Chatting with Diana Borovyk

Diana Borovyk is a professional Grand Prix dressage rider from Ukraine. Based at Berezan Horse Sport Club in Berezan, she trains, competes, and works with horses on a daily basis.  Diana has a wealth of experience and has enjoyed considerable success at Grand Prix level including representing her country in two European Championships as well as becoming Ukrainian Grand Prix Champion in 2025. She says “Dressage has been a major part of my life for many years, and I am passionate about developing strong partnerships with my horses while striving for excellence in the sport.”

Have you always been around horses and what led you to dressage?

My journey with horses began when I was around twelve or thirteen years old. One of my school friends introduced me to horses and invited me to the stables. Interestingly, she eventually stopped riding, but I stayed because I completely fell in love with horses from the very beginning. I never really felt afraid around them; instead, I felt a connection that made me want to learn more and spend as much time as possible at the stable.

The very first horse I ever rode was a mare called Hramka. She was incredibly calm, patient, and kind, which made her the perfect horse for a beginner. Looking back, I am very grateful to have started my journey with such a trustworthy partner. My competitive career actually began in eventing, and later I tried show jumping. However, neither discipline felt quite right for me. After some time, my mother and I decided that dressage would be a safer and more suitable path. It turned out to be one of the best decisions we ever made.

What initially attracted me to dressage was the harmony between horse and rider. I loved the idea of communicating through subtle aids and developing a true partnership rather than relying on speed or bravery alone. Over the years, that passion only grew stronger. From those first rides as a young teenager to competing at Grand Prix level and representing Ukraine at two European Championships, it has been a long journey filled with challenges, lessons, and unforgettable moments. Looking back, it is amazing to think that it all started with a school friend, one quiet horse named Hramka, and a simple curiosity that turned into a lifelong passion.

Who is in your stables and what are you working on?

My main horse is Baby Royal, born in 2012. We have been competing together for eight years, progressing through every level from Juniors all the way to Grand Prix. During our journey, we have represented Ukraine at two European Championships, became Ukrainian Grand Prix Champions in 2025, and won the Silver Medal at the 2026 Ukrainian Championships in the Grand Prix division.

My second main horse is Flord, born in 2015. He is currently competing at Small Tour and  Intermediate Tour level. In 2026, he became Ukrainian Champion in the Intermediate Tour category, and we are now preparing for the next step towards Grand Prix. If everything goes according to plan, I hope this year will mark our Grand Prix debut together.

With Baby Royal, I usually train three to four times per week between competitions, increasing the workload slightly when a show is approaching. At this stage of her career, we focus mainly on refining and improving the movements she already knows, while also incorporating plenty of relaxed, basic work to keep her happy, motivated, and comfortable. Flord is worked more regularly, usually five to six times per week. Our main focus right now is developing the Grand Prix movements and building the strength and confidence needed for the highest level of the sport. All of my horses spend time in paddocks every day, as I strongly believe that turnout and freedom of movement are essential for both their physical and mental wellbeing.

I have a personal horse, Gosudar, he taught me a lot and remains with me to this day, now he sometimes teaches children the basics that he once taught me. Now in work I also have a very promising young stallion who is currently three years old. He is just beginning his journey, and I hope to start competing with him successfully next year.

What does a typical day look like?

A typical day for me revolves around the horses. I live directly on the grounds of Berezan Horse Sport Club, so my day starts at around 7:30 a.m. I head straight to the stables and try to complete the most important work during the first half of the day, leaving administrative tasks and other responsibilities for the afternoon. Days off are quite rare, as I spend most of my time at the stable with our small but very close-knit team.

One thing that is especially important to me is the mental wellbeing of my horses. While performance and results matter, I always try to ensure that my horses enjoy their work and feel confident, relaxed, and understood. I believe that the best results come from a true partnership between horse and rider.

Who has helped with your training?

I have been fortunate to work with several trainers throughout my dressage journey, and I believe that each of them has contributed to shaping me into the rider I am today. My first trainer, who guided me through my childhood and the early stages of my riding career, was Anna Polulyashenko. She helped build the foundation of my riding and introduced me to the principles that still influence my work today.

Over the years, I also had the opportunity to train with Inna Logutenkova and Serhii Puzko. Each trainer brought a different perspective and taught me valuable lessons, both technically and mentally. Looking back, I am grateful for every stage of that journey and for the knowledge I gained from each of them.

For the past six years, I have been training with Yevheniia Kuznetsova. Finding the right trainer is never easy, and I feel very lucky to have found someone who understands both horses and riders so well. One of the things I admire most about her is her ability to find an individual approach for every horse. She places great importance on the horse’s response to the rider and pays close attention to how the horse reacts, thinks, and feels during the training process. This philosophy aligns closely with my own beliefs about dressage. While technical precision is important, I believe that true progress comes from understanding the horse and building a partnership based on trust and communication. Yevheniia has helped me develop not only as a competitor but also as a horsewoman, and our collaboration continues to play a major role in my career today. We train regularly throughout the year, both at home and during competitions, constantly working on improving the harmony, responsiveness, and overall quality of the partnership with each horse.

What do you love about dressage?

What I love most about dressage is the partnership between horse and rider. It’s not about control, but about harmony, trust, and understanding each other in the smallest details. I love that true progress comes from feel rather than force — those moments when the horse responds willingly and everything feels effortless. Every horse teaches me something different, and I enjoy the constant process of learning and improving. Most of all, dressage is special to me because it’s built on communication and respect. For me, the best feeling is when the horse is relaxed, confident, and truly with you in the work.

