Anna Šellere: Life in the Stable, the Sporting Journey, and the Reality of Horse Breeding in Baldone
If you’re looking for an inspiring story about someone who has quite literally grown up in a stable, Anna Šellere’s experience offers a real insight into how much work and discipline stand behind the beautiful world of horses. In the podcast Jātnieku ceļš, Anna shares her everyday life in Baldone, the story of the Telfas stable, and her journey toward competing at higher levels.
“I was born in a stable”
Anna explains that horses entered her family through her mother’s first horse, Telfa—who later gave the stable its name. Over time, what began as a small setup grew into a serious operation with a large number of horses: from 16 horses when they moved into the new stable to around 38 in daily work (and even over 40 during summer). Her sport horses live in stables but spend as much time outdoors as possible, while young horses are mostly raised outdoors 24/7, which supports both their physical health and psychological well-being.
Discipline from childhood and sporting progress
Anna admits that during her teenage years she sometimes wanted to “live like everyone else,” but the discipline instilled by her mother—regular riding, training, and consistency—became the foundation of her growth. She started competing at a very young age and gradually progressed from children’s classes to junior and adult levels, emphasizing that success depends on horse availability, trainers, rider commitment, and experience.
She also highlights that a horse can begin more serious sport later—around the age of seven—if it has talent, willingness to work, and correct preparation. Her current top horse (mentioned in the interview) has allowed her to progress to competitions at around the 145 cm level.
Horse trading: fast pace and responsibility
During the summer season, Anna is often involved in horse sales. This means not only training but also filming videos, creating sales materials, and competing so horses gain experience and visibility. Her approach is practical: selling a horse within a reasonable time frame (often 2–3 months), offering fair prices, and building solid foundations. At the same time, she stresses the importance of understanding the market— in Latvia, the highest demand is for horses up to ~130 cm level: rideable, sensible, suitable for amateurs and young riders.
Breeding horses: temperament comes first
According to Anna, breeding is partly science and partly a “game of chance.” Bloodlines, conformation, and ability can be analyzed, but the final result always remains in nature’s hands. One key takeaway: temperament and rideability often matter more than an impressive pedigree—especially for youth and amateur horses, where calmness, bravery, mental stability, and comfortable movement are essential.
She also emphasizes the importance of proper care from the very first days: socialization, hoof care, deworming, vitamins, and regular movement on pasture. Later, who you trust with the horse’s backing and first competitions becomes crucial—negative early experiences can leave long-lasting marks.
What can you take from this?
This story shows that the horse world is far more than competition moments—it is daily routine, physical work, and decisions that shape a horse’s future. That is why projects like VIP Rider Academy often emphasize strong foundations: safe, correct training and a deep understanding of horse welfare. Whether your goal is sport, hobby riding, or breeding, solid basics always win.
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