Ilona Mezzadri, a 19-year-old French rider, performed for many years on the pony circuits before transitioning to horses. Like all young riders competing in pony events, she long considered riding a passion. Now competing alongside the world’s top riders, she must also face new competition, make strategic choices, and adapt her training methods.
Today, surrounded by 5 competition horses, including 4 experienced ones, she competes in the young rider circuit and has recently been training at Écuries Angot. She is discovering a more professional training system focused on developing young horses, pursuing performance, and gradually understanding the commercial side of the equestrian world. Her status as a young rider allows her to take her time making decisions about her future path.
It is with this professional mindset, developed throughout her sporting career, that Ilona shares her secrets for a successful transition.
The Transition Should Not Be Abrupt
Ilona did not move from ponies to horses overnight. At age 11, she participated in her first amateur horse competitions while continuing to progress on ponies.
She made the definitive transition in her final year on ponies, in 2020. That year, she also participated in her last Pony Nations Cup and won her first Junior CSIO at Fontainebleau, marking a strong start to her young rider career.
At that time, she was riding two horses: Arcy Fou, with whom she competed at the Junior European Championships for two consecutive years, and Diamond’s Dream, a 7-year-old at the time, with whom she competed in 140cm professional classes.
Her competition schedule and season organization were not significantly affected because the rhythm at horse level remains the same. End-of-year events, such as the French and European Championships, remain the main goals around which typical competition weekends and training programs are structured.
The Season Structure Remains the Same
Whether on ponies or horses, the seasons are relatively similar, allowing young riders to maintain the same organization.
They are structured around competitions, Nations Cups, championships, and major end-of-summer events, which serve as primary motivation for the riders.
On ponies, these are often international competitions like the European Championships. On horses, there are various national and international championships in which young riders can participate.
Each stage provides new objectives and helps structure the year.
However, Ilona emphasizes the difference in physical demands on the horses between pony and horse competitions. Horse events require more effort, necessitating longer rest periods between competitions to ensure the horse’s well-being.
Her competition planning is also influenced by prize offerings. Unlike the pony circuit, horse competitions reward riders not only with products but also with financial gains.
The transition also brings changes in equestrian ambitions. Ilona explains that competition is different and motivations shift when riding horses.
“Competition is tougher at horse level.” – Ilona Mezzadri
Competition feels different. In pony events, young riders mostly ride for enjoyment and have an amateur level.
By competing on horses from age 16, young riders face professionals who train their top horses. The stakes are higher, which affects competition among participants. Many horse riders are professionals who make a living from their passion and adapt their training system for maximum performance. Competition strategies and horse rotations also vary to optimize performance and maintain profitability.
At this level, with expectations regarding income and profitability, riders ensure their skills and share a similar level, making it harder to stand out. Young riders must work twice as hard to compete with more experienced riders both technically and strategically.
Young riders who were at the top on ponies start again as juniors on horse circuits. They must work hard to improve technique, strategy, and performance to reach the level of professional riders.
The mindset of each rider evolves during this transition, associated with new challenges.
“My vision of riding has changed, but my passion for horses remains the same.” – Ilona Mezzadri
The notion of future, professional path, and profitability now comes into play in a career like Ilona’s. At under 20, she is already thinking about her future projects with horses to build the best possible future. She considers opportunities for developing young horses and sharing her experience with younger riders.
Becoming a professional equestrian requires preparation and significant investment. Even if passion remains a driving motivation, the stakes in an equestrian career are high, and professionals must secure their activity to maintain profitability.
Often supported by their parents during their pony years, young riders must learn to develop their activity independently, envision growth paths, and surround themselves with the right people.
Ilona comes from a relatively classic system, staying 10 years at the same stable during her pony and junior career. She was also supported by the national federation staff during clinics, as well as by Henk Nooren, Edouard Couperie, and Olivier Bost. Since November 2023, she has joined Écuries Angot to professionalize, gain technical guidance, discover new horses, and establish her own training system.
5 Horses with 5 Different Profiles
Ilona currently trains 5 competition horses with varied profiles: 4 experienced horses up to 145cm, including Éléonore de la Bride, Diamond’s Dream (10-year-old stallion who competed in this year’s Young Riders Nations Cups), Arcy Fou (13-year-old stallion who took Ilona to Junior European Championships), and Charlota (11-year-old mare newly arrived at the stable).
She also trains a 6-year-old horse, needing work and experience, to compete in 7-year-old classes mid-2024. This young horse allows Ilona to continue learning about developing young horses.
Since joining Écuries Angot in November 2023, Ilona has worked to highlight areas for improvement and qualities to strengthen. She works a lot at home to build confidence and connection on course, respecting the horse while aiming for peak performance.
With horses of varied profiles, Ilona has the opportunity to improve in many areas. She professionalizes and progresses with experienced top horses while gaining technique with young horses in their initial training.
This change of lifestyle brings challenges, doubts, and uncertainty about the future. Overcoming these requires preparation and anticipation of difficulties.
“Yes, of course, there is a hard reality.” – Ilona Mezzadri
To become professional when transitioning to horses, riders face challenges they must anticipate and overcome. Daily support from Eugénie Angot allows Ilona to gain autonomy and face this reality. A mentor plays a crucial role by offering guidance and advice to tackle difficulties.
To stand out, Ilona highlights consistency as key. Riding multiple horses, performing well with each, and diversifying competitions and courses demonstrates autonomy, ease, and adaptability, instilling confidence in owners.
Experience gained during the pony years, especially on the French team, also helps acquire skills for horse competitions, including technique, determination, mental strength, and self-improvement.
Ilona’s Final Advice
“What I can advise those who want to continue after ponies is to start on horses as early as possible and to invest in young horses to prepare for the future. Plan and anticipate this transition as early as possible. Most importantly, surround yourself with the right people who will give you the best advice, be there for your success, watch and learn from top riders, regularly reflect on your practice, and love horses!”
—–
We are proud to count Ilona Mezzadri among our Horse Pilot ambassadors & athletes and look forward to supporting her in her projects. Thank you to her for sharing her experience.
Photo credits: Sarah Bedu
