Autumn MET I 2026 – Four Horses, Three Weeks and a Journey of Progress
Updated: 5 days ago
Three weeks of international show jumping, four very different horses and countless memories. Autumn MET I brought clear rounds, strong results and a podium finish in the 1.30 m, with each horse bringing its own strengths, challenges and personality to the arena.
Competing at the Mediterranean Equestrian Tour (MET) in Oliva Nova is about much more than results. It is about finding the right rhythm and distance, making the right decisions under pressure and continuing to grow as a team. Looking back at these three weeks, I am proud of what we achieved together – and even more motivated for what comes next.
Quark de Preuilly Z – Building Towards the Next Level
Quark was one of the highlights of this Autumn MET I. Already an experienced horse with an impressive record at the highest level, he brings exceptional quality and experience to our partnership. These three weeks gave us another valuable opportunity to develop our connection and build towards the next step together.
We finished 6th in the 1.20 m and 6th in the 1.30 m, before achieving an excellent 2nd place in the Bronze 1.30 m class. Finishing on the podium in a class with 51 competitors made this result particularly special.
What I enjoy most is feeling how every round becomes better and how our partnership continues to grow. Moving up, gaining experience and learning to trust each other more with every start – that is what makes tehese results so rewarding. Quark has so much to offer. He’s a highly trained horse – already jumped up to 1.60 m, and my goal is to build on that experience as I continue developing as a rider.
King – Consistency, Experience and Trust
King once again showed why he is such an important partner for me. Across the three weeks at the MET, we collected numerous clear rounds, two Top 12 finishes and a Top 7 results in both the 1.20 m and 1.30 m classes.
For me, consistency is one of the most valuable qualities in show jumping. It is not just about one great round or one good result, but about returning to the arena, staying focused and delivering again. King and I have shared so many experiences, and every competition adds another chapter to our partnership. I am grateful for the trust we have built and for the way he continues to perform in the ring.
Gasira – Speed, Quality and Ambition
Gasira brought speed, quality and plenty of ambition to the arena. She is an exceptionally well-trained mare, and it is exciting to experience her strengths as we continue to develop our partnership.
One of our highlights was finishing in the Top 12 out of 81 competitors in the 1.20 m class. In the 1.30 m, we pushed the pace, took the tight turns and looked for every possible shortcut.Not every round was faultless, and a few poles came down along the way. But her speed, jumping quality and her fighting spirit are undeniable. Gasira knows exactly what she can do – and she’s showing me!
The exciting part is learning how to make the most of her qualities and bring everything together as a team. The potential is there, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can achieve next.
O’Brian van Rinsma State – A Future Superstar in the Making
At just seven years old, O’Brian is the horse who keeps me guessing – and makes sure that no day is ever quite the same!
His jumping ability and scope are exceptional, with the potential to tackle much bigger tracks in the future. The power, the technique and the scope for 1.50 m and beyond are there. The challenge now is to channel all that talent while keeping his curiosity and energy focused on the job. Because there is another side to his personality. O’Brian is curious, full of energy and sometimes far more interested in what is happening around him than in keeping all four feet on the ground. That can mean a few unexpected moments in the warm-up arena, the occasional rodeo performance and a reminder that with him, you always need to stay alert!
Alongside all that personality, he delivered some very encouraging results: two clear rounds in the 1.20 m and another clear round in the 1.10 m class. These results are another positive step in his development. The scope is there, the talent is there, and now it is about continuing to put everything together. I know there is a lot more to come from this horse, and I cannot wait to see how his journey develops.
Big talent. Big character. Big dreams.
More Than Competition – Inspiring Encounters
One of the special things about international show jumping is the people you meet along the way. Beyond the competition arena, Autumn MET I brought a few memorable moments that made these three weeks even more special.
A little fan moment with Janne Friederike Meyer-Zimmermann was definitely one of them. With her impressive career and major achievements in international show jumping, meeting her was a real highlight for me. Moments like these are a reminder of how inspiring it is to be part of a sport where you can meet riders whose achievements motivate you to keep working towards your own goals.
I also had the opportunity to meet Mariano Bastida Martínez, one of Spain’s leading show jumping riders, who was ranked among the world’s Top 50 riders last year. Mariano is also the rider I got Quark de Preuilly Z from in August, which made meeting him at the MET even more special. It was great to reconnect and reflect on the journey Quark and I have already started together.
Another lovely highlight was meeting Mila Osing, a young German rider who competes internationally, including in Nations Cup competitions. It was great to make new connections in the equestrian world and meet people who share the same passion and dedication to this sport.
These encounters reminded me that international competitions are about more than results and ribbons. They are also about inspiration, shared experiences and the people who make this sport so special.
Looking Ahead – Autumn MET III
As Autumn MET I comes to an end, I am taking home much more than a collection of results. Three weeks with four horses gave me the opportunity to gain experience, assess our progress and learn something new with each of them.
Quark brings the experience and quality of a horse that has already competed at the highest level, jumping up to 1.60 m with Mariano Bastida Martínez. My goal now is to build on that experience, learn from such a highly trained horse and continue developing as a rider. At Autumn MET III, I am aiming to jump my first-ever 1.40 m class with him – an exciting milestone that I am really looking forward to.
Each of my four horses brings something different to my development as a rider. King continued to demonstrate consistency and reliability, while Gasira impresses with her speed, quality and ambition. O’Brian, meanwhile, reminds me that exceptional talent can come with a big personality – and that sometimes, the journey is just as exciting as the destination.
But before returning to Oliva, there are more challenges ahead! Right now, we are heading into two weeks of international competition at the Sunshine Tour (first sneak peek below), where I will be competing in my first-ever CSI2* during the second week. After that, we will travel to Seville for the CSN4* Ciudad de Sevilla, before the countdown continues towards CSI1* Autumn MET III.
I am proud of my entire team and grateful for every round, every lesson and every result along the way. There is no time to stand still – the next opportunities to learn, improve and push our limits are already here.
Four horses, four individual journeys and one shared goal: to keep improving, keep learning and see how far we can go.
See you soon, MET Oliva!
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