Ilona Hannich, a Swiss equestrian vaulter, won a bronze medal in the 2023 European Championships. She is, an accomplished vaulter, has firmly established herself as a standout figure in the world of equestrian sports. In the European Championships held in 2023, Ilona showcased her exceptional talent and determination by securing an impressive four medals. Her outstanding performance in various categories, including Team, Individual, and Pas-de-Deux, attests to her versatility and mastery in the discipline of vaulting.
Her career has been highlighted by her participation in the prestigious World Equestrian Games in Tryon 2018. This global platform serves as a testament to her dedication and skill, as she competes at the highest level of equestrian excellence. Ilona’s achievements underscore her status as a prominent athlete, making her a formidable force in the world of vaulting.
In the mesmerizing world where athleticism converges with grace, She an accomplished equestrian vaulter from Switzerland, weaves a tale of unwavering passion, tenacious perseverance, and profound personal growth. Her journey, initiated at the tender age of eight, unfolds as a narrative rich in dedication, triumphs, and unexpected tribulations.
Ilona’s introduction to vaulting was akin to discovering a destiny written in the pages of a horse magazine. “I read about vaulting in a horse magazine, and I immediately knew that this was it,” she recalls, harking back to the moment when her equine passion found its artistic expression. Her love for horses, a foundation predating her vaulting pursuits, laid the groundwork for a journey that seamlessly blended athleticism and equestrian finesse.
“I was really fascinated by horses as a child, so I always wanted to ride,” she shares, elucidating the early origins of her profound connection with these majestic animals. The magnetic pull of vaulting became evident as Ilona transitioned from a spectator to an active participant, setting the stage for a journey that would span various equestrian disciplines.
As with many athletes, Ilona’s trajectory to the summit of vaulting wasn’t an instantaneous ascent but rather a gradual climb marked by dedication and discipline. “I think I just made step-by-step progress, and I was always really disciplined and worked a lot,” she reflects, underscoring the incremental nature of her rise in the vaulting world. Her journey saw pivotal moments, including joining the national team at the age of 15 and participating in the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018.
Amidst the adrenaline-pumping routines and glittering achievements, Ilona emphasizes the profound connection she forms with her equine partners. “For me, the connection doesn’t only start or end with the training; that’s kind of a smaller part,” she shares. Her training methods extend beyond the conventional, delving into the intricate world of groundwork, where she engages in basic exercises to enhance the horse’s balance, muscle utilization, and overall well-being.
“It’s really important for me to form the connection and also to really trust the horses. And this just takes time, also to learn to get to know the personality and to know how a horse reacts,” Ilona elaborates. This commitment to understanding the nuances of each horse’s temperament and physicality speaks volumes about her dedication to the holistic partnership between athlete and equine companion.
“At the core of my journey are my team members from Lütisburg,” Ilona affirms, shedding light on the camaraderie that fuels her pursuit of excellence. The squad, a collective of talented individuals, shares the joys and challenges of vaulting, creating an environment where training transcends routine and becomes a shared passion. “We have really good vibes, so it’s also so fun to train with them,” she adds, emphasizing the importance of a positive and supportive training environment.
She has a master’s degree in health psychology and behavioural medicine from the University of Bern in Switzerland.
Achievements:
- 2024 World Championship Stood 3rd in Team event held from 15th to 21st July 2024 at Bern Switzerland
- 2024 World Championship Stood 3rd in Individual event held from 15th to 21st July 2024 at Bern Switzerland
- 2022 World Championship Stood 3rd in Individual event held from 5th to 14th August 2022 at Herning, Denmark
- 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games Stood 9th in Individual event held from 11th to 23rd September 2018 at Tryon NC USA
Women Fitness President Ms. Namita Nayyar catches up with Ilona Hannich an exceptionally talented and accomplished, Swiss equestrian vaulter. Here she talks about her fitness regime, diet and success story.
Namita Nayyar:
Where were you born and had your early education? Equestrian vaulting is most often described as gymnastics and dance on horseback. You joined the Switzerland national team at the age of fifteen years and participated in the World Equestrian Games in Tryon in 2018. This later propelled your career to the height where you have been a world leading equestrian vaulting athlete. Tell us more about your professional journey of exceptional hard work, tenacity, and endurance?
Ilona Hannich:
I was born and raised near the capital city of Bern, Switzerland. I did all my education in Bern which was first high school and then psychology studies (a bachelor’s and master’s degree) at the university of Bern. My journey in vaulting was truly one of perseverance and endurance. I slowly but steadily worked my way up until the world’s top. The World Equestrian Games in Tryon 2018 were a major event for me, surely one of the milestones I remember well.
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This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2025 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
While performing Equestrian vaulting where choreographing routines is an art form, it’s about finding a balance between showcasing strengths and creating a captivating performance. Elaborate?
