In corona times we are all ordered to stay at home, self quarantine, and do social distancing. With more time on your hands to spend online, Eurodressage launches a "Hit & Run" interview series so that you get to know the world's most famous dressage riders and personalities more closely.
Belgian Grand Prix rider Laurence Roos has represented her country at the European Championships, once as a junior (2009), three times as a young rider (2011, 2012, 2014), and once at the inaugural European Under 25 Championships (2016) before making the transition to the senior division. Since then she has been a regular on the team at the 2017 and 2019 European Championships and 2018 World Equestrian Games. She unlocked an individual starting place for Belgium at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Roos is a dentist by profession, running her own dental practice in Lichtaart, Belgium.
Hit & Run - Laurence Roos
What is your earliest memory?
Collecting easter eggs at my grandparents house.
Which person alive do you admire the most and why?
Everyone has an idol, sometimes it changes. At this moment it's Isabell Werth, she rode so many horses on top level. You can not say that she got lucky. She worked for it!
When were you the happiest?
When my husband proposed.
What is your biggest fear?
I have a fear of heights, that's one of the reasons I picked dressage over jumping
What was your first thought today?
What will I do today? During the quarantine most of my to do list is already done...
What is your most annoying character trait?
I am not so much fun to be around when I am hungry.
Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?
Lying
What is your dearest possession?
My grandmother gave my a golden necklace when I was little. When there is something important like a competition, or an exam I always wear it.
If you look into the future, what do you see?
I am quite ambitious: I want to expand my business, get higher scores in competitions. The day I wouldn't raise the bar for myself anymore, there will be something seriously wrong.
What makes you unhappy?
Well, not working for the moment is a problem for my mental health. Last year when I broke my hand and now in the quarantine. I miss the satisfaction of helping people.
What is the love of your life?
My husband Wim Buyens, although I also couldn't imagine a life without animals around me.
What was the best choice you ever took in life?
When I went to the university I thought that I would have to give up riding for a while. In my first year I worked really hard so university gave me the opportunity to plan my lessons in a more flexible way. I started riding and studying at the same tim. I combine my dental practice and the horses still together and I couldn't imagine a life without either one.
What's your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate fondants with ice cream and berries
What do you owe your parents?
Everything, without them I would never be where I am now.
Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?
My family, and hopefully we can expand ours in the future
What was the worst job you ever did?
The first time I had to help loading the hay on the tractor from the fields. no one told me you should wear long sleeves and long pants, my skin was a disaster afterwards. Of course next time I was better prepared.
What was your biggest disappointment in life?
If I am having a difficult period in life (and everyone has those) it is not something to focus on. It will pass, you'll learn from it and you keep on moving forward. I admit sometimes I feel disappointed when Fil Rouge gets stressed in a test. We train a lot and if then the test doesn’t turn out how you expected it I feel sometimes lost. You can improve movements, but the mentality of a horse is some times difficult to change.
What would you change if you can go back into the past?
If I could go back in time I would have changed my wedding date. We made reservations for the venue almost two years in advance. Then we heard the Belgian championcships would be held on the exact same date. I did both of them, but afterwards I would have liked to spend a little more attention on that beautiful day.
Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?
If a day had 3 more hours in it.
What is your biggest achievement?
I have my own dental practice.
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?
Always think of balancing everything out. Keep your mind busy and your body relaxed. Sometimes I forget, but my husband makes sure to remind me.
Where would you like to be right now?
At a competition! It is so weird, you prepare yourself and the horses for the outdoor season and then all of a sudden ...
What's your favourite scent?
Roses
Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?
A witch, I can do a very scary laugh to match the outfit.
To whom would you like to say sorry?
I don't have regrets on that part. After a fight you should apologize, otherwise it stays in my mind and I wouldn't be able to sleep.
What does love feel like for you?
When someone really loves you, you can be 100% yourself, you do not have to pretend or hide anything.
When are you most relaxed?
Sitting by a pool with a cocktail
What super power would you like to have?
One more set of arms would be helpful
When did you last cry, and why?
when I see Dr Poll on the television. If an animal has to be put down I always cry.
When were you closest to death?
When I was 6 years old, I was in a car accident. A drunk driver hit me on the pedestrian crossing.
How do you want to be remembered?
As someone who always wanted to do the best thing possible.
Related Links
De Jong, Goovaerts, Van den Steen, Buelens, Defalque, Roos Win 2019 Belgian Dressage Championships
Laurence Roos Gets Married
Belgian Team for 2018 World Equestrian Games Announced
Laurence Roos Named VLP Talent of the Year 2017
Belgian Laurence Roos Wins Under 25 Kur at 2016 CDIO Aachen