Virginia Spoenle, a real talent in dressage from Germany

Virginia Spoenle, young, beautiful, Italian-German. Although she has not yet reached the age of majority, she is a real talent in dressage, has already made a lot of people talk about her and, in the future, her name will be on everyone’s lips. She lives in Germany, the home of this sport, has been breathing dressage since she was a child and approaches it with the mentality of someone who really knows a lot about it and has taken it to the roof of the world. Let’s get to know our ‘special correspondent from Germany’.

You are very young, how old are you, how long have you been riding horses and what have been your most important achievements?

I turned 17 at the end of September. I started riding when I was seven, at a riding school near home. My first pony was called Carlos, a small Shetland with a very strong character. With him I really learnt a lot, especially never to give up. The first important successes came on the saddle of Adrette D, with which I also participated in my first European Championship. But the pony that entered my heart and with whom my first international successes came is Coer Noble, our Balu. With him I took part in three European Championships and we won several International competitions.

Who are your competition partners at the moment and what kind of horses are they?

To date I ride an 11-year-old gelding called Bob Marely and a 9-year-old female called Great Time. Bob Marley, or Bobby as we call him, has been our property since he was two years old and I have been riding him since 2022. With Bobby I have participated in several CDIs in the Junior category and last November we made our debut in the Young Riders category in Holland. Great Time joined our family a year ago. She has really beautiful gaits and a lot of fire! She has improved a lot in the last few months and, as a good female, she seems to be able to keep her nerves a bit more under control than before. We have not yet reached where I would like to be, but with work and patience I am sure we will achieve our goals.

As the year draws to a close, it is time for plans. What are yours for 2025?

Next year’s goal is the European Young Riders, which by the way will take place in Kronberg, Germany, so ‘almost at home’. So the route is to participate with both horses in CDI in this category to achieve the necessary qualifications and gain as much experience as possible.

Looking at the future instead, what are your long-term plans: how do you see yourself ‘when you grow up’?

I think every sportsman’s dream is the Olympics… for me, it would be the ultimate to represent Italy at an Olympic competition. One can only hope and continue to work hard to try to succeed, enjoying the journey in the meantime.

As we said, besides being a sportswoman, you are a teenager. What is your typical day, how do you organise all your commitments between school, horses and friends?

Riding is a sport that requires a lot of time and commitment. My days are really full… and sometimes I have to give up a few extra outings with friends, but I do it gladly. This is my last year of high school… so between preparing for high school graduation, qualifying for the European Championships and national competitions, the first half of 2025 will be a grind.

You ride in Germany, but not in just any stable, but in Isabell Werth’s. How did you come to her and what is it like to work with the queen of dressage?

I have been at Isabell’s stud farm for more than five years now. In 2019 we brought our stallion Falihandro, who for the time being is ridden by my trainer Niklaas Feilzer in Grand Prix, to her stables. The hope is that in a couple of years Filhandro will become my partner for the Under 25s. I started going to the stable every Saturday to help with the groom work. I’d roll up the wraps, wash the horses, in short I’d try to make myself useful and do whatever was necessary. Then three years ago I finally took Coer Noble and Bob Marley to Isabell. Having the chance to ride with her is crazy and I will always be grateful. Generally I do the training with Niklaas, but when he is not there, or if I have particular difficulties Isabell is always available, and I really enjoy riding with her. To tell the truth, just watching her riding her horses is an endless source of learning. They call her the Queen of Dressage not for nothing.

What are the main differences between Italy and Germany, as far as our sport is concerned?

I’ve only ever ridden in Germany, so it’s difficult for me to make a comparison. Certainly, since Germany is the home of dressage, competition is always very high, even in country competitions at national level. This leads to having the opportunity to compete against many pairs each time and all of a high level, which increases the quality and pushes one to improve oneself more and more.

Virginia is spontaneous, humble and talented, a girl who is passionate about horses and sport and who gives grace and elegance outside and inside the rectangle. Mounted by the dressage queen, who knows if one day she might not catch up with her?

Elena Pecora

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