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Rider Anna Siegmann (19) lasted six months. She then resorted to alcohol. The U21 national team athlete drank in secret. When she was drunk, she could be herself for a short time. For months, the woman from Thurgau wore a kind of mask at the riding school. “I was laughing on the outside, but crying on the inside.”
The acting performance is closely related to her experiences in professional equestrian sports. On New Year’s Eve 2021, Siegmann had the opportunity to ride Paul Bücheler’s top horses. The man from Eastern Switzerland has been an active stable owner for over 40 years. Thanks to his talented horses, he enjoys a great international reputation.
After a year, Siegmann left the farm in Romanshorn TG – with health problems. “I no longer recognized myself.”
Every franc goes to equestrian sports
Several months have passed since then. Siegmann is sitting at the dining table in his parents’ house in Salmsach TG. As always by her side: mother Martina Siegmann (49). The Siegmanns are among the exotics in equestrian sports. While the competition travels to the tournaments in huge trucks and drivers, they drive around in jeeps and trailers.
‘We can’t afford more. I invest every franc in equestrian sports,” explains mother Martina, who is also a passionate rider herself. She earns her money by running a daycare center for dogs.
Explosive money suspicion
Due to the financial disadvantage, Anna Siegmann learned the unpleasant side of the horse business. Between the ages of fourteen and fifteen she was promised participation in major tournaments. In most cases, another rider was eventually given preference.
Siegmann thinks he knows what’s behind it. ‘You paid more. Especially among the juniors, it is not the quality of the rider that is decisive, but often the number in the bank account.” For Cornelia Notz (54), responsible for young talent in Swiss show jumping, it is clear: “Equestrian sport is expensive and is becoming increasingly expensive. If you come from a rich family, it is less difficult.”
She gives an example: “A young rider with ambitions to participate in European Championships and Nations Cups needs a horse that can jump at least 1.50 meters. They cost a few hundred thousand francs.”
A huge change
Siegmann often struggled with her fate and felt that she was being treated unfairly. At the same time, she used the setbacks as motivation. “I want to prove that things can be done differently!” She was given a unique opportunity for this on New Year’s Eve 2021. Her farrier, who has supported her since her first attempts at horse riding, brought her into contact with horse millionaire Paul Bücheler.
At the first meeting, Siegmann left a convincing impression. Bücheler was so enthusiastic that he sent her to the tournaments with his top horses. It was a huge change for Siegmann, as she rode less talented animals for cost reasons. “It felt like you were flying.”
Training anxiety and sleepless nights
The euphoria disappeared after about two months. Siegmann began to feel uneasy on the farm. Bücheler’s treatment took its toll on her. «He criticized me constantly. One day I didn’t do enough with the horses, the next day too much.” The farm is under video surveillance. There are also cameras in the riding school or grooming area. What Siegmann didn’t know about other farms. “The thought that an accusation could come around at any moment was very stressful.”
The fear of making the next mistake robbed her of sleep. “I rarely slept through the night during this period.” The joint training sessions were especially stressful. She was afraid of it the day before. The riders saw Bücheler’s house from the training area.
“The worst moment was always when he ran towards us.” A moment of uncertainty. How is he today? “Either he laughs at you, or he destroys you.” Sometimes Siegmann took her mother with her. “That gave me certainty.”
Call shock on Sunday morning
She finds it difficult to talk about this time. She often looks to her mother for help. She adds, “Paul controlled her life.” One story in particular stuck with her.
It happened on a Sunday morning. The two had breakfast together. A mobile phone-free zone. After brunch, her daughter went to the stairs, looked at her phone and shouted, “Shit, Paul called!” She looked at her mother in panic and called back.
She apologized to Bücheler several times. “Then I realized how much power Paul has over my daughter.” From then on, she observed Anna’s behavior closely.
The cancer diagnosis changed everything
What she saw worried her. Your child has gained approximately six kilos within a few weeks. The stress led to uncontrolled actions. “I put everything into myself.” In the tight riding clothes, the weight gain was clear to everyone, including Bücheler.
One day he asked Siegmann if she had arrived. She said yes, after which he said in the first tone, “Make sure you lose the weight as soon as possible.” Siegmann stood on the edge. ‘I lost the joy of life. The desire to drive was gone.” During this time, she began drinking alcohol regularly. At the same time, her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
Too much for Anna Siegmann. The woman from Thurgau, who is quite reserved by nature, completely isolated herself. When her mother was in the room after chemotherapy, she walked past the open door without saying a word. “I was doing well, I did my thing,” says Siegmann, somewhat ashamed. Martina Siegmann takes a deep breath and then says: “Anna’s behavior was very painful.”
