Stride by Stride with the Shooting Star, Anna Buffini
Interview by Lily Forado
- When did you fall in love with horses?
I really fell in love when I got my first pony at 12 years old but I’m pretty sure I was born with a love for horses. Growing up I collected Breyer horses and I owned every movie with a horse in it. Every vacation I always made sure we toured the city on horse back instead of in a car.
- How did you get started in dressage?
I was training to become an elite gymnast until I was too injured to continue at the age of 9 and then my love of horses lead me straight to them. I started riding at a dressage barn at the age of 10 and I never stopped. I’ve wanted to go to the Olympics since I was 5 years old, I just had to find another way besides gymnastics to have the opportunity to get there!
- Dressage is occasionally referred to as “horse ballet.” If you were asked to describe your discipline in a few sentences, what would you say? What is the most enjoyable part of dressage for you?
It definitely is like ballet but also mixed with track, weight lifting. There’s nothing like it. You not only have to train the animal but yourself as well and you don’t speak the same language so it can be extremely difficult understanding each other. It’s another being with it’s own emotions and thoughts. I’ve never been bucked off by a basketball before that’s for sure. I love how much history is apart of dressage. These horses were war animals pulling canons and being ridden in the cavalry charging fearlessly into the fight. Dressage was a tool they used to maneuver their horses in battle, I love that there is so much meaning behind what we do. The most enjoyable part is easily the bond and partnership between horse and rider. Sundayboy is my best friend and we give 100% to each other every ride.
- What is your favorite sport next to equestrianism? Do you have other interests apart from riding?
Gymnastics is my favorite sport next to riding. I love spending time with my family and playing the piano and singing. Also working out is a huge past time of mine. Every elite rider I’ve met has a strong work out program. Working out helps you understand what your horse is going through when you are riding them and also helps you develop the strength and balance you need to ride them properly.
- What person outside your family has done the most for your career?
Guenter Seidel has had a huge impact on my career. Last year I was quite burnt out and ready to give riding a break. I decided to move to his barn and he helped me find my passion for it again. He also helped take my two horses and I to the national championships winning first and second place for the first time in history at Festival of Champions in the U-25 division. He is so classical in his training, honest and very tough. You know that when he says you’ve done a good job that you really have. He also teaches you to not be emotional on horseback, to not take anything personally but continue to be patient and train compassionately and correctly and the results will come. Even though we’ve been together a short time Debbie McDonald has also become a great role model and mentor to me.
- Who is your greatest role model either personally or as a mentor?
My parents are my biggest role models in life. My mom was on the U.S. National Volleyball team and also had 6 children and homeschooled us all through High School. She is the hardest working most positive person I know. My dad is an immigrant from Dublin Ireland who moved here when he was 18 and started one of the largest real estate coaching companies in the world. He is also a motivational speaker. I have the positivity and inspiration coming from both sides!
- Describe the top five priorities in your life in rank order and explain why.
- My faith in God is the number 1 priority in my life.
- My family. They are my best friends and are always there for me.
- My horses
- Fitness and health because it really affects every aspect of your life.
- My friends, they are there for me weather I win or lose and always encourage me and I love to encourage them as well
- What are your strengths and weaknesses as a rider?
One of my strengths is the harmony and bond I try to achieve with my horses. The better friendship we have the better we do in the show arena. An area I need to work on is patience. As riders we are perfectionists and we are always trying to be better and get to the next level. I always have to remember to be patient and not be so hard on myself.
- Who is your idol in the dressage world and why?
Mine would have to be Guenter Seidel, I have never seen anyone in my life with a better seat or quieter hands and such compassionate, patient riding. His horses love him and he really knows how to speak their language. Debbie McDonald of course is another riding idol, she speaks horse and her timing is out of this world. Laura Graves, Kasey Perry, Adrienne Lyle and Charlotte Dujardin I have to name also because they are rockstars.
- If you could ride a horse right now, that is not your own, who would it be?
Totilas in his prime would be absolutely amazing!!
- Let’s talk about your horse. When did SundayBoy come to you? Do you have a specific routine that you do with him?
We found Sundayboy in Holland in the Spring of 2012. At first he was very shy and serious. I would spend all day with him grooming him, singing to him in his stall and hand walking him. He got very sick in the first month I owned him and there were many days I slept at the barn to watch him. All of this time together really bonded us and showed him he could trust me and his silly personality finally started coming out. He thinks he is the king and deserves all the attention from everyone and that every carrot is meant to be fed to him. At shows I like to do everything with him so we are really together in the competition arena. In the morning we tack walk in the arena to get used to the environment, then later in the day we will have a lesson and then a hand walk in the evening. He gets many therapies to keep him comfortable and performing at his best so that takes up a lot of time in the day. Therapies including the magnetic blanket, Respond Systems Laser, Revita Vet infa red light, ice and Game ready. After everything is done I like to just sit outside his stall and be with him. He is very attached and especially at shows he likes me to stay with him.
- Among many others, your successes include two times national championships. What is your long-term goal this season?
One of my goals is to be selected for the U,S. team in the first U-25 Nations Cup in America at end of march. Also at that same show, earn our second set of scores in hopes of being selected to compete in Europe in the U-25 division this summer.
- Being part of the WIT program as a trainer, how would describe the experience?
WIT is an amazing one of a kind program the U.S. is blessed to have. I’m 22 and this is my first time ever in Wellington, some of these girls are as young as 12 and are able to experience this world. It will definitely put them on the right track to help them achieve their riding goals and also inspire them to work hard after seeing such great riders compete every weekend.
- As your first season in Wellington, can you tell us your first impression?
It’s like Disney World for horse riders! You are completely immersed in a horse world. It’s a non-stop, fast paced learning environment that leaves you motivated and inspired to work harder than ever to achieve your dreams.
- What would be the show that you would like to compete the most?
Of course the ultimate goal of every rider are shows like the Olympics, WEG and World Cup but also a more realistic & achievable goal would be the opportunity to compete in Aachen in the U-25 division. Everyone I talk to tells me that Aachen is absolutely incredible and I hope that our hard work pays off and allows us to experience it one day!
