NOOR SLAOUI IN AACHEN: IT’S SHOWTIME
(No part of this article may be copied or reproduced in any form without the permission of HT)
“HEADPHONES ON, HEART RATE CHECKED, AND IT’S SHOWTIME!”, SHE WHISPERED TO HERSELF.
THIS IS HOW MOROCCO’S YOUNG PIONEER ON HORSEBACK PREPARES FOR THE BIGGEST STAGES IN EQUESTRIAN SPORT.
ALTHOUGH NOOR SLAOUI MADE THE SELFLESS CALL TO WITHDRAW LEGENDE P FROM THE FEI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS IN AACHEN FOLLOWING HER DRESSAGE TEST AND RIGHT BEFORE THE CROSS-COUNTRY AS HE WASN'T FEELING 100% - PUTTING HORSE WELFARE FIRMLY FIRST - HER VISION REMAINS FIXED ON THE HORIZON. IN THIS EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH HORSE TIMES, WE HAD A QUICK CHAT WITH THE BRAVE AND ELOQUENT OLYMPIAN AT THE AACHEN-SOERS AND LEARNT HOW SHE BREAKS DOWN HER WORLD-CLASS MINDSET AND HOW LIFE IS ON THE ROAD AS AN EVENT RIDER.
1. How does it feel like competing in Aachen in your World Championships debut?
Aachen is a dream come true! The most amazing venue, I understand all the hype around it now! The care that goes into looking after both humans and horses is second to none! The facilities are outstanding, and that main arena, with 40,000+ seats makes me feel like I am off to watch a music concert!
2. What made Legende P the right partner for you at the Championships instead of Cash in Hand?
Legende P is a young horse whom I felt needed the championship exposure ahead of LA28 Olympics which Cash in Hand already has. It will enable me to hopefully have several options with experience for that specific goal.
3. You’ve done it at the Paris Olympics and now you’re here; tell us about your mindset when stepping onto cross-country as the sole Arab woman?
It is a real honour to be the sole Arab representant in eventing. I am happy to raise the profile of this discipline in our region and truly hope it will motivate others to do the same. It is such a thrill to compete at such championships
4. What are some of your most important routines with Legende P share before entering any arena?
The most important routine before even getting on the horse is listening to my Spotify competition playlist. Plenty of very motivational songs to set the tone for the rest of the days. Then I really try to focus on my breathing. My heart rate can go up in such instances and the horse feels it so it’s very important to breathe and convey good energy.
5. How do you handle pressure?
I thrive under pressure. I am someone with a bit of ADHD and I have to work extra hard to focus at normal shows. Come a big one, the focus comes naturally with the pressure and I love that!
6. Walk us through the moments right before you enter the main arena: what is your final focus cue?
Right before I enter the main arena, I take a deep breath and always tell myself the same thing; “it’s showtime!”. No matter the discipline I, go through my movements (or jumps) one last time, and off I go.
7 What has surprised you most since you have arrived at the Aachen-Soers?
What’s surprised me the most, is the amazing green grass on the course and over all stadiums/training areas. Europe has suffered with drought this summer and everywhere is yellow with hard grounds. The grass areas here are immaculate and they have put so much care into it!
8. Eventing requires a big amount of travel and logistics across Europe. What is one unexpected challenge about life on the road with your team that fans rarely see on television?
One of the unexpected challenges on the road can be when or if our horsebox break downs. It does not happen often but when it does, it makes things really tricky to reorganise.
9. If you were not an event rider, what other sport would you choose as a profession?
If I were not an event rider, I think I’d love to be a professional water skier. Although I am not so good at it, I really enjoy it! HT
Photo by Baroness Ludwiga von Korff
* Slaoui was born on 21 January 1995.
** Slaoui became the first rider from Morocco, as well as the first woman representing the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, to compete in Olympic eventing, riding her horse Cash in Hand.
*** She has competed in high-level international eventing fixtures, including the FEI World Championships for Young Horses, the FEI Nations Cup, the Blenheim Palace International Horse Trials, and the Montelibretti Standard Show across Europe.
**** She earned a diploma in equestrian coaching from the renowned École Nationale d'Équitation de Saumur in France and co-founded her own professional eventing and training yard, Slaoui-Fellous Equestrian, in the UK.
***** She earned a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Politics and International Relations from the University of Warwick in England.
****** She is based in England, UK, specifically running her professional eventing and training yard in the Cotswolds (Oaksey, Wiltshire).