Belgian born and German based Spanish team trainer Jan Bemelmans has started his official work for the 2011 show season by hosting three clinics throughout Spain. These clinics are observation trials endorsed by the Spanish Equestrian Federation.
The first sessions were held in Can Alsina (near Barcelona), Madrid (EEC Somosaguas) and in San Martín del Tesorillo, Cádiz (at the SOS Center) from 26 - 29 January 2011. Twenty-eight combinations were present at the clinics, 11 of them rode on PRE bred mounts.
In Madrid Jan Bemelmans and chef d'equipe Bobby Fernandez de Bobadilla spent the morning in the indoor arena because the cold weather had frozen the footing in the outdoor school. Ten pairs appeared on stage: Eduardo Mellado with Piconero, Antoio Diaz Porras on Donna, Angel Bermejo on Vivaldi, Fidel Diaz on Fandanguero, Enrique Serrano on Walker, Veronica Soriano on Tenerife Rainbow, Miguel Ruiz with Quate Siete and Gonzalo Diaz with Velero. In the afternoon, Bemelmans coached Juan Antonio Jimenez on Kamai, Claudio Castilla on Musico (full brother to his number one ride Jade de MV), Ángel Bermejo on Precioso and a Juan Jose Ruiz on Senorio. The next day some new pairs presented themselves, including Miguel Polo on Helio and Mario Gomez on Jadraque.
The main focus was guiding the riders on their young horses as well as their high performance mounts. This were the first clinics in a series which will continue the upcoming months.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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