Yanina Frantsuzova: 16 things (about equestrian sports and not only) that I learned by the age of 16

Photo from the personal archive of Yanina Frantsuzova

We continue the rubric about important (although not always the most obvious) things that riders have discovered during their equestrian sport. This time about 16 things that I understood for myself by the age of 16 Yanina Frantsuzova – Candidate for Master of Sports, member of the Russian youth team in dressage and bronze medalist of the European Championship for children.

Yanina Frantsuzova:

By the age of 16, I realized that:

1. It is very important to be able to manage your time;
2. If a horse is trying to get rid of you, then you need to stay in the saddle in every possible way;
3. Training in the arena during show jumping is not so bad. They develop the attention and reaction of the rider;
4. All things for the tournament must be collected according to a pre-compiled list, otherwise you will definitely forget something;
5. And even if all things are collected according to the list, it is not a fact that the tailcoat did not stay at home;
6. If you have a long road ahead, stock up on food. A lot of food. Lots of;
7. The stable must have spare clothes for any season and weather;
8. Competition is one of the main motivators in equestrian sports;
9. The time spent at the stable flies by unnoticed;
10. Quality does not mean expensive;
11. There should never be practice without theory;
12. You need to learn to set goals and work for the result;
13. There must be harmony in everything;
14. Always think positively;
15. Do not be afraid of mistakes, because everything can be corrected;
16. Starting horse riding is the best decision in life