Anna Derlien has been submitted to the talent pool for sponsorships by the German Equestrian Sports Foundation and an anonymous sponsor has agreed to back her career.
Since January 2023 she has been receiving financially support through this sponsorship to develop her career as a competitive dressage rider.
International Career
The 21-year old Derlien kicked off her international career in June 2021 when she won the team test at her first international, the CDI Hagen. Aboard her 12-year old Hanoverian mare Holly Golightly (by Hochadel x Hofrat) she went on to became the 2021 Hanoverian Young Riders regional champion and she clinched the bronze medal at the 2021 German Young Riders Championships in Darmstadt
In 2022 she competed at two internationals, the CDI Hagen and the CDIO Aachen.
Caught the Eye
Even though she did not get selected for the highly competitive German team for the 2022 European Young Riders Championships, she caught the eye of German team trainer Monica Theodorescu.
She got nominated by her for the talent pool of the German Equestrian Sports Foundation and shortly thereafter, a sponsor was found for Anna, who wishes to remain anonymous.
Since the beginning of the year, Anna Derlien has received financial support as part of the talent pool. "I really didn't expect it. So I'm all the happier that I'm getting this support," says the young rider.
Physiotherapy
Anna comes from a dressage family. Grandfather Fritz Fricke competed the HGrand Prix stallion Admiral, while mum Antje Fricke was member of the German team at the 1989 European Young Rider Championships in Salzburg aboard Ticino. Anna lives with her family on a farm in Pattensen, where she her own horses and a few livery horses. She is studying to become a physiotherapist.
She began her riding career on ponies with Diabolo M (by Seiron x Night Star) and then briefly competed Apriori (by Admiral II x Gropius) in the L-level and children division in 2016.
Self-Trained
She trained her two most successful horses, Holly Golightly and Lisbeth (by Londontime x Don Frederic), herself. Most recently she has also been competing the youngster Follow Me 63.
Of her number one in the barn, Holly, Anna says, “she's a drama queen at home, but at shows she gives me confidence and doesn't make mistakes. The mor advanced she got in the sport, the better she got.”
Holly arrived in the barn as a five year old while Lisbeth was home bred. "She's the opposite of Holly. Lisbeth is friendly, but still a mare with her own opinion,” said Anna.
Derlien is squad listed with both horses for 2023.
Photos © Astrid Appels
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