Ilona Hannich:
Vaulting is a unique combination of harmony with the horse, showing difficult acrobatic skills and creating a captivating story and choreography with music. It’s important to develop an artistic concept that the spectators understand. For me, I always chose music and choreographies I felt passionate about. For me, connecting to the spectators and being able to create a unique atmosphere while at the same time performing skills and creating unity with the horse is just such a fascinating and rewarding feeling in vaulting.
Namita Nayyar:
At 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games you stood 9th in the individual event that was held from 11th to 23rd September 2018 at Tryon NC USA, how this event in your equestrian vaulting journey act as a catalyst in your metriotic rise as a leading equestrian vaulting athlete?
Ilona Hannich:
Already one year before, I had a big catalyst in my career as I qualified for the World Cup season in the winter of 2017/2018. This was a big milestone for me. Only a small group of athletes qualified for this World Cup series and therefore I was in a bigger spotlight. The qualification for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon 2018 was then a big achievement for me. With this, a big dream came true. Placing in the top 10 was a good result and confirmed that I was on the right way. But there was still a lot of work to do, and when I look back now, I see that from there, I have grown a lot – skill-wise but also mentally.
Namita Nayyar:
Year 2023 was a dream year for you, while competing for Switzerland you participated in 2023 Continental/Regional Championships held on 24th July to 30th July 2023 at Flyinge Sweden. You won an impressive five medals (Three Silver and Two Bronze). You showed exceptional outstanding performance in various categories, including Team, Individual, and Pas-de-Deux. Tell us your experience at this European event of Equestrian vaulting and what you learned to move further in your sporting career.
Ilona Hannich:
Well, the European Championship 2023 was just unbelievable. Winning so many medals was overwhelming and I am still so thankful and proud I could experience this. I came from a very difficult place and had some major setbacks in the months before this championship, but I didn’t give up and I believed in me and my surroundings.
The Championship itself was thrilling, and I managed to keep my mental focus over all the different events and show confident and calm rounds. I could show that I am able to perform in different settings, with different horses and in different categories – and that I am very, very passionate about all of them. It never happened before in vaulting, that an athlete won so many medals in one championship. It’s still somewhat unbelievable.
Namita Nayyar:
You have coaches like Alana, Barbara, Moni and Lisa who have been a catalyst who helped you pave the way to rise in your career with discipline and a never stopping attitude. Elaborate about their influence on your professional sporting life?
Ilona Hannich:
All those coaches had a big influence on me. They have been not only coaches, but also became family. They saw me in so many different situations, when I was doing bad and experienced hard times, but also when I was striving and doing well. All of them had a different way of approaching the trainings and the sport, and so I got the chance to profit from a broad range of feedback.
I am very thankful that my coaches invested so much of their free time in this sport, from the trainings and the countless hours of work with the horses to all the competitions. I don’t take this for granted, as in vaulting, we don’t earn money from the sport and so, everything is bound to just working for free and doing things in your free time.
Namita Nayyar:
What exercises comprise your fitness regime or workout routine you may wish to share?
Ilona Hannich:
In vaulting, the exercise regime is similar to gymnastics. We do a lot of bodyweight and drilling exercises. A big part of my training was core work and handstands. Also, we train hours over hours on electrical simulators/moving barrels – they simulate the horse’s movement, so we can practice our skills a hundred times there before doing it on the horse.
Our horses only do vaulting trainings twice a week and have their own training schedule next to it with a lot of riding, ground work and so on. So, the biggest time of my training is not on horseback, but on the moving barrel, on the floor or in the gym. Also, I take dance lessons to work on my expression and artistic skills. We need a lot of different characteristics, so the training schedule is quite diverse.
Namita Nayyar:
How do you train your abs? One secret to your toned body.
Ilona Hannich:
One basic skill for my abs is the hollow body hold where I lie on my back, I try to keep my back flat on the floor while lifting my legs and arms only a little bit off the floor. Also, exercises like V-ups, planks or L-sits are in my core routine. We need our core all the time in every single exercise. It’s the part of the body that keeps everything else connected and gives a lot of stability and control on the moving surface.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take a special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Ilona Hannich:
I am vegetarian, but besides that don’t have a fixed diet. I eat very healthy because I just like healthy food. I try to incorporate the basic components like carbs, vegetables and protein for every meal, but also I think it’s good to just learn to listen to what your body needs and be relaxed about food.
Namita Nayyar:
Five foods you absolutely love and five you keep to a minimum.
Ilona Hannich:
I love all vegetables, bananas, pasta, salad and cheese (of course, I’m Swiss). I also love chocolate but try not to over-indulge in it, I think for me this gets addictive quite fast. Also, I keep alcohol to a minimum, especially in times of hard training and some months before big competitions I don’t drink at all. Other foods I don’t actively keep to a minimum, but I don’t often eat deep fried things.
