Spanish Riding School rider

Helmut Oberhauser on the pride of being part of a 460-year-old cultural heritage, a rigorous training pathway and the tradition of the birch riding crop

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My first horsey encounters were in early childhood on a farm. I was fascinated by the animals and when I saw that people could ride horses, I was captivated. I took every opportunity to be near them and, soon enough, I had my first lessons. It all started with pony rides at the farm.

As a teenager, an instructor took notice of me and asked if I could imagine a life at the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. He was a successful dressage rider and had good connections with the Spanish Riding School. To be honest, I'd never considered it.

He trained with a chief rider, and once took me with him to the stables. He trusted me enough to let me ride his horse so the chief rider could assess my seat and skill. He saw potential in me and encouraged me to apply, which I did. A year later, in 1997, I began my training at the Spanish Riding School.

The first years are spent in the stables and riding hall.

Each student is responsible for several horses. Caring for the animals and their equipment is essential, and only those who demonstrate impeccable stable management are allowed riding lessons. Initially, this consists of lunge lessons and exercises on a trained school stallion.

Depending on your skill and commitment, the riders and chief riders gradually place more trust in students, giving them the opportunity to ride more horses.

After five years in the stables and many ups and downs in the riding hall, I was given the chance to ride in a quadrille on a trained school stallion.

Conversano Mantua carried me through it, forgiving my nervousness and mistakes in applying the aids.