Currently living in Belgium and running the VDB Sporthorses stable with her partner, Anna-Julia Kontio is the newest addition to the CdG team.
Kontio and her partner Jens Vandenberk's VDB-Sporthorses is a business focused on sport, coaching, and the sale of horses. The number of horses varies between 15 and 20.
"I've been working for a little over a year now with new horses, the vast majority of which are owned by us. The goal is to build the horses up gradually and get back to five-star level," Anna-Julia Kontio says.
"At the moment, there are 8–10 competition horses. A few of these are younger, but some are already older horses that compete internationally at 2–5 star level."
The 10-year-old mare Callas is one of the most promising right now. The 19-year-old Fardon, familiar to many Finns and owned by Kontio, also continues competing, and age does not seem to bother him.
"In the current situation, the best thing is that most of the horses are our own and I get to develop them at my own pace, without outside pressure about results or sales. That's new," Kontio smiles.
Born in the saddle – the goal is to climb back to the top
Kontio, 29, originally from Ylöjärvi, has her own system for building horses to the top. Horses have been Kontio's passion since she was little, and becoming a show jumper has always been her dream.
"My family has always been around horses, and we already had our own stable when I was born. I got my first pony when I was one," Kontio says.
In the coming season, the goal is to develop each horse at its own level, and toward the end of the season move a few horses up to five-star level.
"The best thing about horses and riding is learning something new every day. You never get tired of it. In the longer term, the goal is to learn something new from every horse, improve my own riding a little every day, and of course establish top-level international performance again."
In Finland, Anna-Julia Kontio is known for a successful career already at a young age. Seasoned and experienced, Kontio is not easily rattled anymore, and she strongly believes in what she does and in her own skills.
"With new horses, success rarely comes immediately. You need patience, but the current solution has been the right one. We're moving forward all the time."
She lists her biggest career achievements as the win in the pairs competition at Paris Saut Hermes, the Helsinki GP, and placements in the World Cup.
But what is Kontio's secret with horses and the key behind success?
"I want the horses to be sensitive and completely on my aids. Only then can you succeed with them. I don't want to rush; horses need time to develop and to gain confidence. I always take each new horse as an individual without preconceptions, and I always start from certain basics when getting to know a new horse. I'm not very picky; I usually like all horses. Each one has its own edge and its own personality traits," Kontio laughs.
Basics, basics, and basics
As with everything with horses, Kontio starts from the basics in feeding as well: good hay, basic concentrates, and enough exercise. Those are important things. Often, Kontio can already see within the first few days if a horse requires something special, such as an oat-free diet, or whether a horse does well on feeds that include oats.
"Most of my horses get Chia de Gracia complementary feeds; the range includes everything my horses need. As a rule, older horses and those competing in bigger classes get support for joint and muscle function, for example from MSM and rose hip, as well as vitamin E. Sensitive-stomached horses eat the Protect That Tummy product, which has been a remarkable help for a few horses."
"Working with Chia de Gracia is something special and truly important to me, because I approach every horse and their health and wellbeing with passion. Even during our short collaboration, Chia de Gracia has helped me find the right products for many horses. And of course it's also nice to collaborate with a Finnish horse brand," Kontio summarizes.
When choosing products suitable for an individual horse, Kontio advises long-term consistency.
"You should always observe the horse calmly over the longer term, because that makes it easier to find the right products or product combinations for that individual."
In addition to Kontio, the CdG team also includes the UK-based international GP dressage rider Mikaela Soratie, Emmi Salminen (young riders) and Johanna Similä (juniors), as well as show jumper Noora Manninen (juniors).
Kontio is competing this week at the five-star show jumping in Bordeaux, France, from 6–9 February.
WHO: Anna-Julia Kontio
- 29-year-old show jumper
- From Ylöjärvi
- Lives in Belgium. Competes in show jumping and runs a sales, coaching, and competition stable with her partner.
- The most successful Finnish show jumper of recent years
- Especially remembered for her horses Rio Nuevo, Escape, Fardon, Ornellaia
- Rode in Team Harmony for Princess Haya of Jordan
- Got her first pony at age 1
- Three Finnish championships
- Father is the well-known harness driver Jorma Kontio
- Allergic to horses
