Many ten-year-olds have been in the same situation, but not many are able to boast international medals some twenty years later. So far, Daniels’ greatest achievements is a gold medal in the World Championships, and a silver medal at the Olympics, competing for the Danish dressage team. But this ten-year-old had a very (very) strong will—and a neighbour, Morten Thomsen, an international rider for Denmark. Soon, Daniel spent all his time at Mortens’ place, and while he was still in his mid-teens, Morten helped him to start his certified trainer education for Rudolf Zeilinger in Germany.
A Better Rider Every Day
DANIEL BACHMANN ANDERSEN became smitten with horses, and dressage, when he was a child.
– I’m not from a typical horse family, he says. I started at the local riding club, like anyone else. I was very fascinated by the horses, the animals themselves, and wanted to find out everything about them. From the age of ten, all I ever wanted to do was to be with the horses, and ride.
AFTER A FEW YEARS at other stables as a certified trainer (he has no idea how many horses he has ridden), he now runs his own business together with his wife, Tiril, and competes as well.
– But competing has never been my first priority, says Daniel. I have always wanted to become a good rider, and a good horseman, the shows are secondary. To me, the bond with the horse is more important than the showing.
Asked about his riding style, Daniel uses the word “soft” more than anything else.
– I try to be soft, says Daniel. I give a signal, and try to be very quick to release it. The best way to reward a horse is to get away with your signal. This is pretty much my style, and what I opt for anytime.
Daniel stresses that horses are individuals. He tries to find out what fits, in the saddle as well as out of it.
– It’s a way of creating that bond, he explains. I try to find the best way of training for each horse. I also want to find out how that horse wants to live. I’m trying to bend myself to fit the horse, not the other way around.
WHEN DANIEL IS LOOKING for a horse, it’s not only the obvious things, like quality in walk, canter and conformation.
– Something that is very important to me is a good work ethic, says Daniel. And I want a horse that is not lazy, but not too sharp either. But there are other things: are they good in the stable, can they travel, are they relaxed and confident?
A horse that is having a hard time when travelling or getting to new places will not be a happy horse. Daniel stresses that digestion is important, and wants a horse that likes to eat.
– All this is something you can teach a young horse, says Daniel. But with an older horse, it can be harder.
Daniel prefers to work slowly, giving the horse the time it takes. When he starts to compete, the horse shall be ready for it.
– When I bring my horses to a show, they’re pretty much the same as at home, he says. Of course, there’s always exceptions, some horses are more difficult than others, but in general I feel they are so trusting, so much on my aids. I'm always amazed that they’re so cool, so good.
Taking it slow and easy means that the horses never learn to be afraid. Asking too much of a horse that is not mentally ready can cause traumas.
– Many people say “ahh, it doesn’t work at the shows”, says Daniel. But then, I’m like “yeah, well, maybe you don’t have the right base, or the right bond, at home”.
WHEN DANIEL LEFT left Blu Hors to start his own business, he started to talk feed with his friend and former trainer Jesper, who happens to work for KRAFFT.
– Jesper brought me up to speed, says Daniel, and I must say KRAFFT has been super. I have been on the Danish team since then!
Maybe that is not entirely down to KRAFFT, but Daniel says that good horses need good nutrition.
– We feed four times a day, says Daniel, and every horse is a bit different. Some of them eat Groov Original and some are on Groov Protein. Quite a few of them are getting Performance SPC MaxBalance. We add Lucerne, too, and in the evening they get Low Starch Gastro Mash® or Recharge Mash.
For Vayron, the Westfalen stallion Daniel saddled for a couple of years and had great success with, Max Balance made a huge difference.
– I felt that Vayron did not have enough energy, Daniel recalls. He felt a bit tired, especially after travelling. He was a wee bit skinny as well, so I talked to Jesper, and we decided to try MaxBalance. Within a few months I could see the difference: he gained some weight, it was easier for him to build up the strength and he started to perform better. Now, I use MaxBalance for almost any horse. I start them up on a combination of Groov Protein and MaxBalance, plus of course very good hay. This combination has proved really beneficial.
TRAVELING IS TAXING, not only for horses. A lot of travelling goes with the territory, but Daniel doesn’t mind—although he is always happy to be on his way home.
– Yes, it is nice to be home, Daniel acknowledges. Family and friends are important. I’m actually very social, and like to do the same things as anybody else—see my friends, play games with the kids, barbecue in the garden, go to the summer house … talk to my wife. We have been together for many, many years, but we can still talk for hours. I enjoy that a lot, and somehow we keep amazing each other.
Text: Noomi Hebert
Foto: Ridehesten.com Kristine Ulsø Olsen
