The EM double role of Anna S.
Anna Schölermann immediately waves it off: "No, it's not actually a double role, just one and a half," laughs the 23-year-old. "I fill in when Hubertus (Schmidt) isn't there."
Anna is part of the U25 team at the FEI European Dressage Championships at Schafhof in Kronberg and also supports Celestine Kindler in training. The 21-year-old Celestine is competing at a European Championships for the first time and is a member of the German U21 team. Being a rider and trainer at a European Championships at the same time is something special. In Anna's words: "It's really cool!"
Anna was already part of the U25 gold team last year, back then in the saddle on Bon Scolari. This year, her European Championship partner is Springborgs Guardian. "A lot of things are more relaxed this year than the first time," says the rider from Hubertus Schmidt's stables. "You know what to expect and you know the procedures. But in terms of the horse, it's perhaps a little more exciting this time, or let's say even more challenging in terms of riding." Guardian is practically the complete opposite of Berry, alias Bon Scolari. "For me, the feeling on Berry is like 'being at home', I'm sure it will work out. Guardian is really great, super sensitive and likes to think three steps ahead. You really have to make sure that you don't breathe the wrong way and give him a lot of security. That's still a challenge for me."
The eleven-year-old Dane has been under Anna Schölermann's saddle for three years. "Guardian belongs to the Kindler family and was originally intended for Celestine. But he's not easy and not necessarily a training horse." Anna has now trained him to Grand Prix level and ridden him into the European Championship team.
Celestine is in the saddle of the 16-year-old Quotenkönig at the European Championships and already had her first start on Wednesday morning. She entered the Schafhof arena as 'Pathfinder' of the U21 team and produced a personal best with 70.765 per cent. Co-trainer Anna is delighted!
Hubertus Schmidt has been on site since Tuesday and has taken over the training, while Anna slipped into the trainer's shoes the days before. "It works very well, we've known each other for a long time now. When Hubertus isn't there, I'm also the 'spare bench' in training at home and travel to some competitions with him." Anna is not the nervous type, but she is extremely excited when Celestine is in the arena. "I mentally ride every lesson." (laughs)
Anna was already competing in pony shows at the age of ten, started her apprenticeship with Hubertus Schmidt at 18 and rode her first Grand Prix a year later - on Triple A. The 13-year-old son of Totilas is also part of Anna's U25 team, now under the saddle of Elisabeth von Wulffen. "It's great that he's now part of the team here. I'm basically a trainer first and foremost, that's my job and I really enjoy it. And when I ride horses and they go on successfully under other riders, then you've done something right. And that makes me incredibly happy."
Rider, trainer, instructor - Anna S.'s dual role at the European Championships turns out to be a triple role.
On Thursday at 2.40 pm, Anna Schölermann will ride into the Kronberg European Championships arena for the first time herself. Celestine Kindler, Elisabeth von Wulffen and of course Hubertus Schmidt will be keeping their fingers crossed - as will the entire German team. Is the excitement starting to make itself felt? "No, not really. I'm more the calm type. And as soon as I'm on the horse, I have nothing to do with nerves at all," smiles Anna. “I'm in my own world.”
A world in which she feels right at home.