The H&C interview with Laura B

26 January 2010

Laura B riding Mistral Hojris (Alf) at Olympia

Laura Bechtolsheimer's star made a quick ascension into the dressage sky and looks set to stay there for some time. In 2005, Laura was the youngest rider to become British Dressage National Champion with Douglas Dorsey, aged at just 20-years-old. Prior to this, Laura enjoyed success as part of the Young Riders team and since becoming a senior, she and her horse Mistral Hojris have represented Great Britain at the 2006 World Equestrian Games, 2007 Europeans and at the 2008 Olympics. In 2009, she set two British international record scores at Hertogenbosch CDI-W in Holland riding Mistral Hojris, scoring 76.553 per cent in the grand prix and 75.25 per cent in the grand prix special. H&C caught up with Laura as she prepared for a photoshoot to ask your questions.

How many horses do you ride a day? I ride six horses a day.

Do your horses jump and hack as well as dressage? If so, why? All our horses hack and some do loose jumping and some do cavalettis. The cross training and variety keeps them “sweet” and gives them a good sense of balance.

Do your horses go in the field? Yes, all of our horses go in the field for about one hour a day, apart from Alf (Mistral Hojris) – he gets hand grazed daily as he gets far too excited and could injure himself.

Do any of your horses have any funny habits? Yes, one sticks his tongue out and loves it being pulled! They are all big characters in their own way.

What do you do to relax? Eat biscuits! I also go to London to socialise with friends, I am partial to a cocktail, especially a long island ice tea. My boyfriend is a polo player and when we get spare time I tend to chill out with him.

What is your idea of the perfect holiday? I have skied since I was three years old. We are a close family and always take a ski holiday in the winter to Arosa in Switzerland. One of my brothers lives in Chicago, so its great when he comes home and we can all be together.

What did you get for Christmas? I got a nice watch from my grandparents and a cooking course from my brother – maybe he was trying to tell me something!

What do you look for in a dressage horse when buying youngsters including foals? Good paces, nice temperament, the look in their eyes and a willingness to work. I will give prospective four legged partners a thorough interview!

How do you decide which rides to take on as you must be offered lots? I never ride anyone else’s horses, just our own.

What is your favourite piece of kit that you wouldn't be without? My Albion tack.

Which is your favourite horse to ride and why? Alf is my favourite horse, he always wants to please and he will try just that little bit harder – he is the best horse in the world!

What happens to your top horses after they retire? They live in our fields in a herd and bring up the young horses.

Do you breed at all and if so how do you choose which stallions to use on which mares? I don’t have any stallions to ride at the moment, but we do have a couple as Mum is really into the breeding side. I have a six year old home bred called ‘Polar Bear’, by Polarion who is my next big future horse – he is amazing!