European Champion and Vice German Champion 2017 with Team Norka, Vice European Champion and German Champion 2017 together with Theresa-Sophie Bresch: Torben Jacobs has been more than successful this season! Keep on reading and train like Torben!
About Torben
Age: 25
Occupation/Education: Student (Medicine)
Nationality: German
Horse(s): Danny Boy (Team) Picardo (Pas de Deux) Holiday on Ice (Reserve horse)
Lunger: Alexandra Knauf, Patric Looser
Achievements in Vaulting:
European Champion Team 2017
European Champion Pas de Deux 2011
Vice European Champion Pas de Deux 2015 and 2017
Vice World Champion 2014
German Champion Team 2016
German Champion Pas de Deux 2014-2017
Started vaulting at the age of: 10
I couldn’t live without: Ice tea and vaulting – cause it’s a part of my life!
I could perfectly live without: Mustard – I hate it 😀
Motto: No pain, no gain
1. We know you are studying medicine, how is it going? How do you manage training and competitions with your studies?
My studies are going well. The goal is to be finished by the end of next year.
Of course, it is always hard to get training, competitions and studying to fit in the day. Up to now it has worked out quite well. At some point you have to cut back and set priorities in certain phases of the season. After the important competitions, my studies are becoming more and more important. Luckily, I have a super team (in the club and at home) around me who support me and my course of studies. This works really well and wouldn’t without this support.
2. How are you doing at the moment with your trainings?
At the moment I am not training. The most important competitions for the season are behind me.
My main focus at the moment is regeneration and in the coming weeks the winter training starts: collecting freestyle ideas, selecting themes and music and working on compulsories.
3. What are your goals for this season (for yourself and for the team)?
The goal for this season was clearly to qualify for the European Championship, which I achieved with both the team and the Pas de Deux. Of course, a medal was also the goal and I was able to achieve gold with the team and silver with the Pas de Deux. So it was a very successful season, in which I achieved all my goals. The big goal for the next season is to get qualified for the World Equestrian Games in Tryon.
4. What is ALWAYS in your training bag, as a vaulter and as a coach?
Beside my vaulting shoes and shin pads I actually always have tape in my bag. And most of the time also my UE boom (music box).
5. You go to Equitana every year. How do you prepare to make it fun and creative?
Fun is the secret. You always need to think of a cool show idea that is fun and you feel comfortable with. The difference to competition is that you can interact directly with the audience. You can animate your performance and get direct feedback like cheering and applause. Thats where the joy lies! An easygoing atmosphere behind the scenes helps of course. With us it is usually fun and relaxed – simply a super team – and this is the best preparation.
6. What vaulting shoes do you prefer and why?
I use the Bleyer brand vaulting shoes – the Nadia model.
I think the shoes just have a super fit and the best grip on the horse. I’ve tried out several models, but with these I feel most comfortable.
7. Some vaulters use different surcingles for compulsories and freestyle, do you? If yes, why?
Yes, I currently use three different surcingles. In the team, we use the “Peter” surcingle for compulsories. The boys prefer these. They make it very easy for mount and the swing exercises.
For the freestyle we use the S-surcingle from Erwin Schütte. Thanks to its shape, this surcingle is particularly suitable for the standing exercises as well as for individual exercises. In the Pas de Deux, I have been using a surcingle from the saddle-making shop Meinecke (Boe model). Theresa and I have changed to this surcingle at the beginning of the season. We were given the opportunity to test it out. It’s going well with the new surcingle and it has even simplified some exercises. Thanks again to the saddlery Meinecke, who provided us this surcingle as well as the barrel handles!
8. Can you tell us more about Norka, your new sponsor: What is Norka, why they are willing to support vaulting, and how they help you more precisely?
Norka is „ Norddeutsche Kunststoff- und Elektrogesellschaft Stäcker – Lichttechnische Spezialfabrik“. The company produces lighting equipment. Norka has already been a big supporter of vaulting, e.g. the Norka Trophy as part of CVIO Verden 2015.
This contact was made by Fritz Prommersberger who, together with the owner Martin Stäcker and our team coach Patric Looser, developed this sponsoring concept.
Martin Stäcker supports us financially for purchases of competition clothing, jerseys, etc. But it is particularly important that Martin and Fritz are part of our Team Norka. We all know each other personally and are always in touch. I am very glad that we have created such a good working partnership, this is very unique in vaulting.
9. Can you list the main products you compete with?
– Main surcingle: ES Vario (S handles), Meinecke (Boe model)
– Pad: Felt Pro Pad
– Shoes: Bleyer (Nadia Zülow)
10. If you had to invent a new product for the vaulting community, what would you create?
Oh, this is really a difficult question. In vaulting, a lot of new products have been introduced to the market in the last few years – surcingles, pads, shoes. In recent years, I have always tried painting and spraying leotards. An optimal color is not available at the moment! Maybe that would be something?
11. Any surprise/announcement for us?
Nothing until now! Let yourself be surprised by what the new season brings.
