Interview with Tatiana Kosterina in the time of the restrictions caused by the Corona crisis
Bielefeld, May 3, 2020
Equestrian sports have come to a standstill because of the Corona crisis. The big tournaments are cancelled as well as the small competitions in the countryside. People live with initial restrictions, mask swearing and distance rules. How is the everyday life of a highly successful professional rider shaped by the crisis? Tatiana Kosterina provides information.
In Corono-Times Tatiana has a lot of space to train Diavolessa
Your last tournament was the Signal-Iduna Cup in Dortmund in mid-March. The tournament could not be completed regularly. How did you experience the cancellation of the tournament in Dortmund?
I heard a conversation on Sunday morning at about 09:30, in which it was said, that everything would be closed at 10:00. I didn't really understand that at first. Will the tournament be cancelled? I then checked the internet. The starter list was still on the organizer's side. I then continued to prepare for the start, braided slides, bandaged and saddled and finished myself, put on boots and frack. Then my neighbour Agathe van der Lei from Holland, who was supposed to start right before me, got a call. She showed me crossed fingers. It had just been cancelled. So everything back. Saddle down, gaiters off, slide back into the box, frack undressing, packing.
That was a great pity. We had every chance to ride better in the Special. It was the second day of the tournament in the Westfalenhalle and Dia had already become accustomed to the conditions. I was hoping that she wouldn't look around and not make mistakes about the surroundings.
What are the restrictions in the riding stable during the Corona crisis?
In stables that are very small and where it is difficult to comply with the distance rule, operations have been almost completely stopped or can only be continued, if very strict rules are adhered to. With us it is the case that we have very wide stable alleys and plenty of space for riding in the terrain, two outdoor courts, two large halls. Riding is limited. On the Internet you can register in lists for riding times. No more than four people are allowed to walk in a stable alley at the same time, by distance of course. Each horse may be ridden or moved for a maximum of two hours per day. I myself work as a professional rider all day and have to move a whole bunch of horses, so I'm always there. I set up the riding in such a way that I use the place that is free. Because we have so much space here, that's not a problem. Group lessons no longer take place.
What restrictions hurt you most?
In the stable I notice almost no restrictions. I have to say that I am in a privileged situation. Outside, we now have to wear masks while shopping or at the gas station. I like to forget them in the car. The mask annoys a little - to be honest. But it has to be.
How do you train your top horse Diavolessa in crisis?
Diavolessa is trained normally. Since we don't have tournaments, the Grand Prix lessons aren't so common. She has days where she has completely free, goes grazing, walks. On these days there is little training, e.g. galloping across the course in a light seat. She thinks that's pretty nice. Or go around the field. In tournaments, individual lessons are practiced more intensively and I make sure that she is in good condition for the tasks at the time of the tournament. Now it's more about giving her a good mood and doing basic work.
Diavolessa convey a good mood. A walk through the fields
Do you think Diavolessa is getting something of the crisis?
Diavolessa was unaware of the crisis. She has her contacts as always. Her stablehand Alina, who helps us, lives at the stable. She's there anyway. In the evening, when no one is in the stable anymore, she often goes for a walk with the horses. So their staff is there. I think the horse is even more satisfied now.
Do the restrictions also have benefits for your work? Are you dealing with things that you don't have time for?
The advantage is that people are even better distributed, and you only have a few more riders in training, usually only two in the hall. That is quite good. I don't have more time than usual, because I keep working normally. I now come to read more during the lunch break. People are much less there now. In the evening you can't go out. I now like to watch videos of tournaments and courses, e.g. the series "Old Masters" at ClipMyHorse or videos on Youtube, where I can learn something else.
Are you missing the great international tournaments?
Honestly, I like to ride national and international tournaments. I love the atmosphere and the adrenaline that is part of the competition. I'm missing that a little bit at the moment. But it is not possible now. So we have to live without tournaments. We can work on the other things. In the current situation, the timing may not be optimal for me. Diavolessa is a little crazy when it comes to indoor tournaments. She is much more like showing herself outside than in the hall. This also applies at home, where she fares much better on the outdoor court. So I had hoped that we could show a little more performance in the green season. Now it is probably the case that the tournaments do not start until autumn and the green season is completely cancelled. That's a bit unfortunate for me.
What tip do you have for the many horse-loving boys and girls who can't take riding lessons now and miss their horses?
I can understand that. The horses are missing one. What can be done? For example, you can read books on horses. You can theoretically train or watch videos. There are providers who now put videos online without payment. I think that's very nice. For example, you can improve the look on horse movement.
Do you think it makes sense to propose that competitions in equestrian sports should be held without an audience in compliance with the safety restrictions and only broadcast on the Internet?
It doesn't make sense to host tournaments online. The German coach Monica Theodorescu* has already commented on this. I fully share their opinion. Under Internet conditions, this is not possible. You can't see the preparation, you can't see doping control, you can't see the condition of the horse. On a small basis, for example for a stable community, you can perhaps try it. The trainers can view a video as a kind of homework.
What do you think, what will happen next?
Nobody can say that. We are making every effort to comply with the measures so that we can get out of the crisis quickly.
What does Dia actually say about the Corona crisis?
Nothing at all. Corona is not a horse virus. She is looking forward to spring. Let's see when it goes to the tournaments, if she gallops again on the trailer.
* Monica Theodorescu pointed out in an interview with ClipMyHorse that a tournament cannot be replicated online.
