Aachen, August 24th

Interview with Nicola Ströh (GER)
Reigning World Champion in Vaulting

Germany has held the World Championship title in vaulting for years. The reigning Ladies World Champion is Nicola Ströh from Hamburg. After a meniscus injury almost prevented her from competing at the WEG in Aachen, the vaulter from Hamburg surprisedly took the German Championships title at the beginning of August after a long injury period. The 25-year-old was greeted enthusiastically by her fans on Thursday during the compulsory test.

Question: Were you satisfied with your first WEG performance in the Deutsche Bank Stadium?

Nicola Ströh: I am terribly happy. Everything worked out right, the horse went well and there was a terrific atmosphere in the stadium. These World Championships in Germany are very special for us.

Question: Whereby you had a long nervous wait before finding out if you had qualified for the WEG due to your injury?

Ströh: Yes, that's right. Normally, you start preparing for this sort of tournament in the winter, gradually increasing the training from month to month so that you are top fit for the World Championships. In my case this gradual escalation wasn't possible. I couldn't start training properly until three weeks ago. And I could never be sure if there would be enough time until the WEG. I went through quite a few downs. But fortunately everybody gave me wonderful support. I chose the right horse and the right lungeur. The German Championships - my first tournament after the injury period - restored my confidence.

Question: But will the preparation suffice in order to successfully defend your title here in Aachen? Your competitors are namely in close pursuit.

Ströh: I don't feel like I am being pursued. On the contrary, I am relatively relaxed. Perhaps I don't feel like I am under that much pressure because of my injury. I am just delighted that I am able to be competing here in Aachen at all. Admittedly the expectations are extremely high. Everyone is of course now hoping that I will take a medal home with me.

Question: And your knee can be fully exerted again?

Ströh: I didn't notice anything during the compulsory test. But I didn't risk anything with the dismount. I can't afford to sustain another injury.

Question: What can we look forward to in the freestyle test on Friday?

Ströh: Music from the film "Chicago". I am actually excited myself, because I haven't performed the freestyle routine at an international competition yet. Because I am quite well built and my compulsory test is accompanied to music from "Rocky", I wanted to set a contrast with the freestyle and place the emphasis on elegance and femininity.

Question: For the spectators the acrobatic exercises performed on the horse - ranging from handstands to the scissors - look easy and relaxed. But in fact they actually involve a great deal of work, don't they?

Ströh: The training is mostly underestimated by the public. For large tournaments, we have to practise several hours a day. However, not as much on the horse, but in the fitness room instead or by jogging. Vaulters require a very good condition and a lot of strength and they have to constantly work on their agility.

Question: Vaulting is the only discipline in the equestrian sport that has separate World Championship titles for the men and the ladies. Wouldn't you like to participate against your male competitors?

Ströh: No, that wouldn't make much sense. The men simply have more strength than the ladies and as a rule the women are more agile. This would make a direct comparison very difficult. And the men and women don't compete against each other in the other sports either - whether it be football or tennis.