and individual gold and team silver at Rio on his super horse, Sam. He’s won at Kentucky, Badminton, Luhmühlen and Burghley and has been inducted into the Eventing Rider Association Hall of Fame. In this interview he talks about how he manages all his horses, why he does so much show jumping, the different types of eventing horse and what makes a great rider. We find out how the German champion remains so cool and calm in the start box, what he does on the day of a competition and how to manage the eventing season. We also talk about past and future champions. The background music is courtesy of Hagen Horses and Dreams!

Although starting in the world of eventing, Spencer turned to dressage in his 20s. He’s won 13 national titles and with is partner in the arena Super Nova, helped bring home team silver at the Rio Olympics in 2016 and team bronze at the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018. As a trainer and rider, Spencer comes up with the best exercises….and lots of them! In this interview he breaks down his process for us. We talk about what the hardest thing is to achieve in dressage, the importance of transitions AND discipline as well as trying to balance your training and test riding at home and we also touch on how dressage is evolving. Spencer also delves into mental preparation and his crazy lead up to WEG at Tryon which was really interesting because sometimes you just don’t realise what’s been going on behind the scenes when you see the perfect combinations step out at the big shows. And speaking of shows, what does Super Nova think about prize givings?! …and is why Charlotte, “so annoying.” ;-) Spencer was brought out to Australia by Dressage Masterclass and I was lucky enough to watch him teach at the IRT Future Stars Clinic in Sydney.

Today’s interview is with German eventing legend Bettina Hoy! Bettina has competed at three Olympics and four WEGS and is still very active as a 3 and 4 star rider today. In 2017 she became the national coach of the Dutch eventing team. Like myself, Bettina is passionate about rider fitness and it’s that subject we delve into in this interview; what sort of fitness is best and some different exercises that you can put into use right now. We digress a couple of times to talk about Bettina’s future in straight dressage and also how you take on the king of eventing coaching Christopher Bartle as a rival coach..though I can assure you it is a very friendly rivalry. Last year Bettina filmed some exercise videos for "WeHorse" and they are online waiting for you to enjoy right now (see link below). So, put your trainers on and listen up! https://www.wehorse.com/de/search?keywords=Bettina+Hoy

Swedish rider Therese Nilshagen is one of those lovely riders who just makes dressage look easy. At the time of making this podcast, Therese is ranked 12th in the world and is one of the key riders on the Swedish team with the stallionIn Dante Weltino. She stands out with her soft, harmonious riding whether she’s riding Grand Prix or in the young horse classes at the Bundeschampionate where she won the five year old final on Dominy in 2017. In a very animated Aachen atmosphere last year, Therese talks about her journey from being a kid in a stable to being one of the best riders in the world; how she got to train with Klaus Balkenhol and what makes him so great. She talks about her training routine and making the horses feel confident and good in themselves along with fitness and sports psychology work before running is through what a competition day looks like. Enjoy! For the fully transcribed interview with photos go to: https://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2018/09/meet-therese-nilshagen-and-dante-weltino/

I’m a big fan of Cathrine Dufour; she says it how she sees it, she’s down to earth and is really focused on her journey. Cathrine was on the Danish National Juniors team at the age of 11 and was going to give up riding at the end of Young Riders so she could go to Uni and party! But as we know, she kept going with the horses and is one of the top riders in the world today, representing her country with her partner in crime, Cassidy at Olympics and Europeans and very often ending up on the podium. Cathrine talks about her “crazy” Cassidy, why she bought him and what’s his biggest fear. She talks about her fitness work and why she does it, what she takes from other sports and why sports psychology is so important to her. What a normal training session involves, why Isabell Werth is so inspiring and also the difference between the new kids on the block and the grown ups of the current dressage scene….and what’s the awesome exercise that she learnt from Charlotte?! Cathrine is huge on social media and she talks about why she shares so much about her training and the day to day running of her barn. She’s a good egg! I caught up with Cathrine at Aachen earlier this year. For the transcribed interview with fabulous photos, go to the link: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2018/08/cathrine-dufour-bubbles-her-way-to-the-top/

In this episode I interview the very funny US dressage star Laura Graves. Laura burst onto the international dressage scene in 2014 at WEG in Normandy where she finished 5th in the Freestyle with her gelding Verdades,who's she's had since he was a baby. Two years later at the Rio Olympics they were part of the bronze medal winning US Team as well as just missing the podium to finish 4th individually. More recently she won silver in the Special at the WEG in Tryon as well as team silver. In this interview, Laura talks about the difficulties of being at the top. Judges expectations and when you know your horse has given all he’s got. She describes “Diddy" the “person” and her approach with the gelding’s special personality, when situations don’t always go to plan and being smart about your training. Laura gets her fitness work by chasing dogs, and she talks about Andy the US team’s “voodoo” wielding physio. You’ll hear what I mean! She describes a normal day at home, why coach Debbie McDonald is so good and what it’s like being part of the US team; how she copes with social media….and all that time waiting around at the big shows plus learning from other riders. She also shares her thoughts on the sit trot. And the take way for me? The small things are the big things.

