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30 juli 2024 Reading time 1 minutes

A few questions for equestrian in heart and soul Marcus Ehning

Sponsored rider Marcus Ehning has a whole raft of fantastic achievements to his name. Riding various horses, this equestrian in heart and soul has secured several international podium positions in show jumping. But anyone talking about Marcus Ehning is talking about more than his results. The rider is known for his effortless style of riding, light and in total harmony with his horses. We asked him a few questions about his horses and how he trains for major competitions. 

With which horses are you currently competing in major international competitions?
There are currently four: Coolio, Stargold, Priam du Roset and DPS Revere. 

How do you train for a major competition or championship?
Whether the competition is large or small, I train my horses so that they always have a high level of fitness. They sometimes get a little more rest, but not for too long, because they mustn’t get bored. They are very soon back at the right level. People could perhaps think that it’s mainly about training my top horses, but I equally enjoy training a young horse. For me, it’s not really all about the competitions, I get much more satisfaction when I see a horse progressing. I believe it’s important that horses are relaxed when riding and that they maintain a cool head. They have to enjoy it. In training, what I do to maintain that cool head will differ from horse to horse and the level of training. 

How do you feed your horses in the run-up to an important competition?
We always look for the appropriate feed for each horse. We look at what a horse needs and what suits him. Once we have found that, we don’t really change anything. Not even in the run-up to a large event, in fact, especially then. If a horse is performing well on a certain ration, you shouldn’t want to change that. 

Do you feed specific supplements at certain times?
During the summer, when it’s warm, we give the horses extra electrolytes in the form of Pavo E’lyte. But other than that, we actually give them as few supplements as possible. Most of what they need is already in their daily feed. If a horse does require a supplement on occasion, we tailor that to the horse’s needs. 

Do you have any feeding tips for other riders in terms of their feeding strategy?
The most important thing is to make no changes during a major competition or important championship. Find the right ration for your horse at home. If he is doing well here on that ration, don’t change it. If you want to change anything in the ration, your horse will need a few weeks to get used to that. So never suddenly start feeding differently during an important competition!

Do you have any other tips for riders in the run-up to an important competition or championship?
Make sure that the basics are right. Your horse must be ready to perform well. Basically that means, of course, that your horse is fit and healthy when you take him to a competition. It’s also important to set realistic goals. 

Curious about the ration of Ehning’s top horse Coolio? Click here