French international Grand Prix rider Sebastien Duperdu has relocated from France to The Netherlands, where he became head rider at dressage and breeding centre Geere-Stein in Doorn.
Currently a member of the French team and submitted to the French program for 2014 WEG/2016 Olympic contenders, Duperdu competed his 15-year old Dutch warmblood gelding Passe Partout (by Gribaldi) at the 2011 European Championships in Rotterdam.
Duperdu tried to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games, but his attempts were fruitless. The experience made him rethink his strategy and career. "I realised that if I wanted to reach my goals I have to develop my training and find a different way to develop and build up a real show career," Duperdu told Eurodressage. "I decided to change everything, move and improve myself as much as possible and relocate myself in Holland. Eurodressage really helped me."
Sebastien responded to an advertisement in Eurodressage Groom's Corner, which the Maat family of the Geere-Stein dressage centre had posted in search of a new head rider and trainer.
Duperdu made the move in July 2012. "I'm in charge of the training of horses which are breeding for high level. In 2011 Geere-Stein built a whole new luxurious facility," said Duperdu. "I'm so happy with this proof of confidence and to have found here in The Netherlands a real partnership for common high level objectives. Geere Stein is definitively a lovely place and a real paradise for dressage horses."
Trained by Dutch FEI rider Joyce Heuitink in Doorn, Sebastien brought Passe Partout as well as his own 9-year old upcoming Grand Prix horse with him to Holland and is now riding them alongside several of the talented Geere-Stein owned horses.
Photo © Astrid Appels
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