World Dressage Masters Guide 2014

GUIDE
2014

2014
WDM GUIDE
World dressage masters
Dressage is about reaching the perfect harmony between man and horse. The mind of a horse
meeting that of man in a dimension unknown to many. The feeling is hard to describe but ´it
feels like being one´ a Grand Prix rider once said.
Over the last five years World Dressage Masters (WDM) has been the podium of perfection.
Totilas and Edward Gall, Parzival and Adelinde Cornelissen, Valegro and Charlotte Dujardin,
Uthopia and Carl Hester, Damon Hill and Helen Langehanenberg and Anton and Tinne
Vilhelmson all showed their magic in the Masters.
World Dressage Masters features superb shows that together probably form THE ultimate
podium for international dressage in the world. All shows carry 100.000 Euro prize money and
have a minimum of three ´O´ judges. Perfect conditions for riders and horses are guaranteed and
to secure the welfare of the horse WDM together with the International Society of Equitation
Sciences (ISES) has drafted a special Code of Conduct.
Partners
For the NEXTGEN in dressage WDM schedules the WDM Youth Challenge (CDI U25) and
gives talented riders and horses a chance to qualify into the Masters through the WDM Qualifier
(CDI3*). It is the mission of WDM to modernize the sport. WDM believes that innovation
internationalization and cooperation is key for a sustainable future of dressage.
6-9 March, Vidauban | 29 May - 1 June, Munich | 5 - 13 July, Falsterbo | 26-30 Dec, Mechelen
Presenting Partner Official Partners Media Partner

2014
WDM GUIDE
WDMSchedule2014
foreword: Vidauban
2014 : Year of the Horse
The Chinese calendar couldn’t be more apt! 2014, especially in France, will be an extraordinary year for equestrian
sports. Not just one, but several major events will be held in France this year. As an appetizer: the Vidauban
Dressage Festival. Two weeks dedicated to international dressage. We are happy and proud to host here in
the Var two unique events: The FEI Nations Cup (3*) and the World Dressage Masters (5*). A new edition of
this competition which is growing in importance each year thanks to the support of the FEI. Our team works
hard all year on this event in order to bring the elite of dressage within reach of local people and French riders.
For the main course we must wait until mid April for the two finals of the World Cup (dressage and show
jumping) which will be held in Lyon. And finally, for a gourmet dessert: The World Equestrian Games in
Normandy at the end of the summer. 2014 is the year of the horse, but it is particularly the year that France will
have the opportunity to share its savoir-faire with the equestrian world.
Bernadette Brune | Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins

2014
WDM Vidauban 2014
6 - 9 March
WDM GUIDE
Domaine Équestre des Grands Pins
1745 Chemin des Grands Pins
83550 Vidauban
France
+33 4 94 73 48 85
+33 4 94 99 59 94
info@domaine-equestre.com
DomaineEquestredesGrandsPins
WWW.domaine-equestre.com
PRIZE MONEY WDM Vidauban 100,000 €
Nürnberger WDM Grand Prix 10,000 €
Horsebox Austria WDM Grand Prix Special 20,000 €
Exquis WDM Grand Prix Freestyle 70,000 €
presented by Axcel Johnson Group

2014
WDM GUIDE
WDMSchedule2014
foreword: Munich
Dear guests & friends of horses,
Emotions, moments and high class performance... that is what the World Dressage Masters are all about. After
many exciting horse events in the last four years, the Pferd International will once again present the WDM
finals with its top horses and world class riders at the beautiful Olympic riding facility in Munich. We are very
proud to have been a part of the World Dressage Masters from the very beginning and with that, also part of the
wonderful development in dressage.
Enjoy four days of Pferd International with highlights like the World Dressage Masters in the Nürnberger Dressage
Arena, the finest in jumping, the world of Western riding, international Working Equitation competitions,
Driving, Vaulting and one of the biggest horse-related outdoor trade fairs in all of Europe. Pferd International is
a horse festival with a unique variety of disciplines and an exciting atmosphere to experience.
A warm welcome to all of you in Munich.
Bernhard Graf von Ballestrem | Pferd International

2014
WDM Munich 2014
29 May - 1 June
WDM GUIDE
Pferd International
Landshamer Straße 11
81929 Munich
Germany
+49 8 99 26 96 74 55
+49 8 99 26 96 74 52
pr-zentrum@hippo-gmbh.de
PferdInternational
WWW.PFERDINTERNATIONAL-MUENCHEN.DE
PRIZE MONEY WDM Munich 100,000 €
Nürnberger WDM Grand Prix 10,000 €
Horsebox Austria WDM Grand Prix Special 20,000 €
Exquis WDM Grand Prix Freestyle 70,000 €
presented by Axcel Johnson Group

2014
WDM GUIDE
WDMSchedule2014
foreword: Falsterbo
Welcome to the Falsterbo Horse Show 2014!
The Falsterbo Horse Show is widely acknowledged as the main event of the summer in equestrian Sweden. We
offer a varied and fascinating programme of International 5* Dressage and 5* Show Jumping, along with shows
& clinics. We are very proud to have WDM and their partners at our show. Many of the very best riders in the
world, from four continents and 18 countries, will be at Falsterbo this year.
Interest in the Falsterbo Horse Show is growing, as is demonstrated by several new companies choosing Falsterbo
as a marketing venue. They know a valuable target group will be attending. We hope you have a wonderful time
at this year’s Falsterbo Horse Show, and that you enjoy the competitions in an international atmosphere with the
many pleasant, friendly people who attend our show.
Jan Olof Wannius | Falsterbo Horse Show

2014
WDM Falsterbo 2014
5 - 13 July
WDM GUIDE
Falsterbo Horse Show
Västergatan 23
23930 Skanör
Sweden
+46 40 47 30 01
+46 40 47 30 03
info@falsterbohorseshow.com
falsterboHshow
falsterboHorseShow
falsterbohorseshow
WWW.FALSTERBOHORSESHOW.COM
PRIZE MONEY WDM Falsterbo 100,000 €
Nürnberger WDM Grand Prix 10,000 €
Horsebox Austria WDM Grand Prix Special 20,000 €
Exquis WDM Grand Prix Freestyle 70,000 €
presented by Axcel Johnson Group

2014
WDM GUIDE
WDMSchedule2014
foreword: Mechelen
World Dressage Masters a Gala-edition
The second indoor edition of the prestigious international “World Dressage Masters” circuit at the Flanders
Christmas Horse Show - Memorial Eric Wauters in Mechelen was undeniably a Gala-edition, with highest level
top-sport.
The “Nürnberger WDM Grand Prix”, the “Horse Box Austria WDM Grand Prix Special” and the “Exquis
WDM Grand Prix Freestyle presented by Axel Johnson Group” all had not only strong international participation
but also an exceptionally high quality level. The performances of top rider Helen Langehanenberg with
Damon Hill and the talented young Daniëlle Heijkoop with Kingsley Siro are clear proof of this.
The “World Dressage Masters” round in Mechelen has already developed into a formidable top-event enjoyed
by an enthusiastic public of connoisseurs in a totally sold-out arena. The organisational committee of Jumping
Mechelen is proud to form part of the “World Dressage Masters”-circuit and will do everything to help realise
and expand the WDM-organisation’s objectives.
We are looking forward to the 2014 WDM-edition and wish our partner organisers the very best.
Leo Lambrechts | President Jumping Mechelen

2014
WDM Mechelen 2014
26 - 30 Dec
WDM GUIDE
Flanders Christmas Horse Show
Nekkerhal
2800 Mechelen
Belgium
+32 15 75 39 68
+32 15 75 25 40
info@jumping-mechelen.com
jumpingmechelen
jumpingmechelen
www.juMPING-mechelen.com
PRIZE MONEY WDM Mechelen 100,000 €
Nürnberger WDM Grand Prix 10,000 €
Horsebox Austria WDM Grand Prix Special 20,000 €
Exquis WDM Grand Prix Freestyle 70,000 €
presented by Axcel Johnson Group

2014
WDM GUIDE
the world of dressage
The world of dressage is a world of magic - the secrets of total communication between a horse and
a rider who together, not unlike the fairy tale centaur, listen, interpret and with joyful energy go
through the movements. “How can we know the dancer from the dance” William Butler Yeats asks
when challenging the topic of art and artist becoming one. But dressage and the art of riding is also
about the ultimate commitment and focus. Hard work, hours in the saddle, a deep understanding
of the needs of the horse, patience and leadership. The greatest horse people in the world are
unrelenting in their striving for knowledge.
excellence is there, the joy of achievement, the need for focus and analysis yet also for dreaming.
In our worldwide businesses we build on values and strive for excellence. At Lövsta Dressage and
Stud Farm in Sweden we commit to making the equestrian world a little better by investing in
highly talented people as well as quality horses.
As WDM starts a new year of endeavor we hope that it will be a year filled with the magic of
dressage and of a continued search for excellence.
As a family business owner, now in the fourth and fifth generations, I see the similarities between
our world of business in the Axel Johnson Group and the world of dressage. The search for
Antonia Ax:son Johnson
The Axel Johnson Group

Antonia Ax:son Johnson
The Axel Johnson Group

2014
WDM GUIDE
Dear dressage friends
2014 promises to be a special equestrian year. Not only because the World Equestrian
Games this summer in Normandy, France, but also for WDM entering its sixh consecutive
season. Together with our team, sponsors and show organizers, we are able to offer another
exciting season of top level dressage.
This season we will start with a new show location on our calendar in the Côte d’Azur,
Vidauban. Mrs. Bernadette Brune will host our WDM CDI five-star event exactly one week
after the CDIO three-star that she is organizing for the second time this year. To get to know
Mrs. Bernadette Brune and her show a bit better an interview with her is included in this guide.
events in Munich, the German dressage sport in general and what to expect during this year’s fifth
show. In our guide you will find many other interesting features.
Not only our yearly guide and our website have become valuable information sources on WDM’s
vision towards dressage, but also social media is becoming more and more a valuable asset for us
to inform all dressage passionates on our activities and events. After each event we see more and
more followers on our Facebook page and on Twitter. That is the main reason why WDM decided
to introduce the WDM App and WDM Live (livestream). This way you can enjoy WDM whenever
and wherever you are.
After Viduaban, the next WDM event will be in Munich, Germany, this year at the end of
May, followed by our show in Falsterbo, Sweden, in July. Munich will celebrate its sixth
year anniversary hosting a WDM show. We expect again a lot of top riders to compete at
our shows in preparation for the WEG. Munich will again be the final of the Nürnberger
WDM Rider Ranking. Again we will finish this WDM dressage year in Mechelen,
Belgium, during the Christmas Holiday season. This is the third show in Mechelen already.
In these last five years we ware able to experience many highlights during our events. World
records were beaten, 80 per cent scores became almost ‘standard’ during our Freestyle tests.
In this 2014 edition of our WDM guide, we will present you our Hall of Fame of WDM victories
during all WDM events, since our pilot event in Cannes, France, 2008. Mr. Hans-Peter Schmidt
of Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe will look back with Mrs. Monica Theodurescu at four WDM
This year, our WDM events will again be broadcasted by Eurosport, as our global media partner,
during their Wednesday selection. And even more, as of this year, all WDM tests will be available
on ‘live stream’, allowing our followers to participate and to enjoy our high level events from
anywhere in the world.
WDM was, is, and will be about innovation and cooperation in dressage. We are ready for
another season and we hope you will be there to enjoy it with us! We at WDM whish you a lot
of pleasure in reading our 2014 WDM guide and promise that we will serve you this year with the
top of dressage shows.
A special thanks to our sponsors and show organisers who make the WDM shows possible.
Without their continuing support WDM cannot exist.
On behalf of WDM Management
Anthony M. Kies
CEO World Dressage Masters

Anthony M. Kies
CEO World Dressage Masters

WORLD DRESSAGE MastERS
FOLLOW THE WHOLE WORLD DRESSAGE MASTERS SEASON 2012 - 2013
ON EUROSPORT’S WEDNESDAY SELECTION.

WORLD DRESSAGE MastERS
FOLLOW THE 2014 WORLD DRESSAGE MASTERS SEASON ON EUROSPORT

VIDAUBAN OPENS WDM SEASON 2014
The Vidauban Dressage Festival, that runs
from 6th to 9th March in the South of France,
is the opening of the World Dressage Masters
season 2014. World Dressage Masters is very
excited with the fact that they are represented
in France again. The venue is beautiful and very
popular amongst dressage riders and spectators.
Event director Bernadette Brune explains why the
event is so tremendously popular with the world’s
top riders: “As well as offering the very best facilities,
hospitality is also very important to us: horse and rider
must feel at home here.”
6th until 9th of March 2014
2014
WDM GUIDE
BERNADETTE BRUNE
“ONLY THE VERY BEST IS GOOD ENOUGH”

2014
WDM GUIDE
Bernadette Brune
German-born Bernadette Brune lives in Monaco and is hostess
and event director of the international competition in Vidauban.
Bernadette, now 39, grew up with equestrianism. “My grandfather
was a good rider and put all of us grandchildren on a pony very
quickly. My mother was an event-rider. When I was seven we
moved from Germany to Monaco and as a consolation for this
rather large change she bought me a horse. After my secondary
school education I took up jumping seriously and trained with
Eric Wauters in Belgium for two years.”
Bernadette also developed her jumping talent with top trainers
such as Michel Robert, Dirk Hafemeister and Gert Meyer, and
competed in many international jumping competitions until
a back injury threw a spanner in the works. “I was no longer
able to ride with short stirrups so in 2008 I switched over to
dressage. I enjoyed it before then too, all my jumping horses
were also well-trained in dressage.” Bernadette trained with
Anky van Grunsven, Jean Bemelmans, Ulf Möller and, more
recently, with Udo Lange. Her passion for horses, her talent and
her drive resulted in a meteoric career switch: four years ago
she started riding international-level dressage; for the past three
years she has been competing in Grand Prix. It typifies her drive.
Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins
In 2006 Bernadette laid the foundations in the South of France
for what was to become one of the most beautiful competition
grounds in the world: Domaine Equestre des Grands Pins. “I
had been looking for a nice location for a private stable complex
for two years when I stumbled across the grounds in Vidauban.
There was absolutely nothing apart from a couple of stables
and a racecourse that was used for training trotters. But the
countryside was absolutely wonderful, and the location – close
to the motorway – was too. The original idea was to build a nice
arena and about 40 stables. When that was done we organised
a national dressage competition as there are not many of them
in France. And so the ball began to roll… We started with 9
hectares, the complex has now expanded to over 60 hectares.
And whereas we had 50 combinations competing in the first
dressage competition, we now have 350 dressage riders coming
to Vidauban.”
The second year after we had set it up, the FEI discovered
Vidauban and organised a three-star jumping competition to
which well-known riders such as Edwina Alexander, Rodrigo
Pessoa and the Dutch Schroder brothers immediately came. In
May 2013 the FEI included Vidauban in its series of Nations
Cup competitions. “This year we are hosting the Nations Cup

2014
WDM GUIDE
again but the date at the beginning of March is much more
alluring as the international agenda is less-full then.”Bernadette
will herself also compete during the Nations Cup: she is
riding the Stedinger-son Spirit of the Age, for Germany.
The successful competition in Vidauban has also given dressage
sport in France a stimulus. “The sport of dressage in France
was as good as dead. We had a couple of good riders, but too
few possibilities to compete. Now, partly due to the shows
in Vidauban, there is far more competition and the sport is
growing. You also see that more youngsters, who were originally
focused on jumping are becoming more interested in dressage. It
is also fantastic that France gets to organise the World Equestrian
Games this year. And with the arrival of Jean Bemelmans as team
coach the sport of dressage is definitely on the up: I think that
the French will have a strong team at the WEG in Normandy.”
Hospitable
Vidauban opens the World Dressage Masters Season from 6th to
9th March. Then comes the WDM Munich (29th May to 1st June),
followed by the Swedish Falsterbo (5th to 13th July) and Mechelen
(26th-30th December). “I am very honoured that we may host the
World Dressage Masters, that is a fantastically beautiful event.”
Each show offers at least 100,000 Euro in prize money. But that
is not the only reason for large numbers of riders to enter the
competition in Vidauban: the Domaine Equestre des Grands
Pins offers horse and rider the best of the best. Seven outdoor
arenas – equipped with special lighting to prevent shadow
formation during the competitions that are ridden in the evening
– an ultra-modern indoor arena (65 x 25m), two racecourses,
a covered horse-trainer, hundreds of paddocks and every
possibility for a relaxing hack out in the extensive countryside
nearby. “The facilities are good and the area is beautiful. And
the weather helps too: the sun shines here all the time really. We
are a stone’s throw from St. Tropez, and an hour’s drive from
Nice and Monaco.” But the facilities and the good weather are
not the only reasons that riders so willingly travel to Vidauban.
The hospitality of the competition also plays an important role.
Bernadette: “Only the very best is good enough. So I make certain
that everything is absolutely top. I have also travelled around the
world enough to know that it is very important to feel welcome
at a competition. That hospitality is very important to me; horses
and riders must both receive top care and must feel at home. We
are also known for the parties we throw. Dancing to live music
with colleague riders, after the competition. Equestrianism is our
life, but it is also nice if at the end of the day you can have fun
together!”

2014
WDM GUIDE

2014
WDM GUIDE
The magical
80%
You have finished your test. You and your horse ride out of the ring. The feeling is superb. All the exercises went smoothly. You rode the lines exactly
as you had ridden them hundreds of times in your head. But will it be enough Will it be enough for the magical eighty percent
Or perhaps maybe even more In this feature we give the word to several top riders regarding the magical eighty percent boundary. An absolute
milestone that is only destined for a few.

2014
WDM GUIDE
MADELEINE WITTE-VREES
“With Vitana I have only ever ridden two Grand Prix and
twice in the Grand Prix Freestyle. I am really happy that
we scored over seventy percent each time. Once even 75.8
percent. I think that Vitana has it in her to score over
eighty percent, especially in the Kür.
Actually, it is easier for every rider to score higher scores in
the Freestyle. This is because you can determine your own
lines. You can choose, for example, to repeat a difficult
movement which your horse is good at. Furthermore, the
judges do not tend to rashly give fives for the artistic part.
But even in this, eighty percent is still magical!
Unfortunately I never had the chance to score eighty
percent with Vontango as he died as a result of colic.
He definitely had the potential to do it. But unfortunately
that is no longer possible and we have to look ahead
again. We did just that with Vitana, amongst others.
Unfortunately she is sold now. That is actually a shame but
we thought it was too much of a risk to keep her. I find
it more worrying keeping horses since Vontango’s death.”

2014
CHARLOTTE DUJARDIN
“Funnily enough I can’t remember the first time I scored
eighty percent. I can remember my first ninety percent
score! That was the first time I rode my Olympic
Freestyle. It was a very stressful day as the music
was only just in time. The person who had put the music
together only finished it on the day itself. As a result, I had
never been able to practice the test to music. But it fitted
perfectly and we were awarded a fantastic score. We got so
drunk that evening, it had to be celebrated of course! We
managed it in London again too.
WDM GUIDE
Ninety percent is really legendary. Valegro nearly always
scores eighty percent. It sounds a bit strange perhaps,
but he has been performing well in the Grand Prix for
the past three years. This will be his fourth year. But he is
still improving; stronger and more secure in his exercises.
I have already been privileged to enjoy so many top
moments with him. Now he has also been named ‘KWPN
Horse of the Year’. But its not the top moments that makes
Valegro so special for me, it is the whole experience. The
journey to success.
I don’t know whether it is possible to ever score one
hundred percent. Sometimes I look back at a test and
think ‘wow, it seems impossible that we will be able to
perform an even better test’. Sometimes I feel as though it
is already one hundred percent.”

2014
WDM GUIDE
KATJA GEVERS.
“My dream is to score eighty percent with Thriller. We
have not yet succeeded in doing so. It is a difficult task,
you know! It is more realistic for me at the moment
to concentrate on the kür first. He can piaffe well and
his passage is getting better. I have to make the most of
that. We have worked hard on the half-pass in trot and
on his extended trot. We have made great leaps recently,
figuratively speaking I mean! I have a really good kür to
the music from the film Avatar. That Freestyle was
first performed at the Nations Cup in Hickstead.
I enjoy the fact that Thriller is owned by my family. That
way you are just that bit more independent. He was bred by
Huub van Helvoirt and is a full-brother of Sisther de Jeu.
I am planning on taking Thriller to the World Dressage
Masters competition in Falsterbo again. I competed there
last year and enjoyed it.
As well as Thriller I ride another horse in the Grand Prix.
That is Tarina, a Jazz mare. With her I achieve scores
of 65 percent. Together with my instructor I am working
on remaining on the spot during the piaffe. She enjoys
doing it and learns quickly.”

2014
MARC BOBLET
“As yet I have never scored the magical eighty percent.
Our highest score until now is 76 percent, that is pretty
close. But with Noble Dream Concept Sol (Caprimond x
Donnerhall) I think that it must be possible. She is a really
special horse. Give us another year or two. She is not
easy, a true woman! I can only take her to a competition
once a month. She doesn’t cope well with the stress.
Maybe it is easier to ride a gelding but I enjoy this more
and we are getting to know each other much better. We are
now scoring nines for passage and extended trot. So it is
definitely possible.
WDM GUIDE
I have to work hard at everything in order to be able to
score eighty percent. The biggest mistake a rider can make
is to say that a particular part is good enough. You have to
continue paying attention to everything, to keep training.
For me it really is a goal to achieve the magical score.
The strange thing is that you used to have to score seventy
percent in order to be able to take part. Only then did you
really count for anything. Partly due to Totilas, that has
now become eighty percent. That superbly talented horse
showed us how it should be done. He is a true dressagegod.
But Charlotte Dujardin also shows us a good example
when it comes to riding a strong technical test.”

2014
WDM GUIDE
EDWARD GAL.
“As a beginner you hope for sixty percent. Later you are
happy with seventy percent because if you achieve that
then you are amongst the top riders. But the scores get
higher so you also want to achieve more. The first time
I scored eighty percent was with Lingh. That was in the
“kür”. I challenge myself constantