Lia Koudouni is an international dressage rider based in Thessaloniki, Greece. Lia combines riding each day alongside her main business which is pharmaceutical wholesaling in Greece and across Europe.She says ” Horse riding is my passion and my love ever since I was a child. I spend every day both in the stable and the office, equal times, which in fact leads to a very busy day.”
What is your schedule and training plan with the horses?
Lia at the prizegiving with Morricone at their last show in Mariakalnok
My top priority is that my horses stay healthy and fit during their athletic career but also in retirement, since I have kept all my horses over this period. For this I focus on a training system that builds stamina and muscle strength while maintaining a solid balance with relaxation and fun time. All my horses are turned out three times a day. This includes some free time in our spacious paddocks, hand walking and grazing, aqua training or longing. My horses are ridden 3-5 times a week depending on their age, training level and competition period. The training involves of course practicing the dressage exercises with absolute precision, but also stretching and gymnastics, even some jumps or cantering around the racetrack. On a sunny day galloping at the beach or taking a swim with the horses is also a great option. My goal is to keep the horses motivated and willing to work. Overall, our stable focuses on keeping a smaller number of talented horses so that we can provide the best possible support and training all the way. At the moment my main horses are Collier and Morricone, both stallions, age 15 and 11. Collier is a well-established S class horse and Morri is getting prepared for the Grand Prix next year.
How did horses come into your life?
I first started riding as a child, at five years of age, out of true love and passion for horses. I have been committed to horses ever since. My sports career started a few years later at age ten, when I chose dressage as my primary discipline. The truth is I first started with show jumping as most riders do in Greece because dressage is really not popular. My trainer at that time had been doing eventing so he focused also quite a lot on the flat work and dressage part. Though I had just bought my first horse as a jumping horse, he seemed very good also in dressage and I decided to give it a go. With Donus I won four consecutive years gold medal in the National Championships in the children’s class. This horse had the biggest heart, and he always gave me his best. At that point I knew we were both made for dressage. I loved the details and the discipline needed to perform in such a fluent and harmonious way. I am a perfectionist and this is what dressage is all about.
Your dressage highlights?
Lia with Morri chilling at his paddock and enjoying cuddles
I think a big highlight was when I made the big step to the international sport as a member of the Greek National Team, winning gold medals in the Balkan Championships for the Individual and Team competition at the Children, Juniors and Young Riders classes with my stallion Donnergroll. With Grolly I competed four times in the European Championships for Juniors and multiple international competitions. Following that I believe the next big milestone was when I shifted my energy in building up young horses. I believe that training your horse for the higher classes is one of the biggest challenges for a rider but also the biggest reward for all the hard work. It is important to believe in your horse during every step of this long procedure and keep practicing until you make it. I first trained my stallion Filius Bedo up to Prix St George and then Collier, with whom I also qualified and participated in the World Championships for Young Horses. This doesn’t highlight as much the results as the magnificent journey of establishing your own horse for the higher classes, and with Morricone preparing for the GP, I feel really grateful that three of my stallions have made it so far.
What do you think has been your biggest challenge?
Actually, my location. Being so far away from the centre of Europe provides very few opportunities regarding training and competition. For most of my career I have been training mainly alone. The last years as technology improves, I have been using videocalls to train but still it is not as if you have a permanent trainer. Unfortunately, though it may sound hard to believe, my hometown doesn’t have any other dressage riders so there are really no options for getting some help. On the other hand, travelling to Europe for competitions and training is a minimum three-day trip. And in combination with my job, it’s hard to travel so often. Also, very exhausting for the horses. Thus, the distance I believe overall we have managed to make some very nice shows with my horses all over Europe, but it is a great challenge to travel and to keep up with the very competitive and dynamic environment so far from the centre of the sport.
Horse that holds a special place in your heart?
I have to say my first horse, Donus. Not only because he was my first horse and stayed besides me through his long retirement, we literally grew up together, but more because he taught me that when you chase your dream you can make it happen. He was a naughty little pony that knocked me off twice a day. But I never gave up. Once I gained his trust, we were unbeatable. We entered 62 competitions and we were placed 1st in 60 of them and 2nd in 2. And it was such a hard start and a huge reward we succeeded so much.
How do you build a strong and trusting relationship with your horses?
Lia with Collier who is being a sweetheart as always. Lia says “such a pretty face”
For me it’s not about the result, it’s about spending every day with the horses, seeing them grow, getting better, developing and making progress. The result is the outcome of hard work and devotion; it’s never the reason to get back up in the saddle. What makes our sport so special is the connection you build with the horse. When I ride, I feel is it a good day for my horse or not, how can I make the best of them, but in a way that they are willing to do it not that they are forced. This is what I believe makes my riding system so different and all my horses feel so supple, easy-going and motivated. We are really a team; I give them the best and they give it back to me. And I would rather have a happy horse and a true bond than any gold medal in the world, this is what our sport is often missing, and this is what true horsemanship means. So, there is really no secret in building a trusting relationship, rather than providing the best conditions and training in a positive way. The horses can feel they are loved and this creates the best combination. One of the reasons I haven’t chosen riding as my job, is because all I love about it is the bond and trust you can build with a horse, and in a sales stable, this is almost impossible to create.
What do you think horses have taught you?
Where there is a lot of love, there is also a lot of pain. But it’s so worth it all the way. Horses make you feel the strongest emotions. Unlike any other sport horse riding includes a living creature. Sometimes you feel so connected to your horse, more than with other humans. And they do get sick, injured, they age. And it’s so hard to face this. But on the other hand, they teach you that the little things matter, they teach you selfless love, patience and commitment. Actually, they teach you life.
Your future goals?
My future goals are another World Championship for Young Horses and riding the Grand Prix, World Equestrian Games and European Championships with my Morri pony.
Your Top Tip
Doesn’t matter how many times you fall as long as you get back in the saddle again, and by fall, I mean literally or metaphorically. Believe in your horse and it will prove you right.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
On a competition day I would say “enjoy the ride”. I think as riders we are often so stressed and ambitious to ride a good test when at a show that we often miss the fun out of it, we forget to enjoy the moment. My mother always tells me enjoy your ride, instead of good luck and I find it really wise. Afterall this is what competitions are all about. And behind all the hard work, the effort, the disappointment, the victories, we must never forget to enjoy every moment with the horses and this beautiful journey.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
First of all, my two grooms that support me every day, Drilon and George. I think just important as the riding itself is the management around it. I am lucky to have a team that I can trust and that provides the best care to the horses. Additionally, the veterinary team, blacksmith and physio, Thomas Stockl, Nick Diakakis, George Plataniotis, Alexander Georgiou making sure that my horses stay healthy and sound. My trainers Beatrice Arturi, William Matthew and team coach Joanna Georgopoulou. And then of course everybody else that supports my journey, my family and my sponsors.