Name: Kirsten Schoonbaert

Date of birth: 16/03/1993

Residence: Opwijk, Belgium

– What do you love about sports with dogs?

You are never alone to go exercise, you always have compagnie. The dogs have made me want to exercise and run again. You also achieve your goals together and not alone. It’s a team sport, but with your faithful four-legged friends. There is nothing better than that.

– What breed of dog(s) do you have and what is/are their name(s)?

I have four dogs and these are all greysters. Nike (9) is the oldest and the best climber, he has dragged me up many TDMs. Because of him I fell in love with the breed. Then came my first greyster female, Indra (6). That was love at first sight. I was at the birth and from the first moment I had chosen (even though I wasn’t going to take a puppy 😉 ) From an early age the head was right and she didn’t want to do anything but walk. My third doggie is Vitess (2). She comes from Meno and Doti. I had always said if someone breeds with Mengo I will take a puppy. And so I did 😀 A little dog who loves swimming, biking, walking and her tennis ball. Last to join us was Seven (4). He is a male dog with a lot of potential but still has a lot to learn. He likes to walk more and more, but stress sometimes plays tricks on him.

– What sports do you play?

Canicross, bike-joring, DS 1 or 2 and to prepare myself for the championships a little athletics. I also have skating rats at home to do skijoring with the dogs, but unfortunately there is not often enough snow in Belgium. Beyond that, horseback riding is another passion of mine.

– How long have you been active in this sport(s)?

I started canicrosing at the end of 2003. So already 17 years. Bike and Scooter I have not been doing for very long, about from 2013.

– Which part do you prefer and why?

I think I still prefer canicross, especially in the mountains. I have always done running since I was little and this is the closest to it. I also like to do trails, which is closer to the TDM. I love how you can achieve top times with the help of your best buddy. I could never run that fast on my own. You are also attuned to each other and that also makes it fun. DS1 I’m starting to really like it too, but I need to gain a little more confidence for that. Going through corners at those high speeds is not my strong suit.

– What are your goals for the future in this sport(s)?

First and foremost having fun together with the doggies and doing the sport as well as possible. If we really look at the sport, where I want to be good together with the doggies then my biggest goal is always the Trophée des Montagnes. Some may wonder why with all those mountains. But walking together with the dogs in the mountains is what I like best. It really is 10 days of suffering and a lot can happen in those 10 days. The other goals are also important, like the European Championships and the World Championships. You live towards those anyway.

– What is your greatest sports moment to date?

To choose one is already not so easy. There have been many great moments. Like my first European title and world title with my first dog. But also the three final victories of the TDM, with different dogs each time, do something to me. If I have to choose one it might be the 2019 TDM. We were always nicely in the lead, but then lost 5min. In the end, Indra still managed to make up these 5min with me and we won the TDM by 2sec.

– What is the funniest or least funny sports moment to date?

Perhaps the funniest sports moment was at the European Championships in Scotland in 2015. The grassy hill after the start was so slippery that at the group start I just slid down on my butt and passed the others anyway. Indra didn’t even realize I had fallen.

– Can you give one tip to other canicrossers/steppers/bikers/sled dog mushers

What is best to do/don’t do in these sport(s)?

Always try to have fun with your dogs. They also sense your stress so the more nerves you have the more your dog might hesitate. Your dogs come first in this sport so they deserve a lot of love from their owners.

– What is your favorite Fastdog product for your dog(s)?

The power bonbons! My dogs love them! Perfect snack after training or competition. I also like the hydration power. They love to drink it and it gives them moisture and energy!