Spanish international FEI dressage rider Lucie Moreillon has represented her country many times at Young Rider level and was part of the Spanish Young Rider team at the 2023 European Championships. Based in Switzerland, Lucie is also enjoying lots of success individually. 2024 will be her last year at Young Riders and she is working towards Under 25’s where she is sure to be a success.
Tell us about your horses
Lucie with Rivan enjoying some downtime together. She says, “We are kind of alike, big temper, fiery head, kind, with a strong and healthy mind.”
Rivan came into to my life three years ago, by complete luck. My other horse was being sold for something that was better for her in her mind and for her body and at that point I was lost, we were searching for a horse but definitely not Rivan. Some friends of my family told us about him and we went to try him, I can’t explain how but at that exact moment I knew he was special.
He was a bit complicated in his head. He still has such a big temper, but he can be so lovely. He thought me so much and he help me to improve my riding technique. We are kind of alike, big temper, fiery head, kind, and with a strong and healthy mind. We both love competition but what we prefer I think is when we both are in a sort of connection during a ride, that is for me the best feeling.
How did horses come into your life?
I start riding when I was four years old, in the pony club not far away from my house. Then I started to take it seriously and at the age of twelve my parents bought me my first pony, Top Night Life d’Arx.
When and where do you ride?
Lucie and Rivan after yet another successful international outing
I ride three to four times a week, I do sometimes hard work and sometimes more chilled, such as gymnastics or going for a trotting in the forest. My horse also has one day rest per week. I ride in a place called Ecurie de la Rossat, it’s in Switzerland.
Who do you train with?
I have a regular coach his name’s Ralf Hannöver, he’s German. I train with him approximately once a week, but it depends. We usually do video training because he lives in the North of Germany. I try to go to his stable once or twice a year and spend two weeks to a month training there. I have been training with him for two years now.
What are you and your horses currently working on?
We are working on young riders, but we are slowly preparing the U25, it’s coming up fast and we need to be prepared for it, but we also need to ride and to our best for this last season in Young Riders.
What do you love about riding?
Lucie and Rivan in spectacular form whilst competing at Le Mans
I love the feeling you have, and I feel free when I ride my horse. I also have the impression to fly and dance, it’s a relationship that I will never be able to have in any other way in my life. Riding is not a passion anymore it’s a part of me, it’s me, riding has made me grown up and every day I learn something.
What would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?
In horse riding I’m dreaming of going to the Olympics. I would also love to share this passion with others by giving lesson to youngsters or anyone who would like to learn and is motivated.
It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?
Lucie looking delighted with Rivan after another good test
I’m so lucky to have so many people behind me, first of all I have my parents without them I wouldn’t be here today, I’ve got an amazing farrier, an unbelievable veterinarian, a massage woman for my horse and me, box teacher, my trainer, some partners who believe in me. I can’t be more grateful than I am already. Thank you to this team.
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
I have a big temper, now I’m used to it and I know how to control it, but before I always wanted to be perfect, so I was too hard on myself, today I’m just hard.
How do you deal with them?
I learnt how to breath when I am stressing or becoming angry. When I’m frustrated, I write things down to relax my thoughts. I also love to talk with my coach he is a great ear and knows how to always use the right words.
Do you have any rituals before competing?
Lucie and Rivan enoying life as part of Spanish Young Rider team
I talk to my horse, I’m telling him what we need to do, how much he’s doing great, like if I was talking to myself.
Your Top Tip
Always believe in yourself and what you feel. If you think you can make it then you will, whatever others say.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
The only place you will see success before work is in the dictionary, that quote was what my father always told me when I was having a hard time.