Anina Gerhardt is a German dressage rider and trainer based in the south of Munich. Anina is based at a small stable, where she also keeps her own horses. She also visits clients at their own stables. Twenty-eight year-old, Anina studies sports at TUM university.
Amongst her many notable achievements are qualifying for the Bundeschampionat; Germany’s national championships for young horses. The event is a significant indicator of a horse’s promise and a highlight of the German equestrian calendar. Anina is also a recipient of the Stensbeck Medal, a prestigious award in German equestrianism given to the top horse rider and trainer graduates. Winners of the Stensbeck Medal are often recognized as future leaders in the German and international equestrian scene.
How did horses come into your life and transpire to dressage?
Anina at the Bundeschampionat 2020. One of her proudest moments
I was six years old when horses came into my life, I started vaulting, which I did for eleven years. With ten I was allowed to ride, the horses were all tall ones, so we were allowed only from ten on to start. It came out very quickly that I have a talent for riding. It didn’t take long I had a lot of horses to care for and ride. I spend more time in the stable than anywhere else, it was my world but I was never really a competition or a pony girl, I rode a lot for myself, figuring things out.
My first real competition was when I was already twenty years old in the stable of Uta Gräf, where I did my “Bereiter”, it was a young horse class at A level, we won. Why dressage? It kind of fell into my arms, it fits. Jumping is fun but I was always into dressage. I love the details.
Who have been the most influential people?
Anina and her “young girl”, Milli
The most influential people were definitely my very first riding trainer, we are still friends. She was so ambitious with me, I loved how she pushed me and helped me find the right buttons. Then I learned a lot from Stefan Schneider! We did all the young and crazy horses together at Utas place and there was nothing what would not work out for us, we always found a way.
And then of course Isabell Werth, I learned so much from seeing her ride and got a feeling of how through a horse can be. It really changed my perspective on the horse’s body.
Who do you train with?
Right now, I have no trainer by my side – I find it difficult to find someone on the same wavelength and what concerns I have with my training methods and I’m very stubborn. I like to ride very intuitively.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
The people in my stable, who look after my horses and take care of them when I’m not there. My best friend who always supports me in every crazy idea and we talk through everything. And all my friends and family who stand behind me.
Proudest moments?
Anina at the Hannoveraner Auction 2022
Qualifying for Bundeschampionat in 2020 and Stensbeck medal. All the horses who came to me unrideable and left ridden and happy. But mostly the moments in everyday work when I feel like I reached the next level in something.
What have been some challenges?
Mostly all with my own Theo, who was superhot all the time and trotted like a normal Spanish horse- what he is actually.
What do you think it takes to reach the top in dressage?
Anina with Theo. “My once in a lifetime horse”
I think you need the luck to meet the right people/get to ride good horses and keep them. Talent and hard work. And also, courage to dream big!
What advice can you offer a rider who wants to improve?
Think about your mistakes (not the horses mistakes) and what you should do different, change yourself for the horse. Take a step back, think about your seat, your aids, what you do up there.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Sometimes first studying, then horses, sometimes straight to the horses. Everyday varies, riding and training with clients.
Your Top Tip
“Cuddles are important”
The glass is half full, make something out of it.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Best advice ever given: In life there is always a solution (from my dad)
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Anina you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here. You can keep up with Anina’s progress and visit her instagram page here