Julia Barbian Switches Trainers, Preparing for Young Riders with Heiner Schiergen

Dressage

Germany

For former German pony team rider Julia Barbian the transition to junior/young riders' level has taken her away from the spotlight in the competition ring. After wrapping up her pony time in 2018, Barbian is yet to make her debut at junior level.

Now in her second and last year as a junior, the Düsseldorf based Barbian hopes to make her big break through soon.

She has switched trainers from German pony team trainer Connie Endres, who is based at Herman Gosmeier's barn in Marl, to the Krefeld based Heiner Schiergen. He has coached Anna Christina Abbelen and Hannah Erbe to the European Junior and Young Riders Champion's title.

"The travel of over 80 kilometres a day to the stables and another 80 km to go home was too much," Barbian told Eurodressage. "I am starting Psychology studies at the University in Düsseldorf in October and that gives me limited time. Connie Endres and Hermann Gösmeier are two great trainers that have taught me so much and I am so thankful for what they taught me over the years, with my pony and my horses. I am happy to start a new chapter in the stable of Heiner Schiergen."

Pony Time

Barbian was one of Germany's most successful FEI pony riders aboard the now 12-year old Rhinelander bred Der Kleine König (by Dornik's Donovan).

She won the 2014 Bundeschampionate in Germany and for four years - between 2015 and 2018 - she competed at international FEI Pony level with her not always so easy pony partner. Twice were her efforts repaid with a German team nomination for the European Pony Championships.

Helgstrand, Treffinger, Barbian on the Kur podium at the
2018 European Pony Championships

At the 2017 European Pony Championships in Kaposvar, Hungary, there were fourth in the team test and won team gold. They had to withdraw from the rest of the Championships after the pony stepped into the railing during the team medal ceremony and victory lap and was no longer fit to compete. At the 2017 German Pony Championships just a few weeks later they were 34th in the individual test.

At the 2018 European Pony Championships in Bishop Burton, Great Britain, they had their moment of glory, winning team gold and kur bronze. At the 2018 German Pony Championships they finished 8th.

In the autumn of 2018 the ride on Der Kleine König was allocated to Laura Amelie Borges, who trained with Jana Freund. The new duo competed in three shows between October 2018 and April 2019 but then the collaboration ended prematurely. Der Kleine König returned to the arena in February 2020 at the CDN Ankum, where Barbian rode him again in an M-level test, her first M-level with the pony and her first show since the end of her pony time in 2018.

"Laura is not riding him anymore," said Julia. "It didn’t work anymore so I decided to ride him in the M dressage this year. This works perfectly for me and King and he learns really quickly."

Junior/Young Rider Debut on Fol Epi S and Valentina

For her junior debut the Barbian family acquired the 10-year old Westfalian mare Fol Epi S (by Fürst Függer x Biotop) from Carlotta Hassenbürger, who was the 2007 European Pony Champion on Dulcia in Freudenberg and bronze medal winner at the 2008 Euros in Avenches. The end of Carlotta's pony time was also the end of the rider's international show career.

Valentina at the 2015 Westfalian Autumn Elite Auction

Fol Epi S was first competed by Saskia Kampmann but in the autumn of 2018 Hassenbürger took over the ride and achieved her Golden Rider Badge on the bay mare, showing her at local shows at S-level in 2019.

Barbian also owns Valentina, an 8-year old Westfalian mare by Vitalis x Furst Piccolo.

"2019 was a year that I mostly used for studying for school and training my two horses and my pony," Julia explained. "I learned a lot in this year. Sadly I didn’t compete in 2019 because not everything goes as planned. I wanted to grow together with my horses to then show that we are good. I am a perfectionist, which means I only compete when I am sure that me and my horses are in top form."

Barbian has now switched to Heiner Schiergen for coaching and is preparing for a Young Rider's start in 2021.

"I really hoped that I could have ridden a few M- dressage (tests) in 2020, but due to corona that will probably not work out," said Julia. "Fol Epi is a great horse to learn from and with. I love working and learning from/with her. She has a lot of experience, but a very special character. The training is going great and I really hope to compete her after Corona. We are letting Valentina have a bit more time because she is still young and needs some more time and experience to learn and grow, but she is doing fantastic at the moment."