Can you share some of your highlights?

Some of my biggest dressage highlights include winning the Grand Prix last year, which was a very special moment for me and my team after many years of work and development with my horses. I also feel very proud of my experience competing in Aachen, as it is one of the most iconic and inspiring shows in our sport. The atmosphere there is incredible, and it was a valuable experience for my growth as a rider.

Another major highlight of my career has been representing Ukraine at the European Championships. Competing at that level and being part of such an important international event has been an unforgettable experience and a big motivation to continue improving every day.

What challenges have you faced?

One of the biggest challenges in my dressage journey has been the discipline required toward myself. Dressage demands consistency, patience, and the ability to keep working even when progress feels slow. I have learned that results take time, and staying committed every day is not always easy, but it is essential.

Another challenge is the fact that dressage is a subjective sport. Even when you feel you have done a good test, the outcome can depend on interpretation, which teaches you resilience and the ability to stay focused on your own path rather than external opinions. At the moment, however, my biggest challenges are connected to the situation in Ukraine. Training and developing in the conditions of war is extremely difficult, both practically and emotionally. It affects everyday life in many ways, but at the same time it has made me even more determined to continue working, improving, and representing my country with pride.

What is your training philosophy?

My training philosophy is based on partnership, patience, and feel. I believe that every horse is an individual, and the most important thing is to listen to what the horse is able to give at each moment, rather than forcing a fixed idea of how things “should” look. For me, correct training is built on consistency and clarity, but always with softness and respect. I try to develop strength and athletic ability in the horse without losing relaxation or willingness, because I believe the best performance comes from a calm and confident mind.

I also value long-term development over quick results. Progress in dressage takes time, and I prefer to build things step by step so that the horse stays healthy, motivated, and mentally fresh throughout its career. At the core of everything is trust. When the horse trusts the rider and the rider truly understands the horse, that is where real harmony in dressage begins.

What do you think horses have taught you?

Horses have taught me more than anything else in my life. They have taught me patience — to understand that progress takes time and cannot be rushed. They have taught me humility and acceptance, because every horse is different and not everything can be controlled or predicted. They have also taught me calmness, even in challenging situations, and how important it is to stay balanced emotionally when things do not go as planned. Most of all, they have taught me to love and stay committed regardless of circumstances. With time, I’ve learned that horses respond not just to training, but to the energy and mindset of the rider. That has shaped me not only as an athlete, but as a person as well.

A horse that holds a special place in your heart?

A very special horse in my life is my mare Baby Royal. Of course, I also have a deep love and gratitude for my horse Gosudar, but at this stage of my career Baby Royal has become the most influential horse in my journey. We have been together for many years and have grown through every level side by side, from Juniors all the way up to Grand Prix. She has been a true teacher for me in every sense, shaping not only my riding but also my understanding of what real partnership means in dressage.

What makes her so special to me is not only her talent, but her character and the journey we have built together. She has taught me patience, responsibility, and how to grow with a horse over time, rather than rushing the process. Baby Royal will always have a very special place in my heart as the horse who truly shaped my career.

Your Top Tip

My top tip would be to always listen to the horse. Horses are constantly communicating with us and telling us what they need — in their body, their tension, their reactions, and their mindset. The real skill is learning how to understand those signals and respond correctly. I believe many problems in training come not from the horse, but from the rider not noticing or not fully understanding what the horse is trying to say. When we learn to listen properly and adapt our approach, everything becomes clearer, more harmonious, and more effective. For me, true progress in dressage starts with awareness and sensitivity to the horse. When you listen first, the horse will always guide you in the right direction.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?

The best piece of advice I have ever been given is: “In difficult times, strong people are made.” This has stayed with me throughout my career, especially during moments when things felt challenging or uncertain. It reminds me that hardship is not something to avoid, but something that shapes character, resilience, and inner strength.

In dressage, as in life, progress is not linear. There are setbacks, difficult periods, and times when nothing seems to go as planned. But those are often the moments that define you the most and build the foundation for future success. This advice has helped me stay focused, keep working, and believe in the process even when results take time to come.

It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?

Dressage is always a team effort, and I am very grateful to have strong people around me who support both my horses and my career. The most important people in my team are my fiancé, Oleksandr Ivanov, and my mother.

Oleksandr is a top show jumper in Ukraine and a very experienced horseman. His knowledge of horses is incredibly deep, and he is someone I can always rely on in any situation. He brings calmness, confidence, and practical understanding into my daily work, and his support plays a huge role in my development as a rider. My mother is my biggest emotional support and one of the most important people in my life. She is an exceptional horsewoman with a natural feel and an endless love for horses, and they truly respond to her in an amazing way. She has always been there for me, supporting me in every step of my journey, and her presence gives me strength and stability.

We are also supported by the owner of most of our horses, Mykola Alifanov, who always encourages us to grow, develop, and aim higher. His trust and support are very important for our progress. Polina Barabanova is part of our team as well — a show jumper and a very supportive teammate who is always ready to help, encourage, and stand by her people, which we all truly appreciate. Recently, Yulia Pavlovska has also joined our team. She has not been with us for long, but she has already proven herself to be a reliable and positive team player who fits in very well with the stable environment. Together, all of them create a strong and supportive team that allows me to stay focused on my horses and continue developing in dressage.