One of the most anticipated updates in the upcoming event are the extended coaching clinics requested by the audience. In dressage, it will be led by the successful championship rider and coach Daniel Bachmann-Andersen. The Dane has been in professional training since the age of 10 and has worked diligently to become one of his country’s best. The master will also be seen riding Finnish young horses. This is something you don’t want to miss!
“I first focus on the rider when dealing with a new combination. Riders seat, way of influencing the horse, and use of aids. Are the rider and horse in harmony, and how do they communicate,” describes Daniel Bachmann.
“I initially do a lot of transitions to create harmony. My passion is riding the corners. It prepares the horse for upcoming movements.” Daniel hopes for three good gaits from the dressage horse. They don’t need to be particularly flashy but rather workable. The horse must be able to move small and fast but also big and wide.
“Rideability is also very important. The structure of the horse must be correct, not front-heavy, rather moving uphill. And beautiful looks is a bonus.”
As a tall rider, Daniel does not, however, need a big horse like Vayron was.”I personally like normal-sized horses, over 170 cm. It’s easier for the horse that size to move big or small.”
Excellent Training from the Start
Horses attracted Daniel already as a child. He was privileged to start training with Olympic rider Morten Thomsen at the age of 10. The diligent boy also spent his free time at Morten’s stable, helping and riding his horses, and later competing with them.
The next step was a journey to Germany, where he went at the age of 16 for an apprenticeship. Denmark’s then-national team coach Rodolf Zeilinger took him under his wing and helped him advance in his career for the next six years. During this journey, Daniel also met his future Norwegian wife Tiril, who is also a dressage rider. The couple moved to Denmark in 2014 when Tiril became pregnant.
Daniel’s next job in Denmark was at the sport horse stable and stud Blue Hors. At the same time, he got to compete more, joined his country’s 2018 World Championship team, and in 2019 placed fourth in the World Cup final and won the Danish championship with the horse Blue Hors Zack.
A year later, Daniel was ready to spread his wings and started on his own. Championship success began to emerge, first with Marshall-Bell, with whom Daniel won World Championship team gold, and then with Vayron NRW, with whom he achieved team silver at the Paris Olympics.
International Grand Prix Arenas Soon Ahead
Currently, Daniel is working to bring new horses to the international Grand Prix level. Two sales horses are at the national Grand Prix level and ready for international competitions. However, there is also a third horse that excites Daniel. It is an 8-year-old mare Super Felice, which he had after the Paris Olympics. The mare has all the potential to become his next top horse.
“It looks good. It could be the next top, top horse. But it takes time, the next few years will show how it develops. Externally she is okay, but how she reacts to big competitions, for example, is still open.”
Daniel and Tiril, along with their three children, moved to their own stable near Århus last year. “We have lived here for over a year. We have renovated the entire property, which has required a lot of time and money. We are happy with our own place.”
Daniel´s dressage coaching clinic lasting for 1,5 hours is held on Thursday evening, February 26, 2026, at the international arena. The show jumping clinic will be held the same date. Daniel will also coach on Friday, February 27, in a shorter mini clinic after the 3* Grand Prix dressage competition.
Daniel Bachmann’s Championship Success
- 2024 Olympic team silver and 7th place in the freestyle and 9th place in the GP Special in Paris
- 2022 World Championship team gold and 8th place in the freestyle and GP Special in Herning, Denmark
- 2021 and 2023 European Championship team bronze in Hagen and Riesenbeck, Germany
