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.
German born French Grand Prix rider Karen Tebar has represented France at two Olympic Games (2004, 2016). She also competed at the 2006 World Equestrian Games and at four European Dressage Championships (in 2003, 2005, 2013 and 2015). She won the 2006 and 2016 French Grand Prix Championships.
Hit & Run - Karen Tebar
What is your earliest memory?
Passing my free time in the Riding Club watching my parents and the others ride and hope for an occasion to walk the horses after training, meanwhile looking after my stud of guinea pigs and bunnies beside the horse stable.
Which person alive do you admire the most and why?
My father: after a long career in different sports and in business he’s still an enthusiastic rider at age 81, riding at Grand Prix level every day. Besides that he is the only male I know able to multi-task
When were you the happiest?
When I found out that Don Luis’ seller didn’t lie (as many of them do) when asked what kind of horse he is: “Luis is the most lovely horse I ever had he is always positive and never against his rider”
What is your biggest fear?
That Luis changes would change in his character...
What was your first thought today?
Yeah, I am going to ride Luis!
What is your most annoying character trait?
I love to talk about my horses, especially Don Luis. It's quite hard on my husband and son who are not riding
Which trait do you dislike the most in other people?
Impatient people and those rough to their animals
What is your dearest possession?
Don Luis
If you look into the future, what do you see?
Many more happy rides with Don Luis
What makes you unhappy?
Sick horses
What is the love of your life?
My husband... and then Don Luis
What was the best choice you ever took in life?
The choice I had when I found Don Luis: Buy Don Luis and look for a new trainer
What's your guilty pleasure?
Giving carrots and sweets to Don Luis (he is already a little bit too heavy)
What do you owe your parents?
So much that I can’t find a single thing to name . They helped me buy my horses.
Who can sit next to you at your dream dinner table?
Positive and interesting people of any profession, who love what they do.
What was the worst job you ever did?
I forgot it
What was your biggest disappointment in life?
When Falada got hurt in quarantine in Aachen two days before the flight to the 2008 Olympics in Hong Kong
What would you change if you can go back into the past?
Perhaps eating more vegetables in my youth in order to get longer legs?
Name one thing that would improve your quality of life?
Having my stable next to my company instead of more than 30 km away
What is your biggest achievement?
To nearly get enough time for my three worlds: family, horses, business
What is the most important life lesson you have learnt?
Charming is better then yelling
Where would you like to be right now?
On my horse
What's your favourite scent?
Coming into my parents' house on Christmas day and knowing that we are having my mother's best dish: deer with Spätzle
Which character would you dress up in for Halloween?
I don’t like Halloween, but this year, after hopefully overcoming the Corona-crisis, I’d like to go as someone who has beaten Corona-Virus
To whom would you like to say sorry?
I try to say sorry immediately...
What does love feel like for you?
Completeness
When are you most relaxed?
After a good training session with Don Luis. It’s fun, positive and not hard work.
What super power would you like to have?
Heal diseases
When did you last cry, and why?
Tears from laughing at a dinner before corona with friends telling jokes, one better than the other...
When were you closest to death?
I was riding in the fields with my first horse Davidoff. He slipped and fell. When he got up, I was stuck in the stirrup, hanging at the side of my horse. He stood still for minutes until somebody came and freed me from the stirrup
How do you want to be remembered?
As a serious person trying to do her best in what she does - and then have a pleased smile on my face
Related Links
Barbara Clément Klinger Sells Dirbini to Karen Tebar
Carmen Naesgaard's Ricardo Sold to France
Karen Tebar Wins 2015 French Grand Prix Championships
Karen Tebar Retires Falada M
Karen Tebar Wins the 2006 French Dressage Championships