Victoria Müller has been captivated by show jumping since she can remember, watching for hours from a stool by the indoor arena rail before her first lesson at five and a half. As an amateur rider, she has worked her way up with her self-trained horse Lomello to international 1.40m and national 1.45m level. We asked Victoria five questions.
1. Career Beginnings & Motivation
What originally fascinated you about show jumping, and what drives you to keep growing in this demanding sport?
For as long as I can remember, it has been my dream to become a show jumper. I spent hours sitting on a stool by the rail of the indoor arena, watching, until I was finally allowed to take my first riding lesson at five and a half. What still fascinates me to this day is the harmony and mutual trust between rider and horse. It is exactly this special interplay that makes the sport unique for me. The important thing is to never lose sight of your goal and to always believe in yourself and in your horse.
2. Training & Strategy
What does your day-to-day training look like, and what role does the relationship with your horse play in preparing for competitions?
There is no single perfect strategy in equestrian sport. Every training programme has to be tailored individually to each horse. A young horse, for example, needs more work than an experienced, older one. Once a horse is competing at a certain level, I believe deliberate jumping breaks are also enormously important. In winter, for instance, my horses don't jump at all for several weeks. After that, we start again with gymnastic work and build the training back up step by step. During the season, it is mostly about keeping the horses happy. The relationship with the horse plays a decisive role in equestrian sport. If you work against your horse, that may go well for a while. But if you want to be successful long-term, you have to be a team. In hardly any other sport is the bond between two living beings as close as this.
3. Highlights & Experience
Which moment in the saddle has stayed with you the most, and what have you taken away from it?
One truly special moment was the first 1.45m placing with my self-trained horse Lomello at the show in Stadl-Paura. In 2022, I rode his first international 1.10m class there as a six-year-old. Three years later, also in Stadl-Paura, we placed seventh in his first 1.45m class. What I have taken from this: go your own way and don't let anyone take your courage from you. In equestrian sport, there are unfortunately often more rivals than real friends. But the friends who honestly believe in you and support you are all the more precious for it.
4. Brand Partnership
How do our products support you in everyday training and at competitions, and what makes the difference for you?
I used to think of an apple as nothing more than a piece of food. I had no idea what else could be made from one. And yes, that's right: a leather alternative! When Patrizia first showed me Equinetree's products, I was truly fascinated by the possibilities. I'm a bit of a neat freak and clean my tack every day. Classical leather requires a great deal of care: saddle soap, oils, and a fair amount of time. Equinetree's products make it all far simpler: a quick rinse under water, dry off, and done. You can hardly get faster or more practical than that. I'm also genuinely excited that new ideas keep being developed and the products keep being improved.
5. Goals & Vision
Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both in sport and as a brand ambassador, and what steps are you taking to get there?
My big dream is to one day ride a 1.50m class with Lomello. That said, a few years ago I would never have dreamed of the current 1.45m results either. So I always say: if I can simply hold the current level, I am already overjoyed. The most important thing for me is that my horse stays healthy and continues to fight for me the way he does. Especially as an amateur rider, I have learned that there are more important things in life than success: beautiful competitions, the people around you who believe in you, a good team, good health, and above all simply enjoying the time. I am very proud to be part of Equinetree and to be allowed to represent the brand as an ambassador on my journey.