FEI Solidarity: Slovakia on Course for Bright Future

Slovakian equestrian has enjoyed some real highs of late with impressive performances in international competitions. With a renewed focus on coaching standards, Slovakia could well be celebrating even greater accomplishments in the coming years.

The Central European nation reached back-to-back finals in the international Longines EEF Series, while the likes of Patrik Majher (pictured above) have competed at FEI World Championship level. However, it is perhaps Slovakia’s performance at the FEI Jumping European Championship for Young Riders, Juniors & Children 2024 that really caught the eye.

In the Juniors event in Kronenberg (NED), Slovakia came 12th out of 24 entries, finishing ahead of nations such as Switzerland and Italy. Individually, Katarína Kirsten Packová (pictured below) & Cirro 3 finished ninth, with compatriot Marco Bouma in 33rd on Imkie LM. Among their peers from nations such as Germany, Great Britain and The Netherlands, this was a stunning achievement.

The Slovak Equestrian Federation is eager to ensure the country continues on an upwards trajectory, and Tomáš Kuchár is keen to play a role in that development. The 37-year-old is one of the nation’s top Jumping talents, winning the Slovakian championship three years in a row between 2021-23. He’s also held influential roles such as head of Slovakia’s Jumping Committee and national coach for youth athletes.

Nurturing the next generation of talents is something of a mission for Kuchár, and this was the driving force behind him, with the support of the Slovak federation, enrolling in an FEI Solidarity-backed Scholarship for National Head Coaches. The programme provides ongoing education for active coaches in view of assisting the national federation in the selection process of athletes and to lead the coaching of the national selection.

“I’ve always had a passion in helping others to improve,” Kuchár said. Here he is completing his hat-trick of national championship victories in 2023…

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by @tksportstable

Keen to learn new things

At the start of 2024, Kuchár began the scholarship programme by heading to Germany, where he was able to learn from some of the most established names in equestrian training, including Peter Teeuwen, who was his mentor in the scholarship programme, as well as Karl-Heinz Streng and Franke Sloothaak. Teeuwen is the German Equestrian Federation’s national coach in Jumping for Pony riders, Young Riders and U25.

“I was always keen to learn new things because you never know enough of this sport and there is always someone you can learn new things from,” Kuchár said. “I didn’t really know what to expect from it, but overall it was very good and an interesting time that I got to spend in Germany.”

The first part of Kuchár’s scholarship took place in Warendorf, where he worked alongside Teeuwen and Streng. Here, he was able to observe and participate in several Jumping clinics featuring some of Germany’s leading U25 athletes. As well as work in the ring, the clinics also covered mental training, performance diagnostics of horses, the social licence and handling of social media.

Peter Teeuwen, Tomáš Kuchár, Karl Heiz Streng at the clinic for U25 riders

“I was very happy to see that their preparations are kind of similar to what I do at home during winter,” Kuchár reflected. “It was mainly focused on dressage, pole work, gymnastics and many other exercises that helped riders to achieve a better ‘rideability’ of a horse.

“My philosophy is that before you jump a jump you must know how to do certain things with your horse. Whether it is shortening or lengthening, turning, bending – you must become one with your horse. This is a key element in this sport.”

In February, Kuchár and his mentor Teeuwen went to Riesenbeck, considered by many to be the spiritual home of German Jumping. Here, Kuchár got more of an overview of the structure of German equestrian and participated in sessions with medallists from the national youth championships. Working with the esteemed coach Sloothaak, was something of a surprise – and a dream come true!

“It was one of those ‘pinch me’ moments because I didn’t know that he would be there,” Kuchár said. “He was – and still to this day is – a true legend, and the fact that after all these years there are still lot of young riders looking up to him was just amazing. Then I also got to see how Ludger Beerbaum trains his riders. After spending my time at Riesenbeck International we went for a little tour to Ludger's stable and got a chance to see how things run there.”

Kuchár met some of Germany’s finest young talents

Whole life learning

Kuchár couldn’t wait to get back to his base near Bratislava, Slovakia’s capital city, to put what he had learned into action.

“The main benefit for me was definitely the change of seeing someone else as a trainer and just absorbing what is going on – how they approach their students and what they try to achieve in the lesson,” Kuchár said.

“After I got home from the scholarship, I applied many exercises to my daily riding and also to my students riding.”

He added: “We, as humans, learn our whole life. There is never enough to know. Working with such majestic creatures which all have a mind of their own is full of new things and approaches. One day you win a class and the next day you are eliminated. Nothing is guaranteed because Jumping is such an unpredictable sport. And you, as a rider, and also as a trainer, have to focus on how stay on a good path and when there are bad days just get up brush of and get back to work.”

Looking ahead, Kuchár wants his new skills and knowledge to assist Slovakia’s growth as an equestrian nation. Teeuwen said the two have discussed the possibility of a qualification system that could add a more defined framework for development.

With established equestrian professionals such as Teeuwen involved, the Scholarship for National Head Coaches can be advantageous for any nation looking to lift standards.

Teeuwen said: “The FEI asked me if I could be part of this programme. I was very interested in becoming involved and would like to help in the education of trainers. I think that it is important for federations to think about their own structures and be open to changes.”

FEI Solidarity promotes and develops equestrian culture and sport worldwide. Find out more about its mission and work here.