Wrapping up MET Oliva 2024

Last week India and Frederike, 2 of our riders came back after developing their horses for 3 weeks in Oliva at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour. 
As they said goodbye to this picturesque setting we caught India and Frederike for a quick chat about their time at MET and the development of their horses.

1.⁠ ⁠How would you describe the atmosphere and energy at Oliva?

Frederike: Oliva was a show where I could develop all my horses for the upcoming season, and with 12 horses to handle, I was kept quite busy. Nevertheless, the atmosphere was still fantastic. The proximity of the stable area to the show area made it all feel very familiar. Working there feels less like a job; the sun, the palm trees, and the salty air create a holiday-like atmosphere, making it a fun place to work and produce your horses.

⁠India: It was actually my first time visiting Oliva, and I must say I loved it! The atmosphere was great and everyone there was super helpful and friendly! It was also pretty serene for the horses which is super nice when they are at the show for a considerable amount of time and so they were all very settled and happy there. It is also lovely to be able to hack them down to the beach and ride in the sea so we can keep some variation in their work even on the show. The energy specifically in our team also was great; we are very lucky to have a great team of people behind us which is so important to be able to perform well for both ourselves and ofcourse the horses. I think everyone had a great time!

2.⁠ ⁠Can you share any standout performances or memorable moments from your time at MET?

Frederike: Clearing the 3* Grand Prix with Moningo last week was undoubtedly a major highlight for me. Throughout the entire tour, Moningo and Maya, my main horses, jumped exceptionally well, leading to great success. However, I must admit that I have a passion for developing horses, especially witnessing the progress of younger ones during the tour.

Eau de Vie, one of my 8-year-old horses I got in October, initially struggled to go clear in a 1.30 class. However, in the second week, she made a remarkable leap to the 1.45 level, and even in the final week, she astonished me with an 8th place finish in the Ranking class on Sunday. This achievement filled me with immense pride as a rider, and I strongly believe she is gonna be something very special. Witnessing her progress was incredibly rewarding for me.

⁠⁠India: I was very happy with all of my horses over the course of the tour. It was great to see them develop and learn from week to week. Both of my young horses were placed in the top 10 of their respective Young Horse Finals which was great and I was also delighted with my three 8 year old horses, all of which gained placements in 140 classes throughout the tour and gained valuable experience setting them up for the year ahead.

3.⁠ ⁠Were there any particular classes or competitions that you were targeting during the tour?

Frederike: Not really. My main goal is always to achieve success and maintain consistency, regardless of the class or horse I’m riding.

⁠⁠India: I love producing horses and watching them develop and so a tour like Oliva is amazing for me to be able to step my horses up over the course of the three weeks and reach new goals. I was delighted with 8yo ‘Granada LVP’ who stepped up to 145 level the last week and jumped her first LR class for just one down in the jump off. This for me is really rewarding.

4.⁠ ⁠What advice would you give to riders who are considering participating in the MET in the future?

Frederike: I highly recommend competing at MET Oliva. It offers a fantastic opportunity for both horses and riders to compete in three different rings over an extended period. By the second week, the horses begin to breathe and relax, which also allows us riders to unwind. The work put in over three weeks proves to be much more effective than constantly moving from one show to another at home.

Moreover, stepping up in competition feels more manageable, thanks to the course builders who carefully tailor each course to aid in the transition and boost confidence. Overall, I believe there’s no wrong decision in choosing to compete there, as long as you have a solid plan and system in place for both horse and rider.

I’m hopeful that we’ll have the opportunity to return in the fall or next spring. My experience there was truly remarkable, and I can’t wait to come back!

India: My advice would be to listen to your horse and trust your system and see where the tour takes you! I also had a couple of newer horses with me and it is a great place to get to know your horse better and get some rounds in ready for the summer season ahead.