Honest, passionate and generous. These are words that apply to both Vanessa Way and her trainer, friend and mentor Carl Hester. Vanessa’s enthusiasm is infectious. She’s driven and focused…and was kind enough to give me an interview a few months ago at the Sydney CDI. Vanessa is a star of the NZ dressage world having come back from a very nasty rotational fall back in her eventing days. Since then she’s really focused on her dressage and has undertaken many stints with Carl in the UK. She talks about training programmes, the key to handling sharp, young horses, the importance of The Training Scale and getting horses’ backs up and lifted. She still believes the bridle is quite misunderstood and as riders we must work harder for lightness of contact. And people…FIX YOUR HANDS…and give yourself time!!! So…what’s it like to ride Nip Tuck and Valegro and what’s it really like to train with Carl and Charlotte?! Link to transcribed interview: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2018/05/what-is-it-like-to-ride-valegro-an-interview-with-vanessa-way/

Julia Krajewski has been quietly creeping up the German eventing ranks. The 29-year-old has successfully competed right through the levels from Pony competitions, and in more recent years has represented Germany at Nations Cups. It was in 2016 at the Rio Olympics that she was thrust centre stage, being asked at the last minute to go from reserve position to take up a team spot, replacing Andreas Ostholt. Although Julia didn’t have the most wonderful time at Rio, the Germans went on to win team silver. Since then, Julia has really experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows the sport has to offer. At the end of 2016, she enjoyed a win with Chipmunk, at the horse’s first CCI3*, at Strzegom, as well as her first 4* win last year at Luhmühlen on her Olympic mount Samourai du Thot. That was followed by another team silver at the Europeans in Strzegom, however, Samourai du Thot had tested positive to a controlled substance and Germany was stripped of their team silver. Julia has come back this season bolder than ever. A win at Bramham in the CCI3* on Chipmunk and a podium with Sam in the CIC3* at Wiesbaden before this weekend winning the German Championships on Sam at Luhmühlen on her dressage score of 19.9. I spoke to Julia at last year’s Bundeschampionate. We talk about her role as the German national juniors coach, how she got into eventing herself as a youngster and why she likes the eventing scene. She goes into how Germany manages its event horses and the reasons behind that, why Chris Bartle is so missed by the team and what its like to be on a team with legends Ingrid, Michi and Bettina (you only need their first names!). Julia describes the newly discovered benefits she gained from rider fitness work and talks about why she likes to “walk” the cross country course on a bike. And…like most top riders, she advocates lots and lots of hard work to reach the podium. The fully transcribed interview can be found here: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2017/11/julia-krajewski-a-very-eventful-life/

Allison was part of the bronze medal winning US Olympic dressage team at Rio in 2016. Her story is amazing. She’s a “normal” person doing extraordinary things so she’s a good one to pay attention to. Having grown up in Hawaii, she left home as a teenager to pursue her riding dreams and through sheer hard work, she reached the top of her sport. In this interview Allison talks about how being highly motivated, hard working and driven can find you quite a few fairy godmothers on your journey to the top. She gives her opinion on why the Germans are so good and getting horses into the competition arena happy and healthy. Speaking of which, she talks about her Olympic partner, the Dutch stallion Rosevelt. Allison has been coached and inspired by some great trainers and it’s interesting to hear about the problems she overcame to get a Rosevelt to the top. We also get an insider’s opinion on why Team USA has become so successful, why you need to compete overseas and why it’s best to train horses all the way through from babies. And I had to know what it was like for her to take on her first Olympics. For me though her best bit of advice was: You have to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. Cool, huh? Interview with photos: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2016/11/making-it-on-your-own-rebecca-ashton-profiles-allison-brock/

Today’s interview is with the lovely Beatrice Buchwald who I spoke to at last year’s Bundeschampionate. You’ve probably heard of the German dressage rider as not only is she incredibly talented, but she’s been associated with some really super horses. The stallions Belantis and Lordy Carnaby, Victoria’s Secret, Daily Pleasure and also Isabell Werth’s current Olympic mount and European Champion, Weihegold. Beatrice was stationed at Isabell’s for five years before going it alone about 18 months ago, basing herself at Gut Kostenschlag, the stable of long time friends and supporters, the Hödl Family. She’s been successful at Bundeschampionates, Grand Prix and everything in between and has a Nürnberger Burg Pokal and Louisdor Prize to her name. Beatrice talks about working with Isabell and what she learnt, the importance of softness in the horses and how to best prepare and manage the young horses for the big shows. Why she like sensitive, intelligent horses and managing her charges to keep them sound right from the young horse classes to Grand Prix. And of course there’s the important questions: what’s Isabell like as a coach and what was it like to have Weihegold as your first Grand Prix horse?! Link to the transcribed interview: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2018/01/beatrice-buchwald-making-it/

