Ton de Ridder will be the keynote speaker and clinician at the 2010 Saddleworld Dressage Masterclass at Werribee Park, National Equestrian Centre, on Saturday 20 March 2010. The masterclass is always a feature of PSI Dressage and Jumping with the Stars and this year is no exception.
Ton has built his career as an international trainer over several decades and has enjoyed gold medal success at all levels of competition, from Juniors and Young Riders right up to Olympic level. There was a period as national coach of the Dutch Junior & Young Rider team, who enjoyed success at the European Championships and his daughter won gold at the 2007 European Junior Championships. Many others have had success at both the German National Championships and the European Championships. His wife, Alexandra Simmons-De Ridder was a member of the Gold Medal winning German Team at the Sydney 2000 Olympics riding the flamboyant “Chacomo” with the Olympics appearance following individual success at the famous Aachen CHIO, 1999 World Cup Final (3rd) and the European Championships. More recently he coached 67year old Japanese rider Hiroshi Hoketsu to an Olympic Games appearance in 2008.
Together with his wife he runs an internationally renowned dressage stable Hof Rossheide in Aachen and trains many German and Belgium riders. He is developing an enviable reputation for his talents in training emerging FEI riders. Marion Engelen is one of his students and considered one of Germany’s young talents. In 2008 she won the Piaff Forderpreis, a special circuit for rising Grand Prix riders up to the age of 25years, and was runner up in 2009. Several weeks ago at a qualifier for the 2010 Piaff Forderpreis, Marion Engelen easily won the class, with Ton also training two of the other placegetters.
Australian Olympic dressage rider, Hayley Beresford, has recently commenced training with Ton, in addition to using Isabell Werth with whom she is based. Hayley comments “…he is a fantastic trainer as evident through a quick glance at his successful students. I find his techniques both interesting and helpful… he actually tries to provide exercises and ideas to right the problems. He is positive, constructive and effective in his approach to coaching and considers the whole picture of horse and rider both physiologically and mentally and pays attention to every minor detail”
With a depth of knowledge, his emphasis on attention to detail and ability to fine-tune the test riding performance of his students, he is in demand as a “presenter” of masterclasses, and in late 2009 presented a masterclass at the 2009 Global Dressage Forum with the theme “Preparation for competition”. At PSI DJWTS he will present this for the benefit of Australian riders on the Thursday evening (March 18).
Demonstration horses and riders for the Saddleworld Dressage Masterclass and the Thursday evening presentation will be required from all levels (Novice/Young Horse up to Grand Prix) and will be chosen by Ton de Ridder following a two day clinic prior to the event. Riders wishing to be considered for this unique opportunity to train with Ton are invited to apply on this APPLICATION FORM also found at www.equestrianvictoria.org.au. Applications close on March 1.
Other feature events on the Saturday will include the Jumping Masterclass presented by the international Irish rider, trainer and breeder Edward Doyle, the finals of the Australian Young Dressage Horse Championships, the finals of the Young Jumping Horse Championships, a Jumping Stallion Showcase and the CDI-W Grand Prix Freestyle. And of course there is the extensive trade village with plenty of shopping opportunities !
Related Links
Prepartion for a Competition by Ton de Ridder
Master Class with Ton de Ridder at 2009 Global Dressage Forum
Ton de Ridder Resigns as Dutch Junior/Young Riders Team Coach