I am born in a horse-family. My father Hans Eberhard Schneider himself rode up to advanced level, he judged up to Grand-prix level and he was a horse (Trakehner) breeder with heart and soul. Towards the end of the1980s he leased the 180 hectare large domain Mechthildshausen close to Wiesbaden, an agricultural holding – where I started riding. I had to fight for the lessons with my father, that sounds crazy, but he hardly ever had time. That is why I started teaching things myself early and I was very critical with my own riding.

After I had finished my High School I envisaged  veterinary science studies, but first our family moved. The lease contract had expired and we moved to Framersheim, where we bought a horse riding farm, which was considerably smaller to Machthildshausen. Therefore new perspectives arose for me and instead of the studies I decided to stay at our farm and I did an apprenticeship to become a bank clerk. I wanted to study the economical know-how for a later self-employment, the contact to clients and I wanted to support my parents.

After completing my bank clerk-apprenticeship an Equestrian apprenticeship followed, focusing on breeding and horse-handling and in 1994, the test for Master of Horse Management. As kind of a newcomer I did the rider test and even in this field the master rider test in 1996. To supervise the insemination station at our stud, I added the apprenticeship as insemination technician.

In 2002 I took over the stud and riding facilities Sankt Stephan.

My first four-legged friend was the grey Trakehner gelding Protegé, who was badly injured and who was nursed back to health by my father. I participated with him in competitions from tests for young rider up to medium-level dressage tests.

With our self-bred Katapult I became Hessian champion and I was appointed to Hessian State squad. As next our Van Deyk came and I managed the jump to Grand–prix level. Then Kaiserkult TSF, Ferryman, Dyamico, Diva Royal …

My successes now total more than 800 placings, including almost 250 victories, in advanced dressage tests up to international Grand Prix tests.

The highlights are the championships successes including Olympic team silver in London 2012.

Dorothee and Diva Royal at the London Games

 To my most important teachers I count, besides my father, Klaus Balkenhol, Holger Schmezer, Jean Bemelmans, Michael Rasch and Hans Riegler. But I also taught myself a lot – less through checking in the mirror the more through feeling. It has to feel easy and natural, and horse and rider become one. I am fascinated by collaboration with the horse, constant challenges, solving problems and working daily anew, that the horses feel comfortable and that they can perform best.

Therefore you always have to question yourself, as in all professions, and consider new solutions. The best salary is a satisfied horse, which fights for you.

To lead a business as mine, it needs many helping hands. Accordingly I appreciate my family‘s and my team’s engagement. Not least I owe my horse-owners and sponsors, that I have the best profession of the world!

RIO update: Dorothee selected in the team on Show Time…

Dorothee and Show Time – photo Kenneth Braddick