Chatting with Amy Schiessl

This week I’m delighted to be chatting with the extremely talented British international Grand Prix dressage rider Amy Schiessl.  Amy has represented Great Britain at European Young Rider championships and runs her own business near Royal Wootton Bassett where she coaches and has full, training and sales liveries as well as an increasing number of successful dressage clients. She currently has some very exciting young horses which look set to achieve major success as they develop. Read on to discover more about this very gifted equestrian, her horses, her ambitions, and her top tip for success.

 

Tell us a little about you and your horses

  I’m 26 originally from Jersey but now live in Wiltshire, where I run my dressage stables. I’m incredibly lucky to have some fantastic horses in my life. My top horse was Mr Mercury (aka Mercury), who I trained with Nicky Pasco from a hunter to International Grand Prix, we were also part of the 2016 Young Rider European Team. I retired him in 2019 after winning the Hickstead U25’s CDI and competing at the nationals at Grand Prix.

So over to my young horses, MFS Cindy Utopia (aka Dory) is a 6 year old mare who we owned from a foal. She is an unbelievably talented young horse and I’m incredibly excited about the future with her. Fatboy Slim (aka Norman) is a 5 year old gelding, who I bred. He is a character but has a heart of gold, so I’m looking forward to how he progresses. Then I have some other youngstock who range from yearlings to three year olds. As well as three foals on the way this year. So an exciting year ahead!

 

How did horses come into your life?

I started young and never wanted to stop. Aboard my aunts Shetland pony pip, I caught the riding bug. It began riding round the quiet lanes of Jersey and I’ve kept going ever since.

 

How long have you been riding?

  I started riding at 3 years old.

 

When and where do you ride?

  I ride for a living and I have a training stables in Tockenham, Wiltshire. I tend to ride in my horses in the morning, so they can go in the field for the afternoon while I ride at other yards.

 

How did you start riding?

  I began riding on Pip before out growing her, then we got Tinkerbell, a super 11.2 who I did everything with. She was a pony of a lifetime!  

 

What you and your horses currently working on?

  Dory and Norman will be doing Young Horse classes this year. Dory is working towards Advanced Medium and Norman Elementary. Then I have a series of other young horses to try and work out how to steer.  

 

What do you love about riding?

  I love the partnership between horse and rider. You both must trust each other for anything to work and when a horse trust you, there isn’t a feeling like it. I also love the fact that we are a sport where you partner can’t talk to you and it’s all done through feeling.  

 

 

What you would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?

  I still want to be working with horses and training them to the best of my ability. Of course I would love to be on a senior team but the most important thing is enjoying the process and having happy healthy horses.  

 

Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?

  I don’t really get nerves luckily and if I do it’s as I’m getting dressed. As soon as I sit in the saddle it’s game time!

 

How do you deal with them?

  I tend to have time to myself, I like to relax and just chill. Think about how I’m going to ride my test and what is best for the horse to give them confidence and a great experience.

 

Your Top Tip

  Take as many opportunities as you can. Horses are not easy, so take the good days as wins and the bad days as learning experiences. Everything happens for a reason and what’s meant for you won’t pass you by.  

 

The Final Furlong

   

Who would be your dream horse to ride?

  There are so many but I would say either Totilas because I simply think he was unbelievable or Blue Hors Matine her freestyle still gives me goosebumps!

 

Who is your equestrian hero?

  Isabelle Werth, she is a true horsewoman who cares about her horses more than anything. She is a true sportsman and a fierce competitor.

 

If you could have five people to dinner who would they be?

  Isabelle Werth The Queen Serena Williams David Attenborough Tom Hardy  

 

Favourite colour horse?

  Grey  

 

Favourite horse event?

  Ermelo for the World Young Horse Championship  

 

Favourite food?

  Ice Cream

 

Favourite way to relax?

  Being around my animals and friends

 

Favourite film?

  The Blind Side  

Want More?

If you enjoyed meeting Amy you might like to view more chatting with interviews here    You can keep up with Amy’s progress and check out her instagram page here