Chatting with Camilla Kalseth

This week I’m chatting with Norwegian international Grand Prix dressage rider and trainer Camilla Kalseth. Based with Daniel Bachmann Andersen in Denmark, Camilla is training and working her current horse towards Grand Prix as well as riding for Daniel. Read on to discover more about Camilla, her ambitions, and top tips for success.

Tell us a little about you and your horses

I’m a dedicated dressage rider and trainer who has been in this business for nearly 20 years. I started as a student at Ridskolan Strömsholm, Sweden in 2003 and started my own dressage training business when I graduated as a trainer in 2006.   Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to train with some of the best riders/trainers in the world. Paul Fielder, UK, Christoph Hess, Germany, Morten Thomsen, Denmark and lately I’m working as a stable manager/rider for Daniel Bachmann Andersen.

How did your horses come into your life?

I’ve had a few horses though the years, worth mentioning is my first GP horse Carte D’or who’s still alive and living as a happy retiree. With him I rode WEG 2010 and Europeans 2011, now I have a very promising 9 year old rising GP horse by Blue Hors Zack/Don and last summer I bought his full sister’s first born foal, a colt by Springbank II.

 

How did you start riding?

I started riding at the local riding school when I was ten years old and got my first private horse when I was seventeen. I’ve always loved animals and horses particularly, so riding was something I always wanted to do.

When and where do you ride?

I ride at Julianelyst Gods in Horsens Denmark where my trainer Daniel Bachmann Andersen is based.  

 

What you and your horses currently working on?

  At the moment, we’re working a lot with strength and security for the GP movements with my horse Zirius and the goal is to debut Inter II this summer.  

What do you love about riding?

I love everything about horses and riding. But the daily work and improvement of the basics, both with the horse but also as a rider (seat, balance etc) is really important to me.   The connection and friendship I make with the horses means a lot to me, and I’m very happy I get to work with them every day.

 

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

My goal is to ride the GP with my horse and get back riding international shows and championships.

Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding? 

I have to deal with nerves, both at shows and sometimes at home in the daily training.  

How do you deal with them?

I’ve learned a lot working with mental coaching and training my mindset for different situations. Also, I have a lot of help from Daniel every day, both in the riding but also when watching him ride and work out different horses and situations.   To be in a professional team makes me more confident and I know I have support and help in the daily training but also at shows.  

Your Top Tip

Get help! If you can’t work something out, or your horse doesn’t feel right, get help and support to sort things out before it gets too difficult or even dangerous.   Horses can’t speak out so a professional trainer or other horse person can be essential for the welfare and safety for you and your horse.  

Down the Centre Line

 

Who would be your dream horse to ride?

I’m already riding my dream horse, Zirius Overskovlund

Who is your equestrian hero?

Isabell Werth  

 

If you could have 5 people to dinner, who would they be?

My best friends  

 

Favourite colour horse?

I have to say grey  

 

Favourite horse event?

The World Equestrian Games WEG

 

 

Favourite food?

Thai food

 

 

Favourite way to relax?

Being at the beach with a book

 

 

Favourite film?

Anything Quentin Tarantino

Want More?

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