Some people discover their passion later in life. For Katharina Kern, it has been there from the very beginning. Horses have always been part of her everyday life. That comes as no surprise, considering that her uncle ran a riding school and her mother was an enthusiastic rider. While other children played with Barbies or LEGO bricks, Katharina preferred spending her time at the stables. Many years later, not much has changed.
Born in Tyrol in 1985, Katharina works full-time in online marketing. But as soon as her workday ends, she swaps her desk for riding boots and heads to her favorite place: the saddle.
Darius – A Partner for Life
Katharina shares a very special story with her dressage horse, Darius. Together with her mother, she bought him as a five-year-old. Since then, horse and rider have become an inseparable team, both in and out of the competition arena.
After her mother's passing in 2020, that bond became even more meaningful. Every day, Darius reminds Katharina of the passion they shared together. She is convinced that somewhere up above, her mother is cheering them on every time they enter the show ring.
One of Katharina's proudest achievements is having trained Darius herself all the way to the highest level of dressage. Yet ribbons and rankings are not what matter most to her. Far more important is that her horse remains healthy, motivated, and genuinely enjoys his work. Even at 19 years old, Darius still does. The moment the horse trailer is parked outside, he knows exactly what's ahead, and his excitement is just like a child's on the morning of another competition day.
"Good dressage is like dancing, except your partner weighs 600 kilograms."
Every Competition Is Earned
Anyone who thinks competition success happens only on weekends couldn't be more mistaken. For Katharina, every show begins months in advance. Training continues throughout the year because strength, fitness, and suppleness need to be developed and maintained consistently. She especially uses the winter months to introduce new movements and build the foundation for the next competition season.
Before every test, she and Darius follow the same little ritual: a motivational snack. Yes, they even share a can of ROX Energy Drink. It’s a tradition Katharina has carried with her since her mountain bike racing days, and today it has become an essential part of every competition day.
When Horse and Rider Become One
Earlier in her career, Katharina competed successfully in both show jumping and dressage. Today, however, her heart belongs entirely to dressage. After selling her show jumping horse, she welcomed a promising young dressage prospect into her stable: Bellentines.
What fascinates her most about dressage is the harmony between horse and rider. When every aid becomes almost imperceptible and they move as one, everything appears effortless, even though every movement is the result of countless hours of dedicated training. For Katharina, good dressage is like dancing, only with a 600 kilogram partner.
Not Every Show Ends with a Ribbon
Of course, not every competition goes according to plan. Sometimes a rider's nerves transfer to the horse, and suddenly things that felt effortless during training become much more difficult.
But that's exactly what defines good horsemanship. To Katharina, a horse is never just a piece of sports equipment. It is a living partner with its own needs, emotions, and good or bad days. That's why she never judges a competition solely by the final result. What matters far more is what horse and rider learn together. More often than not, it's the difficult moments that make the strongest teams.
A New Dream in the Making
Alongside Darius, the young gelding Bellentines has now become an important part of Katharina's journey. She bought him as a four-year-old with one clear goal: to train him herself all the way to the highest level of dressage.
That journey is what inspires her most. Taking a young horse, developing it into a reliable partner over many years, building trust, and growing together is what makes equestrian sport so special for Katharina.
The Most Important Lesson: Listen to Your Horse
Ask Katharina for her most important piece of advice, and her answer comes without hesitation:
"Listen to your horse."
Because true excellence is never created through pressure; it grows from trust. When a horse genuinely enjoys working with its rider, that unique harmony emerges, making dressage such a fascinating sport. And that is exactly what motivates Katharina every single day.
