Edited by Claartje van Andel dressagedirect

Isabell Werth stars on the Dressage Radio Show

Isabell Werth is the featured guest on the Dressage Radio Show this week as she joins Chris Stafford for an exclusive interview. With just a few short weeks to go before the birth of her first child, Isabell shares with the Dressage Radio Show how she has spent her pregnancy and what she is expecting next month. “It’s gonna be a boy!”, she revealed to the Dressage Radio Show.

Isabell Werth reveals: it will be a boy! Picture Jacques Toffi www.arnd.nl

Isabell also speaks candidly about her current suspension, the recent record-breaking performances in the sport of Edward Gal and Adelinde Cornelissen, which rides she has tremendously enjoyed, and also offers her predictions for the World Equestrian Games in 2010. She feels she will part of top dressage again in the near future.
Isabell has won no less than eight Olympic medals, seven World Championship medals and fourteen European Championship medals in addition to being German National Champion eight times.  Her current partner Satchmo she still enjoys riding, the ride to Warum Nicht is left to a stable mate.
“With all the recent publicity about Isabell being sidelined, it was most gracious of her to spend time with us and share her perspective,” said Chris Stafford, Dressage Radio Show Host. “I’m delighted that she took this opportunity to talk to our audience around the world, many of whom are fans of Isabell and will be eager to know how she is at this time.”
The interview with Isabell will be broadcast, and permanently archived, on the Dressage Radio Show website.
Listeners can catch new shows each Thursday at www.dressageradio.com

Update Global Dressage Forum: new format clinic Steffen Peters

The most successful dressage rider of 2009, Steffen Peters from the USA, will present his skills in a totally different format, during the Global Dressage Forum, on 26-27 October 2009 in Hooge Mierde. In earlier clinics riders and trainers always presented their skills with their own horses and pupils. Peters will now ride horses, completely unknown to him, and train riders whom he has never seen before. In two clinics, on Monday evening 26 and Tuesday morning 27 October, the international audience of the Global Forum will get a complete inside view on the 2009 World Cup Champion.
In dressage it is very difficult to analyse performances of horse-rider combinations. Is it the skill of the rider and trainer or is it the natural brilliance of their horses, that makes the end result? To analyse the skill of the rider and trainer, by observing him with riders and horses unknown to him, is a rare opportunity.

Steffen Peters aboard Ravel in Las Vegas Picture Bob Tarr

Steffen Peters has been very willing to meet the invitation of the program committee of the Global Dressage Forum to come, explain, teach and ride. He will start with an interview by international rider Richard Davison and then train some Grand Prix riders. He will also train some younger riders and ride one or two horses. 
An interactive forum is guaranteed by having Panel sessions and a Question Corner where participants can give there opinion and ask questions.
No ticket yet? There are still some places left. Find your information at www.globaldressageforum.com

Visitors of the Global Dressage Forum now also have a limited chance to receive a discount on the price for the unique sale Equine Elite held Saturday October 24th. Find more at www.equineelite.nl

Johan Bredberg ending as CEO of Flyinge

Flyinge AB's Managing Director Johan Bredberg leaves his employment with immediate effect 28 / 9 . 2009 Until a new CEO is recruited, activities will be led by breeding manager
Karl-Henrik Heimdahl and administrative director Ulla Ek, together with the management team.
Changing market conditions and prevailing economic downturn has significantly changed the conditions for Flyinge´s business, both for breeding activities, horse production and horse sales.
Flyinge AB face the challenge of speeding up the adjustment of business to the new realities of the marketplace.

Read more soon here and in the new dressagedirect PLUS Swedish newsletter

Davison honoured with HOYS Equestrian of the Year Award

Richard Davison’s dedication and commitment to dressage was recognised at the Horse of the Year Show on Friday 9th October 2009 when he was presented with the HOYS Equestrian of the Year Award 2009. The award celebrates the considerable success he has achieved in his career to date.
An Olympian and European silver medallist in his own right, this year Davison led the triumphant GB dressage squad to team silver and an individual bronze medal at the European Championships in Windsor in his role as Team Captain. He has juggled this with a successful international competition schedule of his own, achieving five grand prix wins in succession with his new international prospect, the Countess of Derby’s Hiscox Artemis.
The award was presented in the main arena after Davison had hosted a mini master class alongside respected international judge and rider Judy Harvey and riders Amy Stovold and Kate Attlee.
Previous winners of the prestigious Equestrian of the Year title include Paul Nichols, Pippa Funnell, Zara Phillips, Jeff Osborne and Leslie Law.
“It was a complete shock on the night but I’m thrilled” Davison commented “It’s been a phenomenal year for British dressage and I’m very proud to have been part of such a strong Team GB. It’s an absolute honour to receive this accolade.”
Richard Davison receives his award from HOYS Managing Director Helena Pettit

(Source www.britishdressage.co.uk)

Robert Dover technical Coach/Advisor Dressage Canada

Dressage Canada is pleased to announce that six-time Olympian Robert Dover has been named as Dressage Canada Technical/Coach Advisor for Dressage Canada’s high performance program.
“We are thrilled that Robert has accepted this position and are confident that his experience and enthusiasm will be invaluable to dressage in Canada,” said Victoria Winter, the chair of the Dressage Canada Own the Podium Task Force. “We look forward to having Robert work with our athletes, coaches, owners and volunteers to put together a successful high performance plan for the future.”
With three decades of international competition experience, six Olympic Games, four World Championships and seven World Cup Final appearances, Dover has amassed four Olympic bronze medals and over 100 Grand Prix victories. In addition, he has coached some of the world’s best dressage riders to top international results.
“Robert comes to us with a truly stellar background as a world-class equestrian athlete, coach and trainer. More importantly still, he brings to Equine Canada a rare force of will: he is clearly determined to see our dressage team bestride the competitive world like a colossus, and he has the infectious energy and optimism necessary to turn that ambition into a reality,” said Equine Canada CEO, Akaash Maharaj. “Robert will be able to command the respect of the Canadian dressage community and foster a sense of teamwork across the sector, and I very much look forward welcoming him to our staff.”

Robert Dover Picture Bruce Webber

Dover’s position will begin with the Dressage Canada 2009 European Fall Competition Tour, an Own the Podium funded program aimed at providing European competition experience for some of Canada’s up and coming combinations. The participating athletes — Cheryl Meisner of Blandford, NS, with Paganini; Belinda Trussell of Stouffville, ON, with Anton; and Diane Creech of Caistor Centre, ON, with Wiona — are currently in Europe preparing for competition.
Robert Dover explains at his own website that his first trip will be to the Coaching Symposium in Vancouver, British Columbia, on October 22nd-24th where he also hopes to get better acquainted with the west coast riders and their horses, as well as their personal coaches and trainers. His second trip will be November 11th-15th to Toronto, Ontario, for the fabulous Royal Winter Fair. “This will be a week of meetings with the “Own The Podium” Task Force on thr 11th, an Athlete Meeting on the 12th, and Dressage Committee Board meetings on the 12th. But I will also be very intent on watching Canada’s riders competing in the CDI Grand Prix and Freestyle and helping in any way I can to support them and their trainers”, Dover explains. “Let me tell you, I have 30 years of stored up plans, strategies, and thoughts and truly hope to bring every bit of my experience to the table to assure the brightest possible future for Canada!”

Read more views, experiences and goals of Robert Dover at his own website at  doversworld.com
News from Dressage Canada can be found at www.dressagacanada.org

Australian titles in the 2009 Grand Final of Dressage

The dates of 29 October to 1 November 2009 are coming closer. The State of Origin is not just for footy players – Dressage has its own Grand Final at the Horseland Australian Dressage Championships when the rivalry between Queensland, NSW and Victoria reaches its peak and fans are at their most vocal. This year, throw into the mix the Western Australian, South Australian and Tasmanian riders, who haven’t made the longest haul for nothing!
It’s the Best of the Best, the Australian Dressage Crown up for grabs and no footy field can offer the power and the glory of a Grand Prix horse going for a winning goal!
The Australian titles will feature top horses and riders from across Australia competing in dressage tests from Novice through to FEI Grand Prix (International Level).
30 horses will compete in the Hamilton Island Grand Prix – including three Olympians; Mary Hanna (Tango V); Rachael Sanna (Jaybee Alabaster) and Beijing Olympian Heath Ryan (Regardez Moi). Brett Parbery riding Victory Salute will be looking to repeat their Grand Prix win at the recent NSW State Championships. Friday, 30 October is Grand Prix day, on Saturday, 31 October the Bates Grand Prix Freestyle to Music is the highlight of the evening programme. Sunday, 1 November features Novice and Advanced level competition along with the Australia Prix St Georges Challenge Final and the Grand Prix Special.
The Equestrian Centre is very picturesque with lots of trees and grassy areas to spread out a rug and have a picnic while watching Australia’s best horses and riders compete.
Tickets will be available at the entrance daily. Reserved seating tickets for Saturday can be purchased on line from the web site.

Brett Parbery riding Victory Salute will be looking to repeat their Grand Prix win at the recent NSW State Championships Picture Berni Saunders

Visit the website for details: www.dressagensw.com.au and follow the link on the home page to the Championships.
Also view the latest video here.

Educating clinics USEF starting soon

Steffen Peters first of all will visit the Global Dressage Forum in The Netherlands to explain and show his training methods. But immediately after the GDF October 26 and 27 he will travel to Gladstone to give a development clinic organised by the USEF High-Performance Dressage Committee. East and West Coast athletes currently on the 2009 USEF Dressage Long List for training and athletes on the USEF Developing Rider List will receive an invitation sent by the USEF Dressage Department. The purpose of these clinics is to educate, assist and promote both the riders and their trainers in order to further enhance their progress.
The clinics scheduled include:
October 30-31, 2009 - Steffen Peters
USET Foundation Headquarters - Gladstone, New Jersey
December 12-13, 2009 - Debbie McDonald
Linda and Michael Fowler’s Epona Farm in Thousand Oaks, CA
December 12-13, 2009 - Guenter Seidel
Mary Anne and Walter McPhail’s High Meadow Farm in Loxahatchee, FL

For further information, contact Jenny Van Wieren, USEF Assistant Director of Dressage at jvanwieren@usef.org Read more news at www.usef.org