Chris Hector and and Roz Neve chat to their friend and master German horsewoman Susanne Miesner. Susanne has been successfully training horses for over 30 years and was awarded with the “Stensbeck plaque”. Her trainers have been Herbert Rehbein, Fritz Tempelmann and Johann Hinnemann. She’s won numerous championships and Bundeschampionat titles, successfully training horses from young horse classes to Grand Prix. She has incredible theoretical knowledge as well and was one of three authors to write the “The Principles of Riding” for the German National Equestrian Federation and has been a member of the German bereiter testing committee for over 15 years Susanne talks about the problem with some bits, the main key to good dressage and making the horse better at each level, what is true contact and why it’s so important (and why we keep bringing you articles on it!), fitting nosebands in the most efficient and effective way. She talks about the correct half halt, the standard of riding today and ideas to uphold the principles of dressage. Link to articles: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/whos-who/meisner-susanne/

Robert Dover has been at the forefront of American dressage for over 30 years. He competed at every Olympics from 1984-2004 winning four team bronze and a WEG bronze in 1984. He has been the technical advisor to the American team since 2013. Robert’s list of trainers is just extraordinary and that’s played an enormous part of America’s success and depth of good talent in America has today. Robert discusses judging through the ages, how the public loses with the new three horse team policy and the the risk to our art of change for change sake and why riders as a group should be consulted first before changes are put into place. He talks about the role media plays in the sport, why Isabell gets the marks that she does and he also touches on life outside of dressage. And what does Robert have in common with Bob Hope and Cher?

Isabell is simply the queen of dressage. She’s been to the Olympics five times and has won 10 medals in the process as well as six world championship titles. Her success began early, back in the 80s on the big chestnut Gigolo owned by Dr Uwe Shulten-Baumer whom she trained with for 16 years before going it alone. Unfortunately I didn’t conduct this interview! Journalist extraordinaire and The Horse Magazine’s editor Chris Hector caught up with the champion at Aachen and talks to her about the ups and downs of the top sport and coming back from the dips. She shares her real love…..trying to find “the key” for each horse; she never gives up on them. She tells what she looks for in her horses and what struck her with more interesting individuals such as Don Johnson. Isabell talks about her time with Dr Schulten-Baumer and who she’s has turned to for help since she’s been on her own. And finally….. the topic of how to improve judging in the modern sport and the education of judges. And her big takeaway? NEVER GIVE UP! Link to Bates website: https://www.batessaddles.com/au/ Link to transcribed interview: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2017/08/isabell-werth-on-the-ups-the-downs-and-what-lies-ahead/

Portugal’s show jumping queen Luciana Diniz is a three time Olympian who was born into a horsey family in Brazil and is now based in Germany. We talk about dealing with stress, getting over injury and her wonder horse Fit For Fun. And what advice did she get from her idol Roger Federer? The transcribed interview can be found at: www.horsemagazine.com Luciana's website is: www.luciana-diniz.com

Albert Voorn…one of the Netherlands most successful…and most controversial show jumpers and coaches. He won the individual silver at the Sydney Olympics and has competed in many Nations Cups. He continues to pass on his knowledge and is quick to speak his mind but in doing so, gives very thoughtful answers. He’s a gentleman and is quick to stand up for what he believes and is always on the side of the horse. You may not agree with everything he says, but he will definitely make you think. We discuss horse welfare, expand on his video that went viral about angry, young, riders, the problem with the 2* circuit in Europe, why it’s better to respect your horse than to love it as well as when to stand up for things and when to step back. A link to the interview can be found here: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/2018/03/albert-voorn-showjumping-good-bad-ugly/

Johnny needs little introduction to the dressage world. He’s been the trainer of the German A, B and Future Squads and has himself competed in all three disciplines of Dressage, Jumping, and Eventing. He completed his bereitership with Rosemarie Springer and later trained with Herbert Rehbein and Detlef Saul. He’s had numerous Grand Prix victories including the German Professional’s Championships in Balve in 1992. Today you’ll always see him arena side at all the major championships, helping the top riders and always with a smile on his face! A link to the transcribed interview can be found here: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/whos-who/hiberath-jonny/

Carl Hester, who is arguably one of our great modern dressage masters. We look at modern dressage, what’s good, what’s not and why, learning from others and that often contraversal topic of expression in the dressage horse. Carl talks about working with “average horses’….his words…and they’re in air quotes….and the importance of belief in your horse. The transcribed interview can be found here: http://www.horsemagazine.com/thm/