Spanish dressage rider Ana Novo Munilla combines riding for renowned German stud farm Gestüt Bonhomme, in Berlin with psychology studies and has just completed her Master’s Degree. In addition to these, the highly talented and very busy young lady also runs her own business called UniquePRE Horses along with her business partner. UniquePRE Horses specialises in connecting equestrians with their dream equine partners.
Tell us about you and your horses
About me, I could say that I am a very ambitious and hard-working person, with clear ideas and objectives. I combine my sports career with my studies in the field of psychology, I have just finished a Master’s Degree in Neuropsychology and I am going to do one in Sports Psychology. I am very sociable and outgoing, and I am still not used to living in Germany!
Right now, I have a few horses of my own, Eros, an 8-year-old warmblood that has participated in the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024, Floris, a Hanoverian mare pregnant by Morricone, Navegante, an 8 year old PRE, and Platino, a 5 year old PRE/PSL, the latter two from my company UniquePRE Horses.
How did horses come into your life?
At the age of seven I was diagnosed with scoliosis, the doctor sent me swimming and horse riding. And from then on there was not a single day that I didn’t stop going. My grandfather was a letter carrier on horseback and when he was young, he spent a lot of time with his horse, maybe that’s where my passion comes from? I remember that when I was little, I was the typical girl who rode absolutely every horse and I had my own ideas, I remember the first pony that I educated, Piruleta (who is still alive) with which we were doing jumping shows in all the villages of Soria, that was cool.
When and where do you ride?
I have been working at Gestüt Bonhomme, in Berlin, for about two years, I ride every day of the week between 6-10 horses, between 7:00 and 17:00.
Who do you train with?
The main trainer is Robert Conredel. We have a training plan for each horse that we follow precisely, depending on the age and level of the horse we work different days a week and with different intensity, we work a lot on the basics of all the horses.
My partner Moritz Treffinger is an excellent rider from whom I learn every day and he helps me a lot whenever I have any doubts.
Agusti Elias also gives support and is a great help every time he visits Gestüt Bonhomme.
The two previous years I trained daily with Simone Pearce, to whom I will always be grateful for everything she taught me and helped me selflessly. She was the first person who gave me the hand to get on this train of being a good professional rider.
What are you and your horses currently working on?
It depends on the horse. Right now, I have horses from 4 years old to Grand Prix, with each horse I work with different exercises and weekly goals, I always like to have an overview of the objectives that the horses must reach to work with a plan. In all my training I work a lot of base and transitions, that the horses are relaxed, feel comfortable and work proactively is one of my “must to”. I still have a lot to learn, but I work a lot on my body self-perception, transitions, and keeping my core strong to have the best possible connection with the horse.
What do you love about riding?
I love the sensations that the horses give, what they learn and advance every day, I like the silence in the arena while working. I love to discover the personality of each horse and treat them individually. I like galloping in the field at full speed or finding the precision of a piaffe/passage transition, I would say that I enjoy everything if it is next to a horse. Riding is definitely my passion.
What would you like to do in the future, and do you have any goals?
In the future I see myself having a very busy life between countries and with many horses in between. I would like to work as a psychologist alongside being a professional rider. I have many goals, but the most notable are to compete GP and develop a method to make my UniquePRE Horses business automatic, so that I can have freedom of movement and take up less mental space.
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
Yes, I usually get nervous before competitions, the nerves go down to zero as soon as I sit on the horse.
How do you deal with them?
I like to always visualise the work I must do, have enough time to not do things in a hurry and listen to my body, if I need to spend 10 minutes alone I do it.
Do you have any rituals before competing?
I like to plait the horse by myself listening to Imagine Dragons + Reggaeton to put my emotions in place.
Your Top Tip
Define a long-term plan, set realistic medium-term objectives, and divide that goal into steps that you can achieve in the short term. Nothing is impossible.
What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?
Go to a psychologist, prioritise your mental health.
Down the Centre Line
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
Any of the horses trained by Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour, but in particular Freestyle.
Who is your equestrian hero?
I have no equestrian hero; I believe that in this sport we all start the game with different cards and we play them in the best possible way.
If you could have five people for dinner, who would they be?
My mum, my father, my brother , Wiktor and my good friend Celia.
Favourite colour horse?
Black
Favourite horse event?
Young Horse World Championships
Favourite food?
My uncle’s Sunday paella!
Favourite way to relax?
Traveling anywhere with my phone on silent mode
Favourite film ?
Into the wild
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Ana you might like to view more dressage rider “chatting with” interviews here . You can keep up with Ana’s progress and check out her instagram page here
