A pioneer for Turkish dressage, Lina Uzunhasan lives her life in two worlds. Studying in Turkey and travelling to Holland to train, Lina showed off her talent at the 2014 CDI Roosendaal Indoor on 4 - 7 December 2014, where she won the Junior team test with 71.063%. She finished third in the individual and kur with 68.333% and 71.417%.
“Roosendaal was a really important competition for me because it was the first international show with Donna Ray after the Europeans and I really had time to prepare for this competition," said 15-year old Lina.
Entering the 2014 European Junior Riders Championships after only three months with her 6-year old KWPN mare Donna Ray (by United x Negro), Lina was really thrilled with the experience in Arezzo, Italy, but she appreciated having more time to prepare for the CDI Roosendaal.
“We had trained a lot and we were expecting a good result. It was a really nice competition and to be in the prize ceremony on all three days was a great feeling. We had some small mistakes, but with every test we are becoming more and more of a team," she added.
Uzunhasan describes Donna Ray as a princess and she really believes she found a treasure when she discovered the bay mare.
“When I first sat on her I knew that she was mine, we were meant to be together. I still believe I am lucky to have found her. In search for this horse we drove 10000 kms in Europe and after trying over 60 horses I finally found my dream horse Donna Ray," she explained. "She is very picky and sometimes hard to please but when she is in top form she is unbeatable.”
Discovered at Stal Korenbloem in Weert, The Netherlands, Lina now trains with the mare both in Holland and Turkey and hopes to continue her dressage dream alongside persuing her professional dream to become a veterinarian.
“I am studying in Turkey but all my school breaks I try to spend in Holland. I train with Nicolette van Leeuwen and in Turkey with her daughter Dana van Lierop, who is my idol," said Lina. "I also train at home with my father who has been helping me since I was very little."
Growing up in Turkey Lina knew she was going to be a rider when she first started riding 'dogs' as a baby.
"My parents took me to a riding center after that and I started riding ponies. Both my mom and dad studied in American universities, so they raised me like an American child. At the age of 9 my parents bought my first horse and at the age of ten I was at my first international show. At the moment I have two horses with which I compete in national and international competitions in Turkey. I became the pioneer of Turkish dressage and my government is supporting me. I hope they will support me more in the future.”
In Turkey dressage has to fight against the much more popular discipline of show jumping. Lina is grateful for the support of her parents but hopes dressage will gain visibility in the country so the national sports federations become more involved.
“I believe if the Turkish government gives a bit more support, then there could be more well trained dressage riders in Turkey," Uzunhasan added.
Lina has dual citizenship in Turkey and the U.S.A. and wants to study in America for her veterinary degree.
“My goal is to study at the University of Florida in Gainesville, so I can be close to Wellington and continue my riding and competition life there. I am also studying music and I plan to graduate from The London College of Music for piano since I am now at the 8th grade," said the multi-talented rider. "In the future I would like to own a stable, train horses, and become a successful dressage rider and veterinarian."
by Sarah Warne - Photos © Leanjo de Koster - Astrid Appels
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