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.
Dutch Grand Prix rider Imke Schellekens-Bartels made her international show debut as a Young Rider. She won team gold and silver and double individual bronze at the 1995 and 1996 European Young Riders Championships on Mexican and Allegretto. She rode at her first Olympic Games in 2004 aboard Lancet, but her most successful horse in her career was Sunrise, with whom she won team silver and team gold at the 2006 and 2010 World Equestrian Games, team gold and double bronze at the 2007 European Championships in Turin, team silver at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong and team gold at the 2009 European Championships. She was second at the 2007 World Cup Finals and third at the 2010 World Cup Finals. She was the 2006 Dutch Grand Prix Champion. Her last international starts is almost five years ago. Imke now focuses on coaching. She is the Dutch pony, junior and young rider team trainer.
Hit & Run - Imke Schellekens-Bartels
What is your earliest memory?
Falling of my mum's horse on the lunge line. I was 3 years old. My mum promised to buy me a helmet, if i would get back on, which i then did.
Which person alive do you admire the most and why?
I don't really have one person I admire the most.
When were you the happiest?
The moment I became a mum
What is your biggest fear?
That people I love will die one day
What was your first thought today?
Oh no, i dont want to wake up yet...
What is your most annoying character trait?
Being emotional
Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?
Dishonesty
What is your dearest possession?
My son
If you look into the future, what do you see?
Horses and family
What makes you unhappy?
Not being able to do what i love most. Not being able to ride, and not being able to ride the horse that i love
What is the love of your life?
My son
What was the best choice you ever took in life?
To really try to get pregnant and become a mum
What's your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate, and in particular Cote d'Or's bonbon bloc
What do you owe your parents?
Everything I guess
Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?
My husband, brother and his wife and my parents, my best friends and my best friend Danielle who has passed away 9 years ago. I would love to have one more dinner with her.
What was the worst job you ever did?
I did quite a few (picking strawberries and beans, sting asparagus, string fishing nets), but there's none that i did not like.
What was your biggest disappointment in life?
That Sunrise went lame after the first day at the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong
What would you change if you can go back into the past?
I think I would like to do a study at university
Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?
To always have a lot of energy, and needing less time to sleep.
What is your biggest achievement?
The gold medals we got with the Dutch team (2007 and 2010) when i still competed with Sunrise and doing the Olympics
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?
To always be honest, so you never have to think of what you have said or have to say.
Where would you like to be right now?
Costa Rica for a holiday
What's your favourite scent?
The smell of forest after rain
Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?
A witch
To whom would you like to say sorry?
To the children i bullied when i was young
What does love feel like for you?
Body filling and life-long
When are you most relaxed?
Reading a book in bed, or riding in the woods with a horse
What super power would you like to have?
Having a brain as an encyclopedia
When did you last cry, and why?
Last week, because i just had a shit day
When were you closest to death?
Fortunately never
How do you want to be remembered?
As an honest and friendly horse woman
Related Links
Imke Schellekens-Bartels Recovering from Herniated Disk
Imke Schellekens' Toots Sold to Japan
Imke Schellekens-Bartels Gives Birth to Baby Boy
Imke Schellekens' Sunrise Retired to Become a Broodmare
Imke Schellekens-Bartels: Exploring Life with Horses
Second Consecutive World Cup Win for Imke Schellekens at CDI-W Mechelen
Imke Schellekens Takes over Sunrise from Tineke Bartels