Namita Nayyar:
You have glowing skin and gorgeous hair. Share with us your hair care and skincare routine.
Ilona Hannich:
Well, this is not my area of expertise. I’m probably quite lucky with my hair and skin, it looks good without a big or reflected routine. I wash my hair almost every day which I know is supposedly not the best way to go. But as I train and sweat every day, I just like to feel clean and fresh afterwards.
For my skin care, I use a daily face cream, one for the night and wear a good sunscreen in summer. But that’s about it.
Namita Nayyar:
Building trust forms the core of vaulting athlete relationships with horses. Adapting to different horses for international competitions requires building trust swiftly. What is your unique strategy to build the near perfect connection with equine partners, Elaborate?
Ilona Hannich:
This is one of the most beautiful things about vaulting: Forming trust and friendship with your equine partner. I think the unity and relationship builds with shared experiences and over time. There’s no way around spending time with each other and making all kinds of different experiences. You have to learn how the horse reacts, what it likes and dislikes. And this might be different for every single horse you work with. You spend time and try to understand each other, make training motivating and rewarding for them and strengthen their trust in you.
I think it’s very important that we work hard on ourselves, so we are always in balance and soft on the horse. This also gives them trust. So like in a friendship with other people, the connection forms over time, and sometimes, with some horses, it instantly clicks and you feel like you’ve always known each other. The difference is that you don’t communicate as direct and the horse can’t talk, so you have to pay close attention to their body language and reactions.
Namita Nayyar:
Five athletic leisure brands you love to wear.
Ilona Hannich:
Nike, Swiss Designer Sport, the north face, adidas, on.
Namita Nayyar:
Five travel destinations on your wish list.
Ilona Hannich:
Canada, Brazil, South Africa, Japan, and Namibia.
Namita Nayyar:
Quote you live by.
Ilona Hannich:
If you can dream it, you can do it.
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about a day in the life of Ilona Hannich
Ilona Hannich:
Mostly, every day looks a little bit different. In a day I work, I get up, often take a cold shower, eat my breakfast and read, then I leave for the office. I work in the office but leave early, probably around 3 or 4 p.m. and then go to training. Depending on the day, the training schedule is different, but mostly I train 4-5 hours.
For the days I don’t work, I get up with the same schedule as above, I get some things done I have on my to-do list and then mostly go for two training sessions with a break in between.
Namita Nayyar:
During the Covid pandemic. Tell us more about your routine to remain fit in those challenging times?
Ilona Hannich:
In the first lockdown, we would organize ourselves with online training sessions. I did a lot of handstand trainings and stretching at home. Luckily, for handstands you don’t need much space. Also, I went outside for a run or did some gymnastics and body weight training in the garden. I also had a barrel in my mum’s garden, so I often went there to train on the barrel.
After some months, athletes in the national team we were allowed to train again with some restrictions, so I could go back to an almost normal training schedule.
Namita Nayyar:
You have suffered a broken arm, a ruptured spleen, and a compressed spine during your career. In sports like Equestrian vaulting how were you able to overcome any physical or sports injury setbacks and what advice can you give to those in a similar situation.
Ilona Hannich:
There were some injuries and setbacks I had to take, and all of them needed patience. But I always had good supervision and advice from my sports doctor and physiotherapists, so I was never alone in the journey to recovery. This played a major role. Also, I also tried to quickly have a rehab plan I could follow, which always much more is motivating than just spending your days hoping it gets better. I tried to focus and my progress and what was better than yesterday instead of what I couldn’t do anymore. Which was, of course, not always easy.
All those factors would be my advice: Look for some really good sports doctors and physiotherapists that have an understanding of high-level sports or the demands of your particular sport. Form a plan with little steps that also allows you to see your progress. Work on your mindset and always know that it is normal it takes time to build trust and your abilities again, but it will come back.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and the message for its visitors?
Ilona Hannich:
I would say it’s amazing to give a platform to women in general, and women in sports. I would tell every girl and woman that they can be proud of what they do, what they have already achieved and that there is so much potential in each of us. They don’t have to hide at all. You’re amazing as you are now and don’t have to look or be any different. When you do something: Do it for yourself.
Namita Nayyar:
Advice and motivational words to the inspiring and budding Equestrian Vaulting girls, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in the field of Equestrian Vaulting?
Ilona Hannich:
No matter where you stand and which level you’re at: Your passion itself is enough. I love that you are doing this sport, and that you are part of this community. I made it to the top of the world from the very bottom, so I know everything is possible. Don’t let yourself be taken down by people who don’t understand you or don’t seem to believe in you. You have it in your hands to believe in yourself and to put in the work you need to achieve your very own goals. Take reflected decisions that pave the way towards the life you want. Surround yourself with people and things that give you a good energy. Believe in you.
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar, President of womenfitness.net, and should not be reproduced, copied, or hosted in part or in full anywhere without express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2025 Women Fitness