Two months after the Olympic Games in Hong Kong on October 27-28 2008 many top trainers, riders, scientists, officials and serious dressage enthusiasts from all over the world will meet at the Global Dressage Forum in Hooge Mierde, the Netherlands.
During the 8th edition of the forum several clinics, demonstrations and working groups will be presented by the Cadre Noir, Hubertus Schmidt, Andrew Thomas, Rico Schuijers, Mariette Withages, Dieter Schüle, Hilary Clayton and a group of Dutch riders, trainers and breeders. The program committee has reserved a lot of time for discussions on actual developments in the sport. A panel of top trainers, riders, judges and journalists will evaluate every clinic. Lively debate is guaranteed by having Panel sessions and a Question Corner where participants can give there opinion and ask questions.
Hubertus Schmidt has presented an impressive performance at the Global Dressage Forum, two years ago. On special request of many participants he is re-invited. He is one of the most prolific dressage trainers in the world and has trained over thirty horses to Grand Prix level. Schmidt will show his skills by riding a horse and teaching some riders. The Cadre Noir de Saumur is represented at the Global Dressage Forum by the teaching staff of the French National Riding School. Cadre Noir is presenting the classical art of the haute école and the principles of European horsemanship. Traditionally the explanation of the championships is scheduled, the Olympic Games in Hong Kong. In a practical session Dutch riders, trainers, judges and breeders will show backgrounds of the successful ‘Dutch Dressage’.
New this year are the working groups with items as: physical training of the rider by Andrew Thomas; new developments in mental training by Rico Schuijers; information about judging by Mariette Withages and Dieter Schüle; new physical development program for horses, ‘active your horse’s core’ by Professor Hilary Clayton; and a working group about recent problems, solutions and experiences with judging in other sports by Hans van Zetten, international expert in judging systems. These items will be presented during two shifts in smaller groups.
Back to the 2008 GDF index