Julia Krajeswski literally dominated the CCI4 * L dI saumur riding Amande de B’Neville, 11-year-old bay Selle Français mare sired by Oscar des Fontaines. Julia, born in 1988, is the rising star of the German silver medal team from the 2016 Rio Summer Olympic Games. This is a turning point for her, as she has recently put her flagship horse Samurai du Thot to rest. This is what she told us after the competition, on her return to Germany.

Photo – Julia Krajeswski dominates in the  CCI4 * L dI saumur riding Amande de B’Neville (Noora Cederberg)

Unexpected Victory

Question:
Did you expect such a victory, with such absolute domination? With what idea did you enter this competition?

Julia:
“Well no, I didn’t expect a win, I was hoping for a top 5 result, but mainly wanted to secure the qualifying result, yet a good one.”

Question:
Let’s review the competition phases together. In dressage, what can you tell us about the horse’s performance? Do you think there is still something to improve? Is this a delicate test for the mare?

Julia:
“Amande has a lot of presence in the dressage arena, and I think that is in her favour as she is liked by the judges. I liked her flying changes, extended trot/canter, she had good lateral work and I liked that she relaxed during the test, as it is important for me to feel that she is getting confident in a big arena. For the future, I think, once she is really confident, she can score below 20, as she has all it needs, but for now, I am very happy with what she showed.”

Question:
Did you think you would jump to the top of the rankings and put everyone behind?

Julia:
“I thought she could be up there in the better ranks, but it obviously also depends on the other riders and how the judges like her”

On Cross Country

Question:
What were the delicate points to keep an eye on? How was the track in your opinion? Did everything turn out as you wanted? You have dealt with combinations with such ease, taking them diagonally…this horse has a really elastic jump. What can you say?

Julia:
“There were some combinations that required good accuracy (7a-c, 11a-c, 14a-c for example) and they came early on, so you needed to have your horse organized early enough. Later it was more about having a fit horse, to answer the later technical questions well even after the long gallops in the forest. I know that Amande is a super good galloper, and very fit, so I spent a bit more time to have the first combinations accurate as I knew she can easily make up a few seconds later on. It went just like that, she was very well listening in the beginning, very straight and honest, super jumping and finished very fit and I didn’t have to push her much to make the time. So yes, it went as I planned it. Its super fun to ride her xc, she is like a panther.”

Question:
Did you consider any of the competing pairs dangerous?

Julia:
“I don’t understand this question! From how they were riding I can’t say, because I only saw the very first few riders and then had to prepare my horse…”

Cleverly Build Course

Question:
Last to enter. How did the ride look like? Amande was still fresh, willing, agile and  responsive behind. Beautiful condition! You rode in the pelham like in the cross country. How did the mare feel? You made a very interesting shot from the outside on the white vertical: what did you think?

Julia:
“Amande is a very good jumper, so I was not too worried, but obviously you want to get everything right and a pole happens quick enough. The course was up to height and cleverly built, with the time being measured tight enough. Warming up I felt that my mare was jumping super well, so I only had a get the right rhythm and not disturb her too much! I jump her with a straigth bar Pelham, because she can be quite strong but is also quite sensitive. With the pelham she seems both responding but also happy to take the contact. Its the same pelham like I use for xc, but its put in a slightly different way.”

“To be honest, the turn to the white vertical (10) only got as wide as I dropped my inside rein after fence 9 and needed two strides to organize myself….things happen.”

Question:
What a fantastic mare this Amande de B’Neville called “Mandy”. Tell us about her, where did you find her, how long have you been riding her, what do you like, strengths and weaknesses, (if any) what do you want to improve? I know she has a super jump line …

Julia:
“Mandy came to me when she was 6, and had only show jumped in France, she was spotted by the same lady (Myriam Meylemans) who sourced Samourai du Thot. She has always been a super jumper and brave and forward thinking, but she  took some time to establish all disciplines in a relaxed enough manner. She has boundless energy and is rather putting too much effort than too little. She has had some good results already, being placed in 4* like Chatsworth and Arville, but I only felt this year that everything is starting to really come together. If she is lacking anything then it is patience. She can be quite mareish and I learn a good deal about compromises with her, but on the other hand, she is a real fighter and never wants to disappoint! “

Dynamic Riding Style

Question:
On your riding style. you are very stable and solid in the saddle as German, but also very light and dynamic in cross country and jumping (almost Italian I would say) how did you reach this “equestrian concept”? Alone or through your coaches?

Julia:
“Well I am convinced that without a good coach you don’t get far and since I don’t come from a horse family, I would surely have gone nowhere without one! My longtime coach, Rüdiger Schwarz, had a big impact as well as Chris Bartle about how to think and ride about xc riding and training of the horses in general. Apart from these two, there is a couple of other coaches that helped or help me along the way, also I like to watch and learn with other riders. Generally, I absolutely believe in balance. A balanced horse (which in the end is established in the flat work) and a balanced rider, can make something out of most situations and its the least energy consuming way of doing things if its balanced and effortless.”

Question:
As a rider, you also show a good athletic condition in the saddle: do you follow an athletic training program?

Julia:
“I do. I  try to work out regularly yes, depends a bit on the schedule but putting emphasis on core strength and stability and general stamina is important to do the horse justice I would say.”

Future Goals

Question:
After Saumur, what are your plans and goals for the eventing season?

Julia:
“With Amande, the next event would be the national championships in Luhmühlen, at the end of June. After that we will see, I would like to take her to a championship this year or, if not, do the first 5*. Apart from her, I have a bunch of nice young horses, of which I would like to bring one to Le Lion d’Angers, 6-year-old World Championships and then I also have my ‘other’ job as the junior national coach. With their European Championships at the end of August. Doing well there is another goal!”