Texting With: Anna Ravn

We love to follow how this Danish rider shares her everyday life as an eventer, and simply adore her effortless Scandinavian style and love for her horses. We have been texting with Anna Ravn, straight from Copenhagen to you at Cavalier!

Published: January 14th, 2022

By: The Editors

/ photo: MEP-Photo

Hi, Anna! Please tell us about yourself?

I live in Copenhagen, Denmark. My horse, Nica, lives 20 minutes from me, so I drive to her every day by car. I began riding when I was around 10/11 years at the local riding school. And when I was 13 years old my parents bought my first horse, Bronco. He was amazing and taught me so much. He is the reason that I do liberty and groundwork with all the horses that I have had. He taught me a lot about body language and how to be friends instead of just being horse and rider. I owe him so much. After a few years of fooling around with show jumping competitions, I got my eyes on eventing. I have been hooked ever since and never looked back. Today, I try to combine liberty and groundwork with being a competitive rider in eventing.

How would you describe your horse, Nica?

Nica is a danish warmblood, 168cm tall and all brown. She is the most adorable horse with a lot of hair and her big forelock makes her so cute! Nica has a strong mind and loves to be in charge. However, she loves attention, both from humans and other horses, besides when it is feeding time. Nica is as little marish and always with ears pricked and looking for attention. Everybody loves her! She is super fun to be around and just loves to be on adventure with me – going to competition, clinics or just hacking.

/ photos: via @ravnequestrian

What was it that made you fell in love with Nica a couple of years ago?

Before Nica I tragically lost my horse Emmali. I only had Emmali for 6 months, so I was looking for a horse that I could compete with for a long time – and also a horse that would be my best friend. I looked for 3 months and actually tried 30 horses! Then I met Nica – a gentle 4 yo with a very brave attitude. I immediately felt safe, almost like she was made for me. Her cute looks and scopey jump made it an easy decision; I had found my dream horse. Before looking for a new horse I had in mind that my new horse would be all brown, a gelding with a big mane, tail and forelock, scopey jump and cute appearance and around 168 cm tall. Besides not being a gelding, I really hit the jackpot!

Nica sounds like a very cool horse! But why eventing?

I love that there is always something to work on. It never gets boring! You need to work hard to gain success, nothing comes easy and that’s how I like it. The feeling going around XC is close to none.

Do you have a favorite discipline?

cross country, for sure. So much fun!

Which discipline is you and Nica’s strongest one?

Nica is as brave as a lion, she rocks cross country. She has a big gallop and the will to go clear. I began to introduce her to eventing when she was about 4 yo and it was pretty clear that she belonged on a XC course.

Which discipline is the more challenging one?

It’s actually show jumping. Nica’s blood is after Cavall Ask. Her show jumping blood is strong, but her big canter and body + she loves to be in charge makes it a challenging thing. However, we are really starting to be on the same page now and everything is slowly coming together.

/ photo: MEP-Photo

What’s the best part of being an eventing rider?

The many hours of just being with your horse at events, clinics and so on. I love being around my horse

How would you describe the Danish eventing sport in Denmark?

The danish eventing sport is in development! It has gotten a lot bigger since I started with the discipline. People are very supportive of each other and it’s always a nice atmosphere at the events. I would love to see some bigger events in Denmark though.

Can you describe yourself as a rider with three words?

Kind, passionate and hard working.

Three things that you cannot live without when spending time in the stable?

My phone! As I love to update on Instagram I use my phone a lot being in the stable. Comfortable breeches. I hate breeches that aren’t stretchy. A hat. I use hats a lot in the summertime when it is sunny. Fun fact: I also love to wear a hat when it’s raining.

Chocolate, candy or chips?

Chocolate, no doubt.

Do you have any role models?

When I began with eventing I adored William Fox Pitt. I have seen so many of his run on youtube. Such a good and gentle rider! Today, I love to watch Michael Jung, he rides with such an ease. However, I try not to compare myself with other riders. We are all on our own journey and we all have things that we found easy and difficult.

Looking into the future.. Where are you in 5 years?

I have a Master of Science in Biology, still living in Copenhagen, riding on an international level in eventing – maybe looking for a future prospect? Other than that I don’t really know. We’ll see. I am looking forward to it.

Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself?

I did rabbit jumping with I was younger. Had a lot of different rabbits and went to competitions with them. It was a lot cheaper than horses!

What’s your ambition for 2022?

Hopefully ride my first international event and be happy!