Chatting with Rosalie Francisci

This week I’m excited to be chatting with 16 year-old international dressage rider Rosalie Francisci.  Based at Spanish Olympic Grand Prix dressage rider, Morgan Barbançon’s stables in Geneva, this immensely talented young lady combines studies with riding.  Read on to discover more about Rosalie, her horses, ambitions, and her top tip for success.

Tell us a little about you and your horses

I am 16 years old. I am French but live in Geneva, Switzerland where I study and ride my horses. I currently have two horses, Black Pearl (AKA Bahia), a KWPN mare by Painted Black x Negro and J’adore, an 8year old gelding by Desperado x Jazz. Black Pearl is an extremely pleasant horse to ride, she always wants to go forwards and is always very energetic. She is very sensitive and delicate but will always do her best. J’adore is very sweet and learns new things quite quickly. He hasn’t competed before but soon will.

 

How did your horses come into your life?

I started riding when I was 3 years old and since then, never stopped. I first began with jumping, I had a 6year old mare which I kept 4 years before selling in 2018. I then fell in love with dressage and bought my first dressage horse, Velisko (Sandreo x Sandro Hit) . In 2019 I started training with Morgan Barbançon who then introduced me to her Grand Prix horse, Black Pearl. I immediately loved her and bought her a few months later. Morgan then helped me find J’adore, which I recently bought.

 

When and where do you ride?

I ride everyday at Morgan Barbançon’s stables in Geneva.

 

 

How did you start riding?

My parents put me on a pony when I was three years old, for a nice experience and since then, I have always wanted to continue riding.

 

What you and your horses currently working on?

I am currently working on the small tour (Inter 1) with Bahia and working on getting J’adore ready for shows in the juniors. I am taking my time with my horses, I want them to be 100% ready each time before going to the shows. I work a lot on the basics and do harder exercises with them about three times a week.

 

 

What do you love about riding?

The thing about riding I love the most I would say is the relationship we form with the horses throughout the years.

 

 

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

I am not exactly sure of what I want to do later on but for the time being, I want to focus on my studies and the training and shows with my horses.  

 

Have you ever had to deal with nerves in riding? 

Yes, I get quite nervous before entering the show ring.

 

 

How do you deal with them?

I try to spend time with my horses and do some breathing exercises. I also usually watch a video of the test I will be riding as it forces me to focus.

 

 

Your Top Tip

I would say to just enjoy the ride and try to ride exactly as you would at home because even if there is something to change, you’re not going to change it in the show ring, so just try to recreate what you rode at home.

 

 

Down the Centre Line 

Who would be your dream horse to ride?

Sir Donerhall and Bolero (from Morgan Barbançon) or Valegro (from Charlotte Dujardin)  

 

Who is your equestrian rider hero?

Morgan Barbançon

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

My grandfather, Chesley Sullenberger, Jennifer Aniston, Napoleon and Elon Musk  

Favourite colour horse?

My favourite colour for a dressage is definitely black

Favourite horse event?

My favourite event is Al Shaqab (Doha) CDI. I have never competed there but hope to one day.

 

Favourite food?

Salmon tartare

Favourite way to relax?

Being around my horses and spending time with friends

Favourite film?

I have a lot of favourite films, but I think my favourite one is either ‘Miracle in cell n°7’ or ´Sully’  

Want More?

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