Johan Zagers at Sunbury Lodge
 22 - 26th January 2005
Story and Pictures by Berni Saunders
About Johan and the Clinic - Page 1

For a relatively small group of Victorian Dressage enthusiasts early
2005 was to be a special time when the Dusseldorf based, Belgium born trainer Johan Zagers was to make his 9th trip to Sunbury Lodge in  Kyneton.   The quietly spoken 45 year old, does not say a lot - he does  not have to - for his few words are 'pearls of wisdom' and the lessons within inspire and help his Australian students who have  recorded much improved competition results after their times with Johan.

The charming stone residence at Sunbury Lodge

Mirrors all round at the Subury Lodge arena.

 Anne Smith has been hosting Johan's clinics at her beautiful and well
appointed riding centre Sunbury Lodge and now 5 years on, Johan has a  waiting list of as many riders as the ones who have been fortunate  enough to secure a spot in his 'dawn to dusk' sessions.

Johan runs his own yard with 40 stables in the heart International
 Dressage - Dusseldorf, Germany. He has about the same number of horses  in work, ranging in education and right through all of the grades  including 4 competitive Grand Prix horses. Johan himself is a
 competitive rider with many wins at top level to his credit. In 2004
 he  was ranked No. 44 in the world.   Johan has a number of working pupils who are studying to become qualified "Bereiters" (the first level of the German Qualification for  professional riders) Johan took the time to tell me something of his story and I came away  uniquely gifted instructor with a very transparent desire to help each  and every rider with some way or ways of approaching their everyday  training, which will give them improvements in the basic things which always translates into better competition performances.

I asked Johan how he came choose a career as a professional riding instructor and he explained that he has ridden horses all of his life and became  interested in competitive dressage as a teenager and had professional  rides at the age if 15.  He did not give much consideration to a career with horses at this stage in his life and proceeded with his University studies.  When he Graduated, gaining his Philosophy Degree he went into  teaching and followed this path  for 3 years. At this time, Johan considered that horses and riding were not a 'career'  they were a 'passion' and he had never considered changing the mix.

He recalls an event which was to change the direction of his life .....
"At 22 years of age, I was involved in a serious car accident which
 meant that I underwent  1 ½ years of hospitalisation and convalescence. My incapacity  changed my attitude and I realised that I wanted to ride and make horses my life".   Developing  my
 skills and knowledge became the most important things and I knew
that I wanted a career with horses."

"As my health and strength improved, I made plans to go to Europe to
 pursue a career as a professional rider, trainer and instructor. I went to fellow Belgium Jan Nivelle, who had trained with the well respected
 Jan Bemelmans ( who now is the trainer of the Spanish Dressage Team who,  have made their mark as the up and coming nation in the sport). I spent  6 years with Jan Nivelle and then another year with Klaus Balkenhol.   During this time I rode and trained horses and sat for two lots of  exams, achieving results of over 80% in all three aspects - Theory,  Jumping and Dressage. This achievement is highly respected and  referred to as 'Stensbeck'. This achievement has opened many doors and  has helped me to establish myself in the most competitive part of the world for a rider/instructor. I have been very fortunate that my  career  has taken the path that I planned for my future.

 Some notable achievements have been:
 Personal Riding ...
 - "Golden Medonille" for Sport Results for both Medium and S Class
    with  5 different horses.
- Belgium Champion in 2003 with 2 Grand Prix horses
- Competed at the European Championships in 2003 at Hickstead.
 - International and National Grand Prix wins resulting in a
   BCM World Ranking of 44 in 2004.
 Training Riders ...
 - Renoir-Unicef and A.K Linsenhoff, Team Gold Jerez 2002

Renoir Unicef and Anne-Kathryn at Jerez in 2002  Picture: Berni Saunders.

 - Mio d'Bangy  A. Gilling-Landy   Rheinische Championships 2003
Training Horses ...
 - Mister Saigon - ridden by Johan.   Belgium Champion 2003
- Lysander - ridden by Johan.   Intermediate in 2004
 Training Students ...
 Johan has had his own yard since 1994 and has achieved his goal to
 become a professional 'sports rider' with the qualifications and
 experience to train others. There are three other Grand Prix riders
 working at the Zagers stables.

The training philosophy is along the established and conventional German classical training scale. They   have  3 and 4 year olds beginning their training right through to 4 horses  who  are working at or about to start at Grand Prix level.

Johan trains young people undergoing their "Bereiter" course and other  riders who are not taking exams but wanting to learn the riding
 component of the course. Johan proudly said that one of his students - Martin Pfeiffer - was the Champion Student Rider in Germany.

Johan's Australian Objectives ...  Johan says ... "The system in Germany is almost 100 years old, it was  started in 1912 and in the early days mostly addressed the training of  cavalry horses. In Australia, time is needed to develop a National  system and for you learn how to build up young horses so that they are  properly trained and prepared for competitions at International level."

" My schedule is getting more organised, and I have some very good
 people to help me. It is difficult to come to Australia in our competition season - but I will try to be coming twice a year to help
 the riders with their horses. I can see the improvement in the riders
 and the horses that I have been working with - of course it is not
 possible to help them on a day to day basis, but I can help them to
 understand our system a little better and this is helping them to see a
 similar system evolve in Australia.

" I love Australia and always enjoy to come here. I do not enjoy the
 plane trip, and if it were not for the 24 hours in a plane - I would be
here more often - particularly in the German winter."   I have been fortunate enough to attend a number of Johan's clinics over  the years - on several different horses - and know that after each  clinic I went home with a refreshed approach and some new ideas which  gave me positive benefits and higher marks. Johan never makes the
 riders  feel inadequate or silly, and yet gets to the root of the basic
 problems  - if only he were 30 minutes away - Johan could enjoy more of Australia  and Australia could enjoy some more of Johan's fantastic advice.

Anne Smith and Johan Jagers

Ross Smith - the perfect host

Views out over the paddocks from the balcony of the indoor school

I am sure that I would not be alone in passing on a huge thank-you to
 Anne and Ross Smith who extend their generous hospitality to all riders  who attend Johan's clinics. Sunbury Lodge is a joy with creature  comforts, a beautifully appointed indoor arena with mirrors on 3 1/2 sides. Sometimes this does not tell the story the riders want to see,  but it always helps to see what the instructor is trying to get
 across -  I hope to be back in action for Johan's clinic later in 2005.

Go to Page 2 - pictures of the riders

© Cyberhorse 2005 Berni Saunders