Dressage Australia
Dressage Sub-Committee of the EFA National
News of 17th November, 2004
By Berni Saunders
Pictures from Athens 2004.

A few days ago I heard that the German Team Gold Medalist and Individual Silver Medalist from the Athens  Olympic Games - the inspiring ULLA SALZGEBER,  is coming to Australia in January 2005 ...  and may agree to become our National Coach.

Ulla left acknowledges her supporters at the Medal ceremony for Team Gold. Above - a delighted Ulla discusses her gold medal winning performance.

WOW !!! was my reaction.  The person who would be able to confirm this information is the hard working Chairperson of the EFA's National Dressage Sub-Committee, Deborah McNicol, so before saying anything which may lead  to misinformation,  I felt that it would be prudent to speak with Deb.  I have found the 'dressage grape vine" to be very speedy but not always accurate when it comes to disseminating information.

Ulla and Rusty show their skill in this perfectly balanced
 canter pirouette which scored 9 from some of the judges

Deb confirmed that plans had been made for Ulla to come and give three clinics in Australia.  One in Victoria, NSW and Queensland.  From there she will assess the horses and riders and we are hopeful that she may agree to visit on a more regular basis and will perhaps become our National coach.

I  had a number of conversations with Deb leading up to and following the Olympic Games and she has told me that all avenues are being considered to help our horses and riders to develop - she agreed that we needed a system and regular training to give us some focus and hopefully will also include the areas of sports psychology, personal fitness and related subjects along with the special considerations that are part of preparing for International competition.

I had the pleasure of watching Ulla in her training session on the 24th August (the day between the Special and the Kür).  Ulla demonstrated such focus, determination  and skill, there was ... after-all a GOLD medal at stake!  At this point in the competition Ulla was approximately half a percent ahead of Anky and Salinero.  After the Grand Prix Qualifier Ulla and Rusty led the competition by 4% and seemed to have the 'gold' safely in their clutches.

Ulla and Rusty have their final training session before the Gold medal
 decider, she proves ... When the going gets tough - the  tough get
 going ...  Ulla rode for every mark and came very, very close to Gold.

As the medal standings would have it, Anky had the edge on final day.  Everyone who watched the competition felt uncertain about the result, right up until the announcement.

Ulla rode a wonderful Kur to the rousing Carmina Burana theme which was especially designed for Rusty and has become their signature tune.  In the 'press conference' that followed the medal presentation, some of the press posed, that the judges may have tired of Ulla's music ???  Vincenzo Truppa spoke for his fellow judges and said that the music was like good wine - one never tired of it.  It suits the horse so well and I found today's performance different to the last time I saw them perform.

I am delighted to be able to share some of my special pictures of Ulla with you ...  I trust that Ulla will enjoy spending time with us as much as we will enjoy having her here in Australia. She is an undisputed star of the sport and has enjoyed some wonderful achievements with Rusty.

Well done Debbie and the Dressage Australia admin team (I think this is Debbie and Debbie) we appreciate the opportunity to move forward in such an exciting way.

© Cyberhorse 2004 Berni Saunders