128 SIDELINES FEBRUARY 2014
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
Global Dressage Forum Offers
Star-Studded Weekend
F
lorida reigns as the horse show and educational
capital of the world during the winter season, and this
year dressage trainers, riders, officials and dressage
enthusiasts from around the globe will gather February 15-16
at the Jim Brandon Center in West Palm Beach, Florida for the
second annual meeting of the Global Dressage Forum North
America (GDFNA).
Andreas Stano, executive director and founder of
DressageClinic.com as well as DressageMeetingOnline.com, is
the creator and founder of the GDFNA. The event is expected to
be the highest profile educational gathering ever to have been
held in the U.S. and Canada.
The stars headlining the GDFNA 2014 are Stephen Clarke,
Jan Brink, Conrad Schumacher, Tinne Vilhelmson-Silven with
Bo Jena, Eckart Mayners with Christoph Hess, and six-time
Olympian Christilot Boylen with Udo Lange. The Lecturers are
Susanne von Dietze, Terry Ciotti Gallo, Sue Leffler and Jochen
Schleese. The panelists debating are Charlotte Bredahl, Volker
Brommann, Kathy Connelly, Pam Goodrich, Anne Gribbons,
Arthur Kottas, Leslie Reid, Mette Rosencrantz, Betsy Steiner and
George Williams.
During the Forum, Stephen Clarke will be awarded the 2014
GDFNA Life Time Dressage Achievement Award for his lifelong
successes, not only for his own country Great Britain, but also
for North America. “A lifelong dedication to the training and
development of dressage horses and riders is something that
should be rewarded to every individual. We wanted to point out
individuals who have not only dedicated their life to dressage, but
also people who stood out as examples not just for exceptional
horsemanship, but people who had a lot to offer and became
examples of hope for young developing dressage riders,”
Andreas said.
Sidelines caught up with Andreas to find out more about
the GDFNA, which will feature some of the world’s foremost
dressage trainers and experts, in an intense two-day program
with receptions, vendors and lots of fun and sun.
What inspired you to organize this event for the North
American continent?
I wanted to create an educational event that was climatic for
dressage education, beneficial for all serious dressage riders
and still lots of fun and in a warm climate. The concept of one
or two clinicians addressing an audience has now developed
into the creation of the GDFNA presenting, in a time frame of
two full days, 22 of the top dressage educators from around the
world. To witness all these people working together on stage
and sharing their life long experiences is very exciting to any
dedicated dressage rider.
Tell us about the clinicians and lecturers.
I wanted to choose clinicians that I thought have exceptional
talent and success in the training and development of dressage
horses. These are people that I have worked with through
the years and I know that they are true examples of correct
dressage. We have 10 clinicians who are all unique in their own
right. Stephen Clarke will be with us with arena demonstrations
and panel interaction. Jan Brink and Conrad Schumacher will
also be presenting on stage. Eckart Meyners, the creator of
the Balimo seat, will present with Christoph Hess. Sweden’s
superstar Tinne Vilhelmson-Silven, with Swedish Olympic team
coach Bo Jenna, will be presenting as well as six-time Olympian
from Canada Christilot Boylen with Germany’s Udo Lange. As
for our panelists, we are presenting Charlotte Bredahl, Voker
Brommann, Kathy Connelly, Pam Goodrich, Anne Gribbons,
Arthur Kottas, Leslie Reid, Mette Rosencrantz, Betsy Steiner
and George Williams. For lecturers, we are presenting author
Susanne von Dietze, freestyle expert Terry Ciotti Gallo, centered
riding expert Sue Leffler and equine expert Jochen Schleese.
Can you share more about the panelists taking part in the
program?
Yes, we have 10 panelists on stage. When the clinician
finishes his or her
speech and demonstration in the arena, the
panelists can ask up to three questions as
to what they saw
happen in the arena. The questions are for the exploration of
the
clinician’s theories, approaches, philosophies and personal
experiences. The audience will also have a chance to ask
questions to the clinicians or to any one of the panelists.
Andreas Stano, Founder of the Global Dressage Forum North
America.