Lies for the big dream
During tournaments, Siegmann suddenly found it difficult to get up. She had to drag herself out of the truck. Knowing that from now on she would have to put on her fake smile again. In conversations with Bücheler’s acquaintances, she was delighted with the collaboration. “I’ve been playing something for them all day.”
The reason is simple. She depended on his good horses. “This was the only way I could realize my dream: becoming a professional cyclist.” Cornelia Notz is also aware of this dependence. “If a crisis arises in the collaboration with the horse owner, the pain threshold for a divorce is high. The riders have a very close bond with their horses and do not want to risk divorce or their career as a rider.”
Siegmann’s story gives Notz food for thought. She has known the Thurgau resident for six years. “I am shocked. My riders are very important to me.” She addresses the people around the athletes: “Values such as respect and responsibility must be central.”
The long-awaited phone call
Siegmann is not alone in her experiences. Bücheler is considered a difficult character, as several driving insiders confirm to SonntagsBlick. In 2014, the collaboration between Swiss grandmaster Beat Mändli (54) and Bücheler ended unpleasantly.
His successor, the exceptional Irish talent Jessica Kürten (54), ended the collaboration after four months and voluntarily gave up several top horses.
This also applies to Siegmann. The decision to leave the farm came during a drive with a colleague last March. “I called my mother and told her I couldn’t do it anymore.” She knew her mother would always have her back. “Without their support, I would probably still be here today.” Martina Siegmann still remembers this moment very well. “It was a relief for me too.”
Eleven letters to complete
Back at the farm, Siegmann explained her decision to Paul Bücheler. Siegmann remembers the conversation in his office as follows:
Siegmann: “Paul, I can’t do it anymore.”
Bücheler: “And now?”
Siegmann: “I’m not coming anymore.”
Bücheler: “Good.”
Siegmann: “Thank you very much for everything.”
Then Siegmann turned and left the yard. Forever. “Leaving the horses was by far the hardest part.” When asked by Blick, Bücheler rejects all accusations. He does not want to elaborate further on the questions he is asked.
‘Father figure’ turns away
But the horses weren’t the only thing Siegmann lost. Her long-time trainer, a former top competitor, distanced herself from her. In conversations she calls him a ‘father figure’ several times. Background: Siegmann grew up largely without her biological father. He left the family at a young age.
“I owe him a lot.” Her voice sounds cracked, her eyes water when she talks about him. She keeps looking at her mother. Her ex-coach was already her trainer when she accepted Bücheler’s offer.
Running to the toilet crying
Her relationship with him was so good that she called him before confronting Bücheler with her decision. “I made everything dependent on him.” He supported her decision.
During that conversation, Siegmann also asked him if he wanted to remain her coach. The answer was clear: “Yes.” To this day, the two have never trained together again. “That worries me every day. It’s brutally difficult and hard to accept. When I was at a tournament and saw him, I immediately cried.”
Feeling ashamed, she ran to the toilet and hid. Every now and then she couldn’t avoid the conversation. “He acted as if nothing had happened.” Siegmann is shocked. Her ex-coach does not want to comment on this, he explained to Blick on the phone.
A mess in the room
Once again Siegmann was on the edge. “I didn’t know what to do next.” Everything was gone. “My father figure and the best horses that could have made my dream of professional riding possible.” Without the riding lessons, she had a lot of free time besides the sports club. “The room looked like a garbage dump,” her mother said. After a few months her patience broke. “It can get loud at times.” The two desperately searched for a solution.
In Austria they found what they were looking for. Anna Siegmann was allowed to move and care for a family’s horses. “They trusted me and were grateful. I have hardly felt that for over a year.” In the neighboring country, driving pleasure returned.
Leo gives her new energy
Nevertheless, Siegmann is currently undergoing energy therapy. She wants to process what happened using conversations and other methods. She is now clear again about what she wants to do in the future: “I want to drive, and at the top of the world.” She says about her time at Bücheler: “It was a school of life. I don’t regret anything. Thanks to his top horses, I was able to gain experience at a very high level.”
For a few weeks now, Siegmann has been riding an eight-year-old horse from a new horse owner who trusts her. The animal is called Lion. “It gives me perspective again.” She drives half an hour to his stable every day. She wants to travel with him to his first tournaments soon. The jeep is waiting in front of the house.
And her mother? “I’m feeling better and better,” she says. But the fight against breast cancer will keep the duo busy for a while.
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
