David Blasco is a Spanish dressage rider and trainer based in Germany where he has lived for almost nine years. Whilst there, he has worked for international stables and Olympic trainers picking up invaluable experiences along the way. A year ago, David started his own training stable in Ochtrup and is excited to have taken that step.
How did horses come into your life and transpire to dressage?
David and Veuve Clicquot HS at Hagen
In my hometown San Lorenzo, de El Escorial I used to see horses often go for a hack or social events and I was always fascinated by them. At the age of eight I asked my family to go riding and it was the beginning of it all and I just wanted to spend time at the stable, and it grew from there.
Who have been the most influential people?
I have to say I have been lucky that I had many people helping me on the way. Ruben Arrabe was the rider I grew with and learnt the basics from starting under the saddle up to Young Rider competitions. With the support from Isabel Osuna and she always treated me as her own child and gave me horses to develop and learn.
Four years later I decided to move to Germany. The first period was under training from Albrecht Heidemann, who was Team trainer for the Canadian young team, actual trainer for team Colombia and developed many top riders in America. I spent almost two years under his daily guidance, and I can tell you, that was the person that taught me to be a real “professional” by giving me such clear explanations and understanding from the aids, horse’s reactions and biomechanics, he is like an open book. That period was nice, and I developed many horses from young to GP movements.
A short period with Hof Kasselman followed where I could ride many different types of horses and online auction. Then was my period at Stallion Stable with Ingo and Susan Pape, near Hamburg. A super nice family with top horses, ethics and knowledge where I could ride young horse classes, medium, S and small GP level under their training. It was a special feeling to ride stallions like Fusionist and V-Plus who I presented for his approval and made some Stallion shows when Susan was competing in Florida
David and V Plus
image courtesy of Kiki Beelitz
Then I went to Olympic trainer and Spanish team trainer Rudolf Zeillinger, where I spent almost three years with the main focus on developing horses to GP. I barely competed during that period but trained many horses to the high level and was convinced to become self-employed on the afternoon riding for Family Kamphorst and developing their young horses and making some national shows. Rudolf changed his home to Switzerland and that made me take the new opportunity in Patrik Kittels stable. That was like the master at university, high quality horses, meticulous management and top training which came with so many positives and knowledge.
I competed with Veuve Clicquet on Nüremberger Borgpokal qualifiers and some Short GP on Silverstone Melodi. He taught me many things on developing to GP and also how to present on the show ground. I am so thankful or that time. After almost two years there I made the jump into my own business and here we are, one year of David Blasco Dressage and we keep on going, so happy with my horses, customers and the team around me.
Who do you train with?
At the moment I train as often as I can but is always difficult to combine. Borja Carrascosa, Christoph Koschel and Holga Finken help me at the moment the most.
What do you love about dressage?
David and Don Jazz
Dressage is for me communication between horse and rider, and we should keep working hard to keep that. The market sometimes pushes to produce, but we should never lose the focus on: ‘What does my horse need?’ On every training stage and age, I love dressage when it gets “easy” to do, for horse and rider and it is nice to see from outside.
What is your training philosophy?
The main philosophy is that, to make it easy. Step by step, clear to the horse, develop as much as possible on their own timings and being aware of where the limits and possibilities are.
Future aspirations?
My main goal is to keep developing the best we can for each horse, to have healthy relationship with my customers based on trust and communication and to be able to have long term collaborations that allows us to develop the horses to the top. I have super owners at the moment and can’t complain at all.
Proudest moments?
image courtesy of Rick Ruchel
The biggest achievement is always the “first times” , because it was for me always like goals that I got after many years of working for the opportunity First S win in Germany, first GP, first Stallion show, every step forward in the “goal direction” is a big achievement.
Challenging moments?
The biggest challenge has always been to deal with the weather in Germany and having my family far away from me.
What in your opinion do you think it takes to get to Grand Prix in dressage?
To get to Grand Prix it takes a lot of work, control over the aids, the horses reactions, body position, balance and willingness to work. It’s not always easy to find a horse that is able and willing to train up to GP, and you must be aware of that. Once you get one that can get there, it is difficult to keep it as it often gets sold. The biggest thing that I appreciate in a horse is the willingness to work, from there you train the rest!
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
The team is super important, and I am so lucky I have super people around me at the moment. My biggest support is my girlfriend Laura, who helps me every day with everything. In the stable my assistant rider Albert makes sure all horses keep working and makes it much easier for me. My Farriers, vets, physios are all super. And my clients have the same ideas as me so that allows me to keep having the team the way we need and want it.
Your Top Tip
Enjoy every step of the process, don’t get lost in social media pressure and it can look shiny and fast competition results. Keep working in the right way and ensure your horse enjoys it to! If you ger frustrated, think. Don’t get angry with the horse, and the next day start from the beginning.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Patience