For Serbian dressage rider Aleksandar Danṣ̌in the year 2024 has been one of break-through and blazing trails for his country as one of just two dressage riders competing internationally for the country.
Ten years ago Aleksandar packed his bags and moved to the epicentre of equestrian sport - Germany - to pursue his dream: riding dressage. A decade later he has gained experience, did the miles, listened and learnt. He has become the living example that you don't have to come from money to make your way into the sport.
Together with his life partner Lars Viereck he is now building his own training and sales business - VLAD Stables - in Brauweiler (GER).
Starting in Belgrade
Aleksandar grew up in Smederevo, close to Belgrade in Serbia and started riding at the age of 10 at the local riding school. He received lessons from Novica Duronjic, who trained him up the levels to Prix St Georges.
Aleks felt that horses were a passion and accepted a job at a local stable, where he got to ride his first international dressage horse: the Holsteiner jumping mare Quinta (by Quite Capitol). He was 25 when he went down the centerline of his first CDI in Lipica in May 2014 and took Quinta to the 2014 Balkan Games in Novi Sad, where they finished sixth.
"Quinta was a jumping horse that didn't much like to jump, so together with the people I worked for at that time, we decided to switch her to dressage," Aleksandar reminisced. "She really found her way in dressage. She was a beautiful horse, with a lot of opinions, but had a beautiful work ethic."
Instrumental Time at Gestut Brune in Germany
(Photo © Foto Diele)
He first went to north Germany, but in 2016 grabbed the opportunity to work for Bernadette Brune at Gestut Brune in Bad Zwischenahn with both hands. His time with Brune has been instrumental in his education and his career.
"An article's length is not enough to summarise all I learnt and experienced there," said a grateful Danṣ̌in. "Her barn was still under construction and I felt that both the stable and I were being "built" from the ground up at the same time. It is incredible which chances and opportunities Bernadette gave us riders. We were allowed to train with the biggest names in our sport. All those experiences and teachings I got there gave me knowledge and confidence to be an independent rider. There I was taught how to manage a stable, how to ride different horses, and most importantly: discipline."
Aleksandar spent four years riding for Brune and competed an array of horses nationally. "She formed me as a horse person and the rider I am today," he said thankfully. " All the new experiences after that were extra on top."
Stable Bolz, Where "Hope" was Found
"I had a great time there and we became good friends. Thomas is still my trainer to date," said Aleks.
In 2022 Mrs Bolz experienced health issues and was forced to downsize, which also meant reducing the amount of horses and staff in her barn. As Danṣ̌in was the last to be hired, he was also the first to go. As a parting present Bolz gave him the 3-year old For Hope K (by For Romance x Aljano).
Hope was intended to be sold but because he was only 1.53 cm he turned out too small for most riders. as a two-year old he was small and scrawny looking, which left him unmarketable at that point in his development. Danṣ̌in appreciated the wonderful gift and the horse turned out to be a career propeller.
Championships in Ermelo
The pair did its first riding horse test in May 2023 and in August competed in the 4-year old challenge at the 2023 World Young Horse Championships as well as in the 4-year old mares and geldings class at the 2023 Bundeschampionate in Warendorf.
This year in Wiesbaden they achieved their qualification scores and were nominated to represent Serbia in the 5-year old division at the the 2024 World Young Horse Championships. For Hope K also qualified for the 2024 Bundeschampionate at the trial in Mönchengladbach.
The Leap to Independence with Lars
Although Danṣ̌in saw his time at stable Bolz cut short, he felt assured to begin his own business with eight years of experience down his belt and life partner Lars Viereck by his side.
German Lars Viereck grew up and began riding in Denmark. He has a versatile background, starting in show jumping and eventing before fully dedicating himself to dressage.
"I received valuable support from Regina Mühlmann, who coached me and my show jumping horse to M-level. I then bought a cheap horse with my savings, which I trained myself and won my first M-test with," said Viereck who admitted he has a great appetite for knowledge. "I particularly enjoy reading classic riding books, such as those by Harry Boldt, and I often watch videos of top riders to understand how and why they do certain things."
Lars won his first S-dressage test with an 8-year old he trained himself from the start. After graduating in business psychology, he did an internship with Johnny Hilberath and participated in clinics with renowned trainers such as Uta Gräf, Sönke Rothenberger, Monica Theodorescu, Holga Finken, and Thomas Walker. Over the years, he has trained several horses from novice level to Grand Prix and is also very much focused on teaching students.
A Slice of Horse Heaven
"The facility gives us the opportunity to train the way we could only dream of. We have a great indoor and outdoor, a horse walker, winter paddocks and beautiful green fields. The stable is very light and very well organised with a solarium and cute tack room," said Aleks.
The pair has a lovely range of young horses in training right now, including Aleks' "black team" with Ma Belle (by Meridian), Soulmate (by Secret), and Mahiri (by Morricone), while Lars takes pride in his 6-year old home bred Barona Cara (by Baron x Democraat) and the 3-year old Louisdor (by Lord Europe). Lars is working the 8-year old Felipe Negro (by Fashion Marker x Rubinstein) at S-level. This black beauty is bred and owned by the Egge family, for whom Viereck has been riding for 15-years.
Danṣ̌in explained, "our philosophy is very simple: keep the horses happy, keep them outside as much as possible, feed them well, and follow the training plan. We put all our work, passion and knowledge into each horse and wait and see what they will offer. Then show them the good way to be their best version."
For next year Danṣ̌in and Viereck hope to compete their string of youngsters in the Bundeschampionate and hopefully World Young Horse Championships, but only if they are ready.
"We want to keep our horses healthy and happy, and that's already a full day's work," said Aleks. "We would love to have one horse in each age category to compete and, if all goes well, our first young S-level horse coming out of our stable, but everything needs time and patience. We are very grateful to the owners we have in our barn, all very good and fun people. This is very important for planning a future."
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