Champions of Kazakhstan
Prizewinners of international tournaments
Active athletes and coaches<\/p>\n
How did you get into the sport, and what helped you reach a professional level?<\/strong><\/p>\n Raisa: It all started in childhood. Becoming a professional requires more than just technique \u2014 it’s about deeply understanding the horse. There were injuries, plateaus, but all of it is part of the journey. How do you prepare for competitions? Any special rituals?<\/strong><\/p>\n Raisa: Preparation starts long before the tournament \u2014 both physical and psychological, for the rider and the horse. How do you deal with pressure at competitions?<\/strong><\/p>\n Raisa: Pressure is part of competing. You just have to be ready for it. What matters most to you in competitions and working with horses?<\/strong><\/p>\n Raisa: Every achievement is special. A horse isn\u2019t just equipment \u2014 it\u2019s a partner. Each one needs an individual approach. You have to listen and understand them. How did you two meet?<\/strong><\/p>\n Raisa: We met at a competition. Our shared love for horses brought us together. How do you maintain balance between family and sport?<\/strong><\/p>\n Raisa: It\u2019s very important, especially when the sport demands full dedication. What keeps me going are the horses, the drive to grow, emotions, and the support of the team. Thank you for the interview!<\/strong>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Oleg and Raisa Sokolenko are a sports couple united by their love and dedication to equestrian sport. Their journey is a story of strong partnership, passion for what they do, and a unique bond with horses that continues to inspire them toward new achievements. Champions of KazakhstanPrizewinners of international tournamentsActive athletes and coaches How did …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":411,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-410","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n
Oleg: I tried kokpar, endurance, and trick riding, but show jumping turned out to be closest to me. It\u2019s about precision, reaction, and technique. Challenges have always been there \u2014 they\u2019re part of the sport.<\/p>\n
Oleg: We don\u2019t really have rituals, but all the gear must be spotless. We prepare our horses all year round.<\/p>\n
Oleg: I feel a bit nervous during warm-up, but once I enter the course \u2014 full focus. The pressure disappears.<\/p>\n
Oleg: Every competition is important and brings something new. We have many talented young horses. The key is not to stand in their way.<\/p>\n
Oleg: It was at a tournament in Almaty.<\/p>\n
Oleg: We clearly separate personal life from professional life. I\u2019ve been in sport for 13 years. My goal is the Olympic Games \u2014 that\u2019s what motivates me.<\/p>\n