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Nineteen years old, Swiss international dressage rider, Robynne Graf has enjoyed considerable success both as a Junior on ponies where she won the Swiss championship three times and represented her country at two European championships and more recently at U25 where along with her outstanding 17 year-old Hanoverian, Domino, the pair were selected to represent Switzerland at last year’s European championships. Robynne said “Domino delivered outstanding tests” and placed seventh overall in the freestyle. Another memorable highlight was when Domino and Robynne won their first Grand Prix at a CDI in Italy.

Another of Robynne’s horses is “der Kleine Hit”. After enjoying a successful time at M level, Robynne decided to take him out of competitions. Her newest team member is Romarno. He’s a 6 year- old and has been a part of the family since March 2024. Robynne says “He has great talent and is one for the future. Another one of Robynne’s rides is Seventh Sky, who is kept at her owner’s stable. Described as a very special mare as she’s the first mare that Robynne competed with at Young Rider level, but progress was interrupted by two injuries. Happily, she’s recovering very well and is now being ridden again.

How did horses come into your life? 

Robynne and Domino at the European Championships 2024.
My Dad and Mom run a stable at home, I grew up with horses. My parents have always been active in Dressage and my dad competes internationally. I started by riding my little pony Jazz, who is still at our place enjoying life. Then in 2017 my parents bought my first bigger pony. His name was Dallas, and he was a German riding pony. I did my first FEI tests with him and competed at my first international competition in 2018. Puzzle by puzzle came together and we managed to become Swiss champions three times in a row. For little me there were lots of highlights, especially the European championships in 2019 and 2020 (unfortunately we could not take part in 2021 due to me being injured). After my memorable pony time, we sold both of my ponies, Dallas and Coolman. In the meantime, I started to ride my future junior prospect “der Kleine Hit”. He has been part of our family for over ten years and was schooled up to GP by my dad. But then unfortunately, due to an illness, he needed to take a break for almost a year but when he was fit again, I competed at some national shows to grow into the junior classes. Then a very special horse came into my life, Domino. He showed me what’s possible in this sport and we managed to level up from juniors up to U25 within a year. Besides many personal records, international wins, three times Swiss champion, took part at three European championships, I built up a strong connection, and also a special friendship with this horse. He really is my best friend! My newest team member is Romarno. He is 6yo and still needs to learn a lot, but he has lots of quality and talent for the future.

When and where do you ride? 

Robynne amd her two biggest supporters, her mom & dad.
My parents run a stable with around 40 horses and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. I mostly train with my dad, but I also like to ride alone sometimes to settle what I learnt and to achieve a good feeling “alone”.

Who do you train with? 

I train everyday with my dad and have since day one and that has always worked out well. Sometimes I also train with Oliver Oelrich as he is our national team coach for Switzerland.

What does a typical day for you look like?

Robynne and Domino at the European championship 2023 in Kronberg securing a new personal best of 73.1% in the Junior Individual test
I mostly ride one horse in the morning before I’m off to work in the office. In the afternoon I have lesson with either Domino or Romarno with my dad and then it depends if I still need to ride another horse, then I do so. After riding all horses, my young horse Romarno has a massage session every day. Depending on Dominos daily program, I sometimes take him for a little walk in the evening before I do the night check. The night check includes feeding my horses their vitamins, putting on bandages for over the night and just checking if everything is okay. and of course, “good night kisses” are not missed.

 

What are you and your horses currently working on?

With Domino we mostly work on the suppleness and keeping him fit and motivated. He is in a really good shape at the moment even though he’s turning 17 soon, we’re just maintaining his current shape as well as possible. My young horse Romarno is currently working on the flying changes, such as getting steadier in his body. Seventh sky, the mare that I get to ride, is slowly coming back to her previous shape and we are slowly finding together again.

What is it about dressage that you love?

Robynne and Domino winning the young riders class at the Swiss championships 2023.
I love how the horse and rider work together in a deep partnership, where every subtle movement and cue must be perfectly coordinated. It’s not just about executing movements; it’s about creating a fluid, harmonious performance that appears effortless. Also, the training process is rewarding, as both horse and rider develop mutual trust, patience, and understanding.

What memorable opportunities have you experienced so far ?

I got the very nice opportunity to train with Daniel Bachmann-Andersen for one month during October 2024. I took my horse Domino, and we learnt new tricks and find new buttons, which I’m grateful for. Overall, it was such a memorable and nice experience to train with such an inspiring rider and get to know the coolest team behind the scenes.

What challenges have you faced on your dressage journey?

Robynne and her my old pony Jazz. The pony she started riding with
For me the biggest challenge was when I did my first U25 Grand Prix this year. I had never competed at that high level before, and I needed to warm up completely on my own as my dad was competing at the same time. That was quite challenging but, in the end, it was so worth it because I could fully trust Domino. He really helped me out and it felt like we did this test many times before. In the end we even managed to win which was the cherry on the top.

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

My biggest supporters are my family, especially my mom and dad. They support me daily. I’m also sponsored by “Erreplus”. I just love their saddles and so do my horses. Not to forget our super team at home that everyday work hard for all our horses.  

Do you have any rituals before competing?

Robynne and Seventh Sky Winners of CDI Troisdorf 2023
Before competing, I always prepare my horse on my own by listening to music. That includes plaiting, grooming and tacking up. I think it’s so important to know how my horse is feeling before I get on. Also, an important thing for me is that my horses get a little portion of mash before tacking up and after competing, like a little bribery and reward. They absolutely love their mash, and they appreciate that every time.

 

What are your future aspirations?

The Olympics one day is a huge dream of mine.

Your Top Tip

Robynne at the European Championships ponies 2020 in Budapest with her pony Dallas.
7Never change a running system.

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

Not only expect your horse to trust you, but you also need to be able to trust your horse.  

 

Down the Centre Line

   

Who would be your dream horse to ride?

Definitely Glamourdale.

Who is your equestrian hero?

I don’t really have one specific role model, as I look up to many other riders and try to learn from everyone.

 

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

I have absolutely no Idea  

Favourite horse event?

CHIO Aachen

Want More?

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

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