British Young Rider Claire Gallimore took up dressage for many reasons, the most important being that it allows her to spent time with the animal she loves. As an experienced British team rider in the pony and junior riders' division, Gallimore has taken her riding to the next level and is currently training with Imke Schellekens-Bartels in Hooge Mierde, The Netherlands.
"If you like being around horses and enjoy taking on the challenge of riding with precision, detail, and harmony, as well as meeting new people, then this is what dressage can offer," said the 18-year old. "It may also give you the opportunity to represent your country, with golden medals to play for!"
Commuting between the University of Leeds in the U.K. and Academy Bartels in Hooge Mierde, The Netherlands, Claire confirmed that her equestrian dreams are taking her across Europe. She is lucky to have landed herself a spot right in the heart of European dressage. "Before moving to the Netherlands I trained with Great Britain's pony trainer Peter Storr, as well as our Grand Prix rider, Daniel Sherriff," she explained.
With Imke Schellekens Bartels daily supervising her riding, Claire recognises the amazing opportunity she has been given and hopes to make the most of it. "To be trained by a double Olympian is truly special and I hope to benefit a lot from this wonderful experience," she said.
Finding the training at Academy Bartels both thorough and logical, Claire is impressed by Imke's ability to teach the best technique, while still promoting such enjoyment. "Imke manages to combine a fine attention to detail with her infectious enthusiasm," said Claire. "I decided to take a step out of my home comfort zone and embrace the new experience."
Claire believes a new training system has huge benefits for her horses as well as her own riding. "For me the system which the Bartels adopt is one that was very much in line with what I was already practising. However I feel that their teaching has enhanced and deepened my understanding of the importance of precision and detail," Gallimore explained. "So far, training there has focussed my attention on throughness and suppleness and emphasised the idea that as a rider I am acting as a physio-therapist for the horse at all times which consequently results in an improved mental and physical well being. It has also highlighted the responsibility I have as a rider to improve my own position and to refine the clarity of my aids to best help my horses understand what I am asking of them."
Happy to be involved in a yard that has such a great atmosphere, Claire loves that everybody is friendly and helpful and that they all do their best to look after the number one! Claire stressed that all the horses are happy and well cared for.
Claire is currently studying Broadcast Journalism at the University of Leeds and commutes by plane to Holland, which is only a one-hour flight. "I have also always wanted to train abroad, so when this opportunity arose I was thrilled," she said. "I"m thriving on the challenge of balancing my studies and my riding commitments. The University is very supporting of my endeavours."
Faced with a very high standard of competition in Holland, Claire feels that for her this is a definite positive as it pushes her to match up. "It means I have to always up my game to meet this standard and I was very pleased that in my first competition at PSG level, in a large senior class, I was able to achieve a high placing," she stated.
With two horses currently in work, Claire hopes to continue her training with the Dutch greats into 2013 and fill her competition calendar with her two rising stars. With her number one Daniolo (by Don Primero) Claire was member of the British team that competed at the 2012 European Junior Riders Championships in Berne. "He is now 13 years old and I will continue to compete at PSG level," she said. Claire's second iron in the fire is the 8-year old Dutch warmblood mare Ballerina (by Scandic x Jazz), which she is currently working towards Advanced level for 2013.
by Sarah Warne
Photos © Astrid Appels
Related Links
British Pony, Junior and Young Rider Viewing Days for 2013 Squad Selection
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What's Happening: August 2011 - Part 2
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