It started as a childhood love for horses. Today, Frederike Staack has built her entire life around show jumping. With extensive experience from FEI competitions, she regularly competes on the CSI tour, bringing horses to the absolute top level of the sport.

With her sights set on the highest level of show jumping, Frederike knows that success doesn’t come overnight. It takes years of dedication, hard work and, as she puts it herself, a genuine respect for the horses. And most importantly: the determination to keep going.

About Frederike Staack

• Born: April 24, 1997

• Lives in: Antwerpen, Belgium

• Competes for: Germany 🇩🇪

• Discipline: Show jumping

• Instagram: @staackfrederike
  
  

For someone who doesn’t know you, how would you describe yourself?

– I would describe myself as a very dedicated and passionate rider. Horses have always been at the center of my life, and I approach the sport with a lot of discipline, patience, and respect for the horses. I’m constantly trying to learn and improve, because in this sport, you never really stop evolving. For me, the partnership between horse and rider is what makes this sport so special. At the same time, I’m a very positive and smiley person. I try to bring good energy to the stable and enjoy the journey, because even though this sport is demanding, it’s also something that brings me a lot of happiness. 

How did you first get into horses?

– I started riding at a very young age, and from the beginning, I felt a very natural connection to horses. I didn’t grow up in a horse family, but my grandparents and my parents always supported my passion from the very start and encouraged me to follow my dreams. What began as a childhood love for horses gradually became something much more serious for me. Over the years, that passion kept growing, and it naturally developed into the professional path I chose.

“What began as a childhood love for horses gradually became something much more serious for me. Over the years, that passion kept growing, and it naturally developed into the professional path I chose.”

– Frederike Staack

Can you tell us a bit about where you’re based right now? 

– My year is divided between two bases. During the summer months, I’m based in Antwerp, Belgium, and in the winter, I spend most of my time in Doha, Qatar. This setup allows me to stay active on the international circuit throughout the year and to compete in different environments. Both places offer great opportunities for training and competition, and that international exposure is very valuable for developing both the horses and me as a rider.

What does a typical day look like for you?

– Most days start early at the stable around 7:30 am and end around 5/6 pm. The focus is always on the horses first – making sure they feel good, training them, and working on their development. I usually ride around 8 horses a day, each with a slightly different program depending on their level and needs. 

Alongside riding, I also spend time training clients and supporting them in developing their riding and reaching their goals. There’s a lot of work outside the saddle as well, from planning training schedules and shows to making sure the horses are happy, healthy, and progressing in the right way. I have an incredible team around me who help me on this journey and make sure I can fully concentrate on riding and training, which I am so grateful for.

What would you say is your biggest strength as a show jumper?

– I believe one of my biggest strengths is my ability to really understand the horses I ride. Every horse is different, and I try to adapt my riding to bring out the best in each one. Building trust and communication with the horse is essential, and when that partnership is strong, it reflects in the ring. I also try to be very consistent in my results and approach the sport step by step. Developing horses and achieving success at the top level takes time, so for me it’s important to stay patient, build confidence with each horse, and keep progressing steadily. 

“Building trust and communication with the horse is essential, and when that partnership is strong, it reflects in the ring.”

– Frederike Staack

How do you prepare mentally before entering the arena?

– Before entering the arena, I try to stay calm and very focused. I usually visualize the course, think through my plan, and concentrate on the rhythm and feeling I want with my horse. Music also plays a big role for me – I often listen to songs that help me get into my zone and focus before going on the horse. Sometimes I also rewatch older videos of good rounds, because it helps bring back that positive feeling and confidence. In the end, I try to keep things simple and trust the preparation we’ve done at home.

Do you have a particular type of horse you prefer? What qualities do you look for?

– I wouldn’t say I have one specific type of horse. Of course, scope and carefulness are very important for a show jumper, but for me the mentality of the horse is just as crucial. I appreciate horses with a strong character and a good attitude towards work. I also really enjoy working with talented “raw diamonds” – horses with natural ability that you can shape and develop along the way. Being part of that process and helping a horse grow step by step into its full potential is something I find very rewarding. A horse that wants to fight for you in the ring and truly enjoys the sport is something very special. 

How do you stay motivated during challenging periods or setbacks?

– Setbacks are part of every rider’s journey. Horses are animals, so things don’t always go exactly according to plan. You’re constantly learning and adapting, and that can sometimes come with challenging moments. For me, it’s important to stay patient, learn from those situations, and keep the bigger picture in mind. Sometimes setbacks are also a reminder of why you started in the first place. In this sport it can feel like things aren’t progressing as quickly as you’d like, but when you take a step back and look at the journey, you realize how many steps forward you and the horses have actually made. That perspective helps me stay motivated and focused on continuing to grow.

What advice would you give to young riders aiming to reach a professional level?

– I would say that patience and consistency are key. Success in this sport doesn’t come overnight – it takes years of dedication, hard work, and a genuine respect for the horses. Surrounding yourself with the right people and always staying open to learning is also incredibly important. It’s also normal to feel mentally weak or discouraged at times. Every rider goes through those moments, and it’s simply part of the journey. The important thing is to keep going and not give up during the difficult periods. Those challenging moments often make the successful ones even more special, and they remind you why you love the sport in the first place. 

“The important thing is to keep going and not give up during the difficult periods. Those challenging moments often make the successful ones even more special, and they remind you why you love the sport in the first place.”

– Frederike Staack 

What are the top three moments you’re most proud of in your career so far?

– Some of the moments I’m most proud of are producing several horses to the 1.60 Grand Prix level, including Hello Mango and Jappeloup. Seeing horses you’ve worked with develop and succeed at the highest level is always incredibly rewarding.

Another very special milestone for me was bringing my own horse Sansibar to the higher levels of the sport this year. I’ve had him since he was a foal and produced him together with my sister Catharina from the very beginning, so that journey and the success we’ve had together mean a lot to me personally.

Finally, one moment I will always be proud of is having the opportunity to ride at CHIO Aachen. It’s such an iconic show in our sport, and being able to compete there was very special for me. It’s definitely a place I would love to return to again in the future. 

What are your future goals as an equestrian?

– My goal is to continue developing as a rider and to compete at the highest possible level. I want to keep producing talented horses and building strong partnerships with them, while continuing to grow within the sport and achieve success at major international competitions. I do have big dreams for the future, but I also feel very grateful for where I am already. I’m surrounded by wonderful people and horses, and I’m very happy with the life I have built around this sport.