Kristina Klebanova: Trust, Patience and the Road to Hagen

In just a few days, Monegasque showjumper Kristina Klebanova will represent Monaco at the FEI European Championships for Young Riders in Hagen A.T.W., marking the final European Championship of her young rider career. After already competing at five editions of the championship, she heads to Germany with experience, ambition, and a clear focus on delivering her best performance.

A Passion That Started at Five

For Klebanova, horses have been part of her life from the very beginning. She first got into the saddle at the age of five, and the connection she felt has never faded.

“I first sat on a horse when I was five years old. What made me fall in love with horses straight away was the connection you can build with them and the fact that every horse has a completely different personality,” she says.

More than a decade later, that curiosity continues to drive her.

“What keeps me motivated today is knowing that there is always something to improve, whether it is becoming a better rider or understanding my horse better. I believe that in this sport, you never stop learning.”

A Partnership Built on Trust

One horse has played a particularly important role in her development. Although choosing a single horse is not easy, Klebanova points to the talented mare Ironie des Prés Sauvages as the partner who has shaped her career the most.

“She’s now 12 years old, and I got her at the end of her seven-year-old season when I was 17. We’ve grown together over the years, so I know her very well, and I think she knows me just as well.”

Their partnership developed steadily from the very beginning. Ironie had only jumped one international young horse show before joining Klebanova, but together they quickly progressed through the ranks.

“Thanks to her amazing character, we progressed quickly. By the age of nine, we jumped our first 1.50m classes together, followed by our first 3* Nations Cup and later our first 3* Grand Prix at 1.55m.”

The foundation of their success has always been mutual trust.

“What makes our partnership so special is the trust we have in each other. I know I can always count on her, and I think she feels the same about me. She has taught me patience, trust, and to believe in both my horse and myself.”

Learning From Setbacks

Like every athlete, Klebanova has faced difficult moments. Rather than allowing setbacks to define her, she has learned to use them as opportunities for growth.

“I’m still learning how to deal with setbacks, but one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that one bad experience doesn’t take away all the good ones. It’s important to reflect and learn from mistakes, but not to let one difficult moment define you.”

She also credits the people around her for helping her maintain perspective.

“That mindset has made me a better rider because I can show up with a clearer head for my horses. I’ve also learned how important it is to have a strong support team, not only during good moments but also in the difficult ones. I’m very lucky to have that.”

All Eyes on Hagen

As the European Championships approach, Klebanova knows exactly what the event means. Having already represented Monaco on five occasions, this year’s championship carries extra significance.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to compete at five European Championships, and this one in Hagen will be my last as a Young Rider. It’s always an honour to represent Monaco at such an important championship.”

Preparation has been carefully planned, with every detail considered.

“It’s the main goal of my season, so we carefully plan both my competition schedule and my horses’ preparation. I also work with a fitness trainer, a sports psychologist, and a functional neurological skills trainer to make sure I’m performing at my best. My horses have an excellent team around them, so we don’t change much in their routine before a championship.”

Understanding Every Horse

Building strong partnerships with horses remains central to Klebanova’s philosophy. She believes patience is essential when getting to know a new horse.

“I believe every horse is different, so I never like to rush the process. The first thing I focus on is getting to know their personality and understanding them. I’m still learning every day, but I think trust is something that develops over time, both for the horse and for the rider.”

A Home Victory to Remember

Among the highlights of her career so far, one victory stands above the rest. Winning the CSI2* Grand Prix of Monaco last year, in front of family and friends, remains her proudest achievement.

“Winning the 2* Grand Prix of Monaco last year is definitely one of the moments I’m most proud of. It’s my home show, so having my family and friends there to share that moment made it even more special. It’s a memory I’ll always keep with me.”

Looking Beyond the Young Rider Years

Although Hagen marks the end of her Young Rider chapter, Klebanova’s ambitions continue to grow. She is determined to establish herself consistently at 3* level while continuing to develop horses from a young age to the highest level of the sport.

“My first goal is to become more consistent at 3* level and continue moving up when both my horses and I are ready. Long term, my dream is to compete successfully at 5* level and to produce horses from a young age all the way to the highest level. I hope my career takes me as far as my dedication and my horses can.”

As Klebanova prepares to represent Monaco once again at the FEI European Championships in Hagen, she does so with clear goals and the support of a dedicated team around her.

While this championship marks the end of her Young Rider journey, it also signals the beginning of an exciting new chapter. We wish Kristina the very best of luck in Hagen and every success in her future endeavors as she continues to pursue her ambitions on the international stage.

As she puts it, “What keeps me motivated today is knowing that there is always something to improve, whether it is becoming a better rider or understanding my horse better. I believe that in this sport, you never stop learning.”

Valentina Sozzi – ph Lucio Landa

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