Corona Times: Hit & Run with Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein

Interviews

Hit & Run

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.

Danish Grand Prix rider Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein first represented Denmark at the 2001 European Championships in Verden, where she won team bronze. After twice being team reserve for the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, Nathalie won team bronze at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong and rode at the 2012 Games in London. She has further represented Denmark at the World Equestrian Games (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) and the European Championships (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013). She lives with her husband Alexander Johannsmann and their two children in Berleburg, Germany. Nathalie is currently Denmark's National Grand Prix Team Trainer.

Hit & Run - Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein

What is your earliest memory?

Being on summer holiday at my grandmother in Denmark

Which person alive do you admire the most and why?

My mother. So diciplined in everything, always clean and well-dressed and her hair is always perfect

When were you the happiest?

Having my two kids

What is your biggest fear?

Loosing one of my kids or close family member

What was your first thought today?

Lovely weather, I’m riding out into the woods today.

What is your most annoying character trait?

Being late

Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?

Dishonesty

What is your dearest possession?

My family, kids, horses and dog

If you look into the future, what do you see?

Making my dressage team stronger and successful.

What makes you unhappy?

When my kids, family-member, friends or my horses are unwell!!

What is the love of your life?

My husband and my kids

What was the best choice you ever took in life?

Being able to do what I love, train horses and riders

What's your guilty pleasure?

Salty licorice

What do you owe your parents?

They let me find my way in live, never put me under pressure and never sold my horses!!

Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?

My best friends and my father

What was the worst job you ever did?

Mucking out a stable with a rat in it (I hate rats)

What was your biggest disappointment in life?

Being twice reserve for the Olympics, but that only made me better and mentally stronger.

What would you change if you can go back into the past?

Nothing, everything happens for a reason

Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?

More hours in a day

What is your biggest achievement?

Representing my country at the Olympics and World and European Championships on home-bred horses

What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?

Be humble, be patient and work hard then nearly everything is possible!

Where would you like to be right now?

Exactly where I am, at home with my family and horses

What's your favourite scent?

Fresh cut grass after a rain-shower

Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?

I don’t like dressing up

To whom would you like to say sorry?

I try to say sorry straight away.

What does love feel like for you?

Getting a huge hug and kisses from my kids when I come home after traveling.

When are you most relaxed?

When I’m in the stable alone feeding the horses

What super power would you like to have?

To be able to be at 2 or 3 places at the same time

When did you last cry, and why?

When my father died

When were you closest to death?

Thank god this has not happened yet.

How do you want to be remembered?

As a humble but strong person with a vision.