Introducing Milena Sulzer: A Passionate Dressage Rider

1. Career & Passion

What inspired you to start dressage riding, and how has your passion evolved over time? Since I was 6 years old, I started vaulting and developed my passion for horses. I spent almost every day at the stable, although initially, I also regularly attended climbing training. However, I chose horses and gave up climbing. Until I was 13, I participated in youth dressage competitions but also enjoyed jumping. However, I decided on dressage when I received my first dressage pony in 2015. Since then, dressage has been my great passion, although I still enjoy taking jumping lessons; a bit of action is necessary. However, many great horses and rider pairs convinced me of dressage, seeing them dance through the arena in harmony and relaxation, making it look simple and effortless. That’s the great art I still strive for today.

2. Challenges & Achievements

Could you tell us about a particular challenge you had to overcome in your dressage career, and how did you manage it? One of my biggest challenges so far was/is my first horse, Heavenly. Heavenly is a Hanoverian mare, now 18 years old. I got her when I was 14, and she was supposed to introduce me to the junior tour and make it easier. Easier said than done… Heavenly has always been a very “hot” mare, whether in training or at competitions. In hindsight, we had to realize that she was actually too difficult for me at the time we bought her. We had to invest an incredible amount of time in training and schooling, so that after a few years, I could show very nice M-level movements in training. However, at competitions, she was like a different horse and became so hot in the test that I could hardly ride. I think this is something that gnawed at me for a long time, that I could ride flawless tests up to St. Georg at home, but at competitions, I sometimes barely reached 60% in a simple M test. We retired Heavenly in 2022, but she is still in top condition in our stable and enjoys light work. By then, I had collected several S-classifications, but she hasn’t become easier until today. This was a time when I had to persevere incredibly and didn’t give up. Yes, one could say that the “great” success in competitions was lacking, yet I am sure that without Heavenly, I wouldn’t be where I am now, because this mare taught me more than any other horse, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.

3. Training & Preparation

What does your typical training day look like, and how do you prepare for competitions? My training day always looks different, depending on what my horses need. However, I always try to make the training very varied, which includes 2-3 times dressage training per week, pole work, 2x riding out, and aqua training. My training routine doesn’t change too much before competitions. However, I always make sure to keep the horses very motivated before competitions, which means riding out, and on the day before departure to the competition, I like to do pole work, as my horses loosen up very well through that.