Anna-Lena Niehues, Grade IV

Anna-Lena Niehues’ day would have to be 36 hours long—and even then, there probably wouldn’t be enough time. The master equine trainer from Gronau in Westphalia runs a farm, trains horses, is the mother of a young daughter, and, on top of all that, competes for Germany in para-dressage.

“I know, it’s always hard to get in touch with me,” says the 41-year-old apologetically. Things are especially busy at her Rüenberg farm during the summer break in North Rhine-Westphalia. She has over 40 horses on her property. Not only top-class horses like Vive L’Amour, her nine-year-old up-and-coming mare, with whom she hopes to build on her international successes, but also school horses that allow riders of all skill levels to get a feel for equestrian sports.

Just Lena

Anna-Lena Niehues is really just Lena. That’s what she’s called at home on the farm that her parents have built up over the years. Yet Lena’s parents actually work in completely different fields: her father is a civil engineer, and her mother is an architect. Horses have always played a role in the family. “I always say I learned to ride before I learned to walk. Even though my mom would probably disagree,” she laughs. Her grandmother first had a few horses of her own. The Niehues family lives near a recreational area, and there’s even a campground nearby. Parents would often come by from there wanting to show their kids the horses. “Things kind of got out of hand: We always had kids staying with us in the house, and they’d even sleep over. At times during the vacations, my family slept in the kitchen until my dad had had enough. He then started expanding the farm more and more.”

First, the attic above the stables; later, more and more, to establish a business centered on horseback riding. For Lena Niehues, this was definitely the foundation of her career: She became a professional rider and completed an apprenticeship to become a master of equine management. “We also breed horses and ponies—simply to ensure the quality we need for our operation,” says Niehues, and you can sense just how passionate she is about her profession. The Rüenberg Riding Center also offers training programs, something that’s very important to Niehues. She herself competes in show jumping and dressage up to the M level, but would like to achieve even more.

The moment that changed everything

In 2006, however, Lena Niehues received a diagnosis she hadn’t expected: a tumor was discovered in her cervical spine. It was an incidental finding that was initially to be monitored regularly. Removing it wouldn’t be simple, after all, and they didn’t want to take any risks. “From then on, I went to doctors for checkups, but honestly: for years, the thing didn’t change,” she says. She let the checkups slide, and it wasn’t until 2016 that she had her next one. That check-up took place at Essen University Hospital: The tumor had grown, and surgery was strongly recommended to prevent it from pressing on the spinal cord. At that time, Niehues had just started dating her partner, Timo. “That wasn’t easy for him, because a few months later I was in the operating room.”

When she wakes up, her right side is paralyzed. But she can breathe—a huge relief. The next shock, however, comes a few days later: Lena Niehues develops meningitis, and another surgery becomes necessary. “It was anything but easy in the hospital—I have to say that,” Niehues says. “But I’m very stubborn, and that was good for my rehab.”

She has three weeks to learn to use her body in a new way. She wants to walk to every therapy session on her own—an enormous effort, but she’s trying. Because one goal is clear: she wants to get back on a horse. Even though parts of her right side will remain numb, and she still can’t lift her right foot very well.

Back in the Saddle

In 2018, she competed in her first tournament since her surgery, starting cautiously in lower classes and later returning to M-level dressage. “But I realized I wasn’t quite keeping up. A friend suggested that para-sport might be something for me. I wanted to give it a try.” However, it took quite a while before she received the required sports health certificate.

Niehues eventually rode for Rolf Grebe, the assistant national coach responsible for young para-riders. That was in 2022. Her horses at the time were also evaluated. Initially, there were doubts about whether Quimbaya had enough potential for an international career. That’s when Niehues’ ambition was reignited. She was spontaneously nominated for the German Championships, which were still being held in Munich at the time. With a full-time job at her own farm, this was a challenge, as everything had to be organized. It was a grueling trip, but one that would prove worthwhile: Niehues became the German champion in Grade IV, even beating serial winner Hanne Brenner. On Quimbaya, by the way—the horse she would later ride to Paralympic silver and bronze in Paris.

“She was a truly challenging horse for me, with great qualities. But I’d like to take things even further,” said Niehues. When Quimbaya turned twelve, the Gronau native sold the mare. She hopes to achieve her next successes with Vicky. Vicky—whose real name is Vive L’Amour—is a classic Westphian. She didn’t come to Niehues until 2025, originally intended as a training horse. But Niehues realized there was more to Vicky and, together with her husband Timo (whom she had married long before), became the horse’s owner. National team coach Silke Fütterer-Sommer was also thrilled with the chestnut mare during her first training session, even though she was still very young and very inexperienced.

Lena Niehues stays on track, ambitious as always, with the expertise needed to train young horses. The first year—still a challenge. But by 2026, at the German Championships and in international competitions, it’s like night and day. The chestnut mare is improving in quality and earning Lena a spot on the team for the World Championships in Aachen.

“She definitely still needs some support and guidance,” says Niehues. “But she’s an absolutely adorable horse, and I’m really happy with how well things are going between us now.” She says this and walks away. Because besides Vicky, there’s also Nelly, her three-year-old daughter.

Niehues’ day still doesn’t have 36 hours. But there will always be time for family. And there will certainly still be time for more successes in the para-dressage arena.