Nicolai Aldinger - English
Can you introduce yourself in a few words and tell you about your equestrian evolution?
I'm Nicolai Allinger, I'm from Germany, I'm 36 years old. I run a stable together with my girlfriend Tabea in Luhmühlen in north of Germany near Hamburg. At the moment we have around 20 horses, from young horse up to 5 star horses.
I started as a pony rider and now I'm a 5 star rider, so I'm pretty happy.
If you were an animal, you would be and why?
I would be a dog, especially one of my dogs, because I love dogs and they are allowed to do everything, whatever they want.
If you were a flow, you would be and why?
I'm always late.
If you were a quality, you would be and why?
I'm really calm and I think I can organize things really good.
If you were a horse, you would be and why?
I think I'm a little bit like Timmo, he has really really good quality, he's not always motivated, but he will do his job and I think I'm a bit like him.
If you were an equestrian disclpline, you would be and why?
I think cross country, because it's always fun.
If you were a competition, you would be and why?
I really like the English competition.
Now a few words about your best horse.
My best horse is Timmo, obviously because he's here. He's a really really nice horse, really good mover, really good jumper. He's not always the most motivated in cross country.
He's doing a really really good job and yesterday he keeps fighting really really hard. I like him, he can be a little bit like work in the stable because he's like biting and doing stupid stuff all the time. But in the end he's a 5 star horse so he can do whatever he wants.
Today, we are delighted to welcome Nicolai Allinger, a talented rider from Germany who runs a stable in Luhmühlen, near Hamburg, alongside his girlfriend Tabea. At 36 years old, Nicolai has made an impressive journey in the equestrian world, progressing from pony riding to competing at the 5-star level with around twenty horses under his care. In this interview, he will share his experiences, thoughts on equine well-being, and ambitions for the upcoming seasons. Get ready to meet a passionate and dedicated rider who places the happiness of his horses at the heart of his practice.
© Photo du Moulin
Can you describe Pau event?
For me Pau is an amazing event, it's really big. It's a really nice venue here with the race track. I like standing just near the car park and watching the race horses in the morning and then coming over and watch all the other stuff.
It's pretty far travel for us but I really like to be here.
How did you find the cross country yesterday?
It was really really tough, especially with all the rain and all the deep ground. I think it was the hardest conditions I ever rode in. But for me all the riders did a really really good job to give the horses a good feeling.
Nobody was fighting too much for the time so everybody just wants to come home safe.
What are you goals for the next competition season?
To compete 5 star again, we were thinking about going to Badminton. Next year is also European Championship, so I did last year in Haras du Pin. Maybe I'm in the team again, it's not so easy in Germany, there are a lot of good riders.
But we want to do 5 star and bring up some young horses and then we will see.
Last question, for you what is the place of ethology and equine well-being in high level sports? Do you think that equine ethology and well-being are sufficiently taken into account in the equestrian environment?
It's one of the biggest things that the horses feel good.
I think in no other sport than eventing the horses are treated that good. They have to be really good in dressage, they have to be fit in cross country, they have to be careful in show jumping. I think all the riders and the whole staff and the whole team are looking really good after the horses.
It's one of the biggest points to keep them happy and keep them healthy.
