One to watch: Sanne Thijssen (NED)
Small but mighty – Sanne Thijssen, just turned 17, is one of the up and coming talents of International Show Jumping. We talked to the aspiring daughter of Dutch show jumper Leon Thijssen about her daily routines, success and riding goals.
Sanne just finished her first CSI3* Grand Prix at the GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER in Treffen (AUT) with her fiery mare Warette. Due to age restrictions, she could only participate in CSI2* Grand Prix up to now. An unlucky mistake at the last fence hindered the pair from entering the jump off. The young Dutch rider shrugs it off: ”Warette is only 1.64 m. She did all the major classes this weekend, we even came in second in the qualification for the Grand Prix. Actually, she is not the biggest jumper, but for me she really fights hard even in a course with 1.55m high fences” she says with a shy smile on her face.
Learning from the pros
Sanne can be really happy with the results of this weekend in Treffen. Two second, one ninth and one tenth place are on the student’s balance sheet, twice she was rewarded with valuable points for the world ranking. It gets even more impressive when you hear that she was at the show without her trainer. “My dad, Leon Thijssen, was in Amsterdam. So I came here alone. Sure my groom helped me in the warm up but I had to walk the course and prepare myself on my own.” Sanne uses a very clever trick: ”No matter if my dad is with me or not, I keep eyes and ears open. You can learn a lot this way. Most of the other riders are way more experienced than me. I try my best to implement what I hear in my own ride.”
From the beginning
Growing up as daughter of one of the most famous Dutch show jumpers, it is no surprise that you start your riding career early. Already as a 7-year old, Sanne rode her first national show, back then in the saddle of her pony. After that, she did not pursue an international pony career but directly changed to horses aged 15. Only half a year later, she started her international career – and things took their course.
On success and goals
Sanne has to think for a moment when being asked about a victory to remember. She can look back on more than 30 (!) international victories already. “The best victory was the one at the Ladies World Trophy in Vilamoura (POR) in October 2014. I was only 15 and won my first car.” Sanne thinks of this moment with a gleam in her eyes. “We did not keep the car. First, I need a driver’s license.“
Last year, Sanne took part in a Championat for the first time. She could have ridden as Junior but chose to ride as Young Rider instead. With her top horse Con Quidam RB she had only one knockdown in the five rounds of the European Championships and finished 11th as individual and 5th in the team.
“I hope to be sent to the European Championships this year again. It won’t be easy to make it on the team though,“ Sanne says keeping her chances in perspective. The Olympics in Tokyo 2020 – a goal? “That is still far out”, Sanne laughs. „Sure, it is possible but it is my first year riding Grand Prix at 3* level. So I have no experience how my horses and me will handle these challenges. It would be nice though. And I also think that I can take over more and more horses from my father – he is not getting any younger either.”
School and sports? No problem!
Sanne has 10 horses on hand. It is not a problem at all for her to care for them alongside school. “When I am not at a show, I go to school just like everybody else. Around 3 or 4 pm I am back at home to ride seven or eight horses. My groom is there to help until 6pm, after that I do everything on my own. That is not stressful for me, it is fun. Even though it is tough sometimes.” Especially on Thursdays and Fridays, Sanne misses one or the other lesson at school – nothing big for this smart show jumper.
Résumé – Sanne Thijssen
Date of birth: 11/09/1998
Nationality: Dutch
City: Baarlo
Profession: Student
Trainer: Leon Thijssen
Idols: Leon Thijssen, Kent Farrington
Horses: Amour 44, Barrichello, Bomea B, Celine M Z, Con Quidam RB, Dublin, Stippel, Tittut, Ulena, Warette
Favorite Horses: Con Quidam, Ulena, Warette
Favorite Shows: GLOCK HORSE PERFORMANCE CENTER, Mierlo, Vilamoura
A victory to remember: Ladies World Trophy in Vilamoura 2014
Goals: To be part of the European Championships for Young Riders, Juniors and Children in 2016
This article was written by EQUESTRIAN WORLDWIDE – EQWO.net and is NOT a press release. Copying of the text and pictures is not allowed.
