New Zealand is about as far away from the European and North American dressage scenes as you can possibly get! But the first New Zealand based International Equestrian Forum proved that distance is no barrier to the sport tapping into international expertise from afar. Much enthusiasm was shown by the 300 participants on a sunny spring weekend at the magnificent new Manfeild Agri-Stadium at Feilding in the Manawatu region of New Zealand

The forum was the result of a new partnership between Massey University and Dressage NZ. Massey University has an internationally recognised teaching and treating equine unit and are also developing TEAM MASSEY to support young equestrian athletes through their university years. Selected students are able to agist and train their own horses at the Massey facility. Dressage NZ is enthusiastic about providing up to date information for riders, coaches & judges so the formation of this partnership was a logical progression for the two groups.

The presenters included Prof. René van Weeren (NED). He was one of the founding members of the Global Equine Research Alliance in 2000 (together with participants from Massey University, Colorado State University and the Royal Veterinary College). He was appointed full professor in Equine Musculoskeletal Biology in 2007, his research focus being on cartilage, tendons and biomechanics. Rene has consulted extensively to the FEI on the issue of biomechanics and the training of the horse. His sessions included one of the key topics of the forum “The role of the horses Head and the Neck in the movement of the horse ” as well as the basic biomechanics of the horse.

Cara Whitham (CAN) enjoyed her second visit to New Zealand in 2008 to jointly present a Master Class demonstrating the requirements of the “up to 6yr old” horses and treated the audience to a review of the Olympic Games dressage where she had a birds eye view as TV commentator for the Canadian Broadcasting Company.

Regular visitor to New Zealand, young trainer Hubertus Hufendiek (GER) demonstrated a superb display of riding and training. His methods were clear – the horse must be taking the rider forward with a contact, straight and submissive. He showed that even a horse who appears to have relatively moderate movement in the warm up phase can produce very expressive collected work in the higher levels if the training is correct and the horse’s movement is not inhibited by the rider.

The forum has received very positive comment and the Massey University – Dressage NZ partnership are already planning the next one for 2010.

Photos courtesy: Lisa Potter