Chatting with Lana Raumanns

German international Grand Prix dressage rider Lana Raumanns combines a very demanding professional career with riding and competing with incredible success. Between the age of 14 to 16 years-old, she was part of the German national Pony squad. At the age of 16 Lana took part at the European Pony Championships with Den Ostrik`s Dailan where she was part of the silver medal winning team and placed 5th in the individual test. Lana was part of the national junior squad at junior and young rider level with Schlumpfi. The pair enjoyed plenty of success winning and being placed  at Nation cups and international competitions. At the age of 20, Lana and Schlumpfi earned the golden riding badge and in 2023, the pair won the U25 class at Inter II level at CDI Waregem.

Tell us about you and your horses

I am twenty-four years old and live in Frankfurt, Germany. In 2022 I completed my Master of Finance and since then I am working full time at Sanofi-Aventis, a pharmaceutical company. Currently, I am Finance Performance Lead Brand for CHC (Consumer Health Care) Germany. My long-term partner in crime (for the past 9 years) is Feodor Nymphenburg OLD (but we call him Schlumpfi). My father was the one who found him when we were searching for a horse to enter junior level. He has been by my side since entering junior level and together we developed all the way up to Grand Prix. Schlumpfi is the king of the stable and demands to be treated exactly like that.

DSP Floridita (Flori) joined the stable when she was 5 years old. In 2023 she made her international small tour debut at CDI Le Mans, taking home a great second place in the S** Freestyle and is currently developing to S*** level. She is a lovely mare with great charisma. Schwarze Prinzessin (Schwarzweiß) has been with my family since she was a foal and is the first horse I have accompanied all the way from the beginning. She is the most talented and stubborn mare I ever laid my eyes on. Last year, at only seven years old, she did her first very successful competitions on S* level. Besides the “older” horses, I get to train two youngsters, Feini and Dr. DTox, who also have been part of the family since they were foals.

How did horses come into your life?

When my brother and I were young our parents used to take us to horse races, so horses always were part of our life. I begged my parents to get riding lessons and was allowed when I turned six years old.  

When and where do you ride?

My horses are based in Hanau, close to Frankfurt. During the day my mum keeps the horses happy and healthy, taking them to the field etc. After work, I go to the stables. During workdays I normally ride 2-4 horses and up to 5 horses during the weekends. It depends on every horse’s training/rest day schedule.

 

Who do you train with?

Luckily, I have two incredible trainers by my side. For the past thirteen years I have been working with Heinz-Günter Scholten. He has been my trainer since Pony level. Depending on my schedule at work, I train with him once or twice a week, and he joins me on most competitions. Next to Heinz-Günter, Andreas Hausberger is coming to Hanau once a month. He helped us immensely in developing to Grand Prix level.

 

What you and your horses currently working on?

As my horses are quite far apart in age everything from young horse class up to Grand Prix.

 

What do you love about riding?

Every horse has a unique character, and you face different challenges together. It`s amazing to feel how you progress as a team.

 

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

Seeing Schwarzweiß grow up and watching her progress from the beginning has brought me so much joy that my plan is to focus on developing my youngsters. Thanks to Schlumpfi, last year I could celebrate my first international victory on S*** level which has been one of my biggest goals. I hope that one day I can enter a Grand Prix with Schwarzweiß. Developing a horse from young horse classes up to Grand Prix would be a dream come true.

 

Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding? 

I always get a bit excited before entering the arena.

 

How do you deal with them?

When entering the arena, I try to focus on the strengths of my horse and to show off his/her talents. It helps me to turn the tension into positive motivation.

Do you have any rituals before competing?

Taking a bite of the apple before giving it to my horse.  

Your Top Tip

Celebrate every little milestone during training. Your horse should always know that it is doing an excellent job.

 

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever been given?

Don’t stress over things that are not in your control.

It takes a team to do dressage, who is in your support team?

My parents and my brother are my biggest supporters. Without them I would not survive a single day balancing horses and work. I owe them everything! Also of course my trainers who keep us motivated and challenged.

Down the Centre Line

 

Who would be your dream horse to ride?

I can proudly say that my family owns the horse I dream to ride. Schlumpfis little sister is currently starting her training with the amazing young horse rider Rebecca Holtwiesche (who is breaking in all of our youngsters) and I am more than excited to get to ride her.

 

Who is your equestrian hero?

Cathrine Laudrup-Dufour

 

 

Favourite colour horse?

Dark brown

 

Favourite horse event?

Aachen

 

Favourite food?

Pasta with truffles

 

Favourite way to relax?

Dinner with friends

 

Favourite film?

I hyper focus on a different show every few months. Currently it`s Grey`s Anatomy (again)

 

Want More?

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