Training methods are a ‘hot item’ in international dressage. During the 2007 Global Dressage Forum, which is the annual discussion platform in the equestrian world, trainers and scientists are meeting to discuss recent developments.
One of the trainers, presented in this year’s Forum, is Jan Bemelmans. He has been a successful international rider, and is now national trainer of the Spanish team.
Bemelmans says: ‘In Germany we have the classical training scale, and we always work on that scale, but in the end there are many ways to Rome, and it doesn’t always go directly to Rome. You can have problems, you can have a nervous horse, there are many possible problems, then you have to find out the right way to come to the end with that horse. We should be flexible. I don’t think some training methods are acceptable, and some are not, we should be critical on welfare in any training method. We have our rules where we go step by step, but on the other side we cannot be like a policeman and say, ‘there is only one way!’
Bemelmans will bring two riders of the Spanish team, Jordi Domingo and Juan Manuel Munoz Diaz. Both will ride their young and relatively inexperienced Grand Prix horses: Prestige (by Ferro, 10 years old) and Fuergo XII (by Utrerano VII, 9 years old) who have competed in the European Championships in Turin. He will show what he means by ‘ flexibility’, as the two horses are completely different. One is a modern warm blood, bred in Holland. The second horse is a Spanish bred horse, an Andalusian. Bemelmans will present his clinic on the second day of the Global Dressage Forum.
Global Dressage Forum 2007
On 29-30 October 2007 the Global Dressage Forum will take place for the seventh time. Since 2001 the Global Dressage Forum is the leading debating platform for the international dressage world. Last years edition turned out to be one of the highlights of the dressage year and this year a lot of top trainers, riders, scientists, officials and serious dressage enthusiasts from around the globe will again meet in Hooge Mierde, the Netherlands. For the 2007 edition, the program committee has reserved a lot of time for discussions on actual developments in the sport. A forum of top trainers, riders, judges and journalists will evaluate every clinic. Constructive criticism and open debate will again be encouraged. Top trainers, judges and riders like Kyra Kyrklund, Margit Otto Crepin, world champion in jumping Franke Sloothaak, Monty Roberts, Richard Davison and trainers President David Hunt will join the debate.
There will be a ‘full house of horses’ at this years forum. During the practical session of Jean Bemelmans, the German trainer of the Spanish team, Andrew Mclean (equine behaviour), and trainer Johann Hinnemann and Coby van Baalen there will be many horses and pony’s presented in all different ages and training levels. A special program, including the live concert by famous concert pianist Wibi Soerjadi, will be the highlight on Monday evening 29 October. International and Olympic judge Stephan Clarke will lead the evaluation of the European championships in Turin. The sports director of CHIO Aachen, Frank Kemperman, will be involved in a presentation with Joep Bartels on the marketing of the sport.
Back to the 2007 GDF Index