British Dressage is delighted to be able to announce preliminary programme details for this year’s National Convention, in association with Harrison Clark Rickerbys, 8 – 9 November. We launched Helen Langehanenberg as our host early in September and since then have been working closely with her to put together a timetable with something for everyone whatever your dressage role. Having not done something of this stature in Britain before, Helen wanted to bring all elements of her successful regime including training, riding and veterinary science.
Saturday and Sunday will take a similar format with an introduction from Helen on her riding philosophy for a successful rider and horse. Then she’ll be extolling her training skills on four specially selected guest rider and horse combinations at different stages of their development, from youngsters up to grand prix. For Helen, it’s not just about teaching the movements but how to maintain the work to the highest level.
In the afternoon, Helen will be joined by her specialist vet, David Lichtenberg to delve into the world of veterinary medicine and the increasing role it plays in finding a dressage athlete and, in turn keeping them in top shape.
David has been an essential part of Helen’s yard for three years, although they’ve known each other since they were 17. Based at the Hochmoor Veterinary Clinic in Gercher, not far from Helen’s Westphalia base, David and his colleagues look after the orthopaedic, internal and surgical issues for Helen’s horses. David specialises in orthopaedics and minimally invasive surgery procedures like laparoscopy and arthroscopy. With Helen, he works closely on keeping the horses in the best of health through evaluation of conformation, mechanics and locomotion alongside her training techniques for schooling and fitness.
Their sessions will include the evaluation of a horse in hand and under saddle. On Saturday they’ll look at the medical/physical aspects of a healthy athlete while on Sunday, the focus will be on conformation and the influence of correct training & riding on the development of the horse. Saturday will feature a short session on the all-important vet check at a major competition. Their final session will incorporate the use of a painted horse, both in-hand and under saddle, to illustrate the horse’s composition/conformation; Saturday will feature the skeleton and Sunday’s focus is muscles.
We’re pleased to say that Helen will then ride for the audience to complete each day. Sadly she won’t be bringing her superstar partner Damon Hill, owned by Christian Beck but she will ride a borrowed PSG horse on Saturday and a grand prix ride on Sunday.
So if you can only join us one day, the essence of what makes Helen on of the most successful new generation riders will be covered but if you’re lucky enough to be with us for the weekend, there’s enough variety each day.
Both days start at 10:00 and finish at 16:30 with a lunch break to refresh and visit a great selection of tradestands. As BD’s legal partners, a team from Harrison Clark Rickerbys will be in attendance and happy to talk to attendees on all things legal. On Saturday, any members visiting are welcome to join us for a Members’ Meeting in the Arena Restaurant at 16:45 where members of the BD Board and management team will be available to hear your questions and feedback on any topics.
The horse and riders selected for Helen’s tuition will be announced shortly when confirmed.
BD judges are reminded that attendance at the Convention counts as activity towards their log book while BHS instructors and UKCC holders can also use the event for CPD.
Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased via the BD Web Shop or over the phone by calling Claire Carter on 02476 698833. Daily tickets for BD members are £46 or £52 for non-members or there’s great savings if you buy for both days and make a weekend of it with prices from £76.
Want to learn a bit more about Helen? We caught up with her for our ‘Dressage Days’ feature in the most recent issue of the BD members magazine.
↧
Helen's BD Convention plans unveiled
↧