This week I’m chatting with French international under 25 Grand Prix dressage rider Mateo Barsotti. Based at Var in the south of France where he is coached by his father, this extremely talented young man looks set to achieve great things in the dressage world. Read on to discover more about Mateo, his horses, ambitions, and top tips for success.
Tell us a little about you and your horses
Mateo feeling happy with his fabulous looking horse
Hello, my name is Mateo Barsotti. I’m twenty two years old and I’m currently living in the Var in the south of France. I currently have a personal horse which is my Grand Prix horse. I also have two young horses in co-ownership with a financial partner and a few client horses.
How did your horses come into your life?
My parents have always had horses. They decided in 2004 to start a stable and make it their job. So horses have always been part of my life.
How long have you been riding?
More or less since I was a child, but until I was twelve I only rode very occasionally. At the age of twelve I took part in my first competition and from that moment on I was fully committed to the sport.
When and where do you ride?
Mateo schooling one of his splendid horses in beautiful surroundings at home
I’ve made it my profession, so every day and at home in my stable.
What you and your horses currently working on?
At the moment I am aiming to take part in several international competitions with my grand prix horse, so I am looking to improve each exercise and for the young horses I am gradually bringing them towards the grand prix.
What do you love about riding?
What I like in this sport is the complicity with the horse and with each horse I have a different complicity.
What you would you like to be doing in the future and do you have any goals?
final checks before a competition
I think that like all professional riders we have the same goal. To participate in the most beautiful world competitions and to reach the deadlines at the end of the season and be part of the best. Afterwards, on the short term, I would like this season to be regular on the National and International competitions with more than 68% on the U25 Grand Prix and depending on my results, why not a European Championship. Every day I try to improve to reach this goal or dream, I do not know
Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding?
Of course! Every day I work I want to improve something and sometimes when I can’t I get a bit upset but I’m lucky to have my father as my coach who gives me good advice every day
How do you deal with them?
Working at home
When I am in this situation I go back to walking and I take the time to relax and think about how to solve the difficulty I may encounter.
Your Top Tip
Give yourself the means to succeed and give everything to succeed and if you don’t succeed at least you won’t have regrets.
Down the Centre Line
Who would be your dream horse to ride?
I think that today there are a lot of good horses, I don’t have a particular horse in mind that makes me dream, I am lucky today to have young horses with quality. So I think that in my daily life it is already a dream to have horses of this quality under my saddle
Who is your equestrian rider hero?
I don’t really have an idol, but if I have to name a rider or two I would say Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin for her riding which is different from the others in my eyes.
If you could have five people to dinner who would they be?
Carl Hester, Charlotte Dujardin, and then riders I know very well, Arnaud and Anne Sophie Serre, and Alexandre Ayache
Favourite colour horse?
Black
Favourite horse event?
The most beautiful competition in which I participated goes back to my junior years. The last CDI in vidauban at the domaine équestre des grands pins. Otherwise the event that makes you dream is the Olympic Games
Favourite food?
Pizza
Favourite way to relax?
Going out with my friends
Favourite film?
Film I don’t know, I’m more of a series guy. And I’ll say the 100
Want More?
If you enjoyed meeting Mateo you might like to view more dressage rider chatting with interviews here You can keep up with Mateo’s progress and check out his instagram page here
