Nicole Giesen and Slow Fox V

Born on the same day as Julia-Katharina von Platen, 18 year old Nicola Giesen does not aspire a professional riding career like birthday partner Von Platen; Nicole still has to finish her final highschool examinations in 2000. Yet, besides making her homework for school Nicole spends her days with intensive horse training, which is clearly reflected in her achievements. 

In 1998 she became reserve junior rider champion of the Rhine are, sixth in the German Junior Riders' Championships and later on won the 1999 Rhinelander state championships. At the last 1999 Junior Riders' qualifier in Bad Honnef, she twice settled herself in third position with the nine year old Dutch bred Slow Fox V. This excellent performance made chef d'equipe Holger Schmezer decide to form this year's German Junior Riders' Team with Giesen as member. This was a wise decision, as Nicole and Slow Fox became the individual champions at the 1999 European Junior Rider Championships in Austria. Giesen considers her trianer Heiner Schiergen as a true example, together with Isabell Werth.

Related Link: German Equestrian Federation

Image copyrighted Mary Phelps - http://horsesdaily.com