Fearless Firsts: Dasha Ivandaeva

Dasha Ivandaeva has high hopes for the future. The top-placed Canadian eventer at the 2013 Adequan FEI North American Junior and Young Rider Championships CCI**, this year the 17-year-old will be facing a number of firsts as she tackles the advanced/three-star division aboard her 11-year-old grey Polish Warmblood cross, Autorytet, and works towards the preliminary level with the 11-year-old warmblood mare, Scout, owned by Jessica Stringer.

Dasha admits that her introduction to horses as a 12-year-old came in a roundabout way. “I had absolutely no interest in horseback riding until my best friend dragged me along to one of her lessons,” she remembers. “I was playing tennis at the time and after watching, I was intrigued. When I got on the horse for the first time it just seemed to fit. Now, I am making my name in this sport and coincidently, my friend is making her name in the tennis world!”

Dasha, who lives in Tottenham, ON, is still riding with her first coach, Alex Hrybachov. “He is my biggest mentor and has taught me everything I know about horses. He taught me how to be an effective rider and how riding horses of different calibres is extremely important to this sport.”

Scroll to continue with content

Partnered with Autorytet (which means “authority” in Polish) for five years, Dasha believes that having grown together is one of the reasons for their strong bond. “He was six when we got him, and looking back we were both really young to understand the level of partnership that was required to compete at this level.” She is grateful for their time to develop as a team. “I’ve definitely developed a sense of security with him; the bond is more than just trust. I now know how he likes to be ridden, which makes it easy for me to connect with him. I set him up as best as I can and he helps me out as best as he can. I trust him 100 per cent and he has saved me way too many times.”

After attending a William Fox-Pitt clinic with Autorytet at the beginning of November last year, the opportunity arose to make the horse available for Fox-Pitt at the Royal Horse Show’s Indoor Eventing Challenge. Watching Fox-Pitt school and show her horse was a learning experience that Dasha will never forget. “During the clinic, he really helped me be a more balanced rider in the saddle. As he schooled Auto, he kept remarking that Auto appreciates a calm seat; since then, it’s all I work on!”

“I thought Auto was going to go mad in that big indoor ring, but when William got on him he seemed so cool, calm, and collected. His motto was “slow, low, and go.” He taught me that calm riding will get you further than being pushy – a wonderful insight.”

Moving up the levels has been a challenge for Dasha, who managed a full course load at high school while competing in Florida. “The higher FEI levels are so challenging. I’ve prepared myself physically, but mentally is a different story and it’s been difficult managing the expectations I’ve put on myself,” she explains. “The experienced competitors have been helpful in giving me little tricks of the trade, and I appreciate their support.”

The pair dipped their toes in advanced waters at Plantation Field Horse Trials in Unionville, PA, last September. On Feb. 2nd of this year, they won the open advanced/intermediate division at Poplar Place Farm in Hamilton, GA. “Going advanced for the first time really showed me how technical the higher levels are and how important precision is. There is also such an increase in crowds and the calibre of competitors. Knowing I’m in the same ring as some of the best in the world both thrills me and pushes me. I believe that all that pressure helps me to become stronger mentally.”