Diana Borovyk, a young dressage rider from the Ukraine, declared the CHIO Aachen and the FEI Youth Equestrian Games as being open yesterday evening. We spoke to the 20-year-old about the situation in her native country and her plans for the CHIO Aachen.

You addressed 37,500 spectators yesterday evening. What kind of a feeling was that for you?
It was a great honour for me that I was chosen from among all the participants from all nations to open this fantastic event. Of course, I was also a bit nervous standing on that huge platform. But it is simply a dream come true for me to be able to experience all of this.

What is the situation like in your home country? 
I come from Sumy, which is located in the North East of the Ukraine and thus very close to the Russian border. It is impossible to describe the situation there in words. On the day the war began the worst nightmare became reality for me and for everyone who lives there. I am thus very grateful that I was able to flee from the country and move to Belgium with my horse, where we are currently living and training.

 
What have the first days here at the CHIO Aachen been like for you?
It is an incredibly wonderful event. The stadiums are huge, the conditions are simply perfect. And it is such a nice feeling being welcomed with open arms. For me it is a fantastic gift being able to experience the whole of this here and I am very proud to represent my country here.

You will be competing here on Friday in the Prize of Liselott and Klaus Rheinberger Foundation with your mare, Baby Royal. Tell us about her.
She is a real character. Sometimes she has a mind of her own. But I love her very much and in the six years we have known each other, we have become best friends.

What goal have you set yourself? 
I simply want to do my very best. I am the only rider from the Ukraine, who is competing here in Aachen. So I want to put in my best performance and represent my country as well as possible. I hope I’ll succeed in doing so.