Henri Ruoste, dressage rider and matchmaker

But wait a minute—a thousand times? Isn’t it supposed to be a hundred times? Or maybe it’s different in Finland, the land of sisu, an expression hard to translate but that’s associated with things like determination, resilience and grit.

– Oh, I didn’t know there was a quicker way, says Herni with a laugh. But yes, my mother did say a thousand times. But I don’t think I’ve fallen off that many times, and I hope my falling off days are over, because I’m getting too old for that.

But eventually young Henri got hooked. Something that fascinated him then, and is still with him now, is the relation between horses and humans.

– Horses take you as you are, says Henri. I think there can be a real, honest and very special connection between horse and a human. And the more you learn and the more you understand them, the more you want to learn. Finding this way to communicate with them, and how they give their everything, it’s a beautiful thing. It’s hard to explain to someone who doesn’t know horses, but it’s really something special.

NOW, A FEW YEARS later, this Finnish dressage rider has turned his passion into his profession, training and selling dressage horses as well as competing. Together with his wife, Senta Kirchhoff, their two children and quite a few horses, he now runs the stable Gut Bertingloh in Menden, Germany.

Henri left Finland early, and says although he loves his country, it’s hard, or even impossible, to have his base there.

– To travel from Finland to central Europe is a very long and hard journey for the horses, says Henri. So to have our base here is perfect. But I’m happy to see that the sport is developing in Finland, and young riders now start to aim for bigger things.

Henri is in two minds about advising young talents to go abroad to train, because it can be very hard.

– It’s a big sacrifice, says Henri, to leave your family and friends behind and go. But still, if you want to be a good rider, you have to ride as good horses as possible. During my first years in Germany, I was able to ride a lot of horses, and to compete as well. And that’s how you learn.

WHEN HENRI TRIES a new horse, he is looking for rideability, balance, character and the quality of the movements.

– Character is a big factor, says Henri. It will get you a long way. I don’t really look that much  at what they have done so far in competitions. The feeling I get when I try them, what feedback they give me is more important. Horses are often like mirrors. If they are older, it might take some time for us to get used to each other, so that we are on the same page.

Finding and educating horses for the top sport is not always easy, but Henri stresses that the selling part is something that can’t be done too rushed. Even if it’s their livelihood, the horses are given the time it takes. Because a horse does need time to learn and develop, and they all learn in different ways.

– It’s our job as riders, to find a way to simplify things and be as clear as possible, says Henri. It does take time, there are no short-cuts.

–  But of course there are horses that are not meant to be Grand Prix-horses, he continues, and I think we have to be realistic and honest about that. Still, there is a home for every horse, and we always try to make the best match.

To find the best match, there are many things to take into account. Some of the more promising horses might be a bit hot, or have too much power.

– But it’s not only the rider, says Henri. It is also important, to have a good team, a good trainer and so on. Money isn’t the driving factor. It’s better to have five happy clients a year, than ten unhappy clients.

HENRI HAVE USED KRAFFT for many years, and likes to keep it simple.

– We don’t really change anything when competing or travelling, says Henri, apart from giving them some extra mash. We give Recharge Mash, and we like to keep it quite wet … the horses seems to like that, too.

He follows the feeding plans that KRAFFT suggests for each horse, using four or five different products.

– The horses look good and feel amazing, says Henri. So there is really nothing more I can ask for.

Henri is not only interested in feeding his horses— humans need food too. Together with a few friends, he owns a restaurant, Gustavo, in Turku, Finland. But apart from that, he finds it hard to find time for other interests.

–  We have two children, and I spend as much time as possible with them and Senta, says Henri. We do normal family things, and that’s of course the most important part of my life. But the days are really full with the horses, the riding and everything else that’s connected to them. There is no risk I’m getting bored!

^{Text: Noomi Heberts
Foto: Heidi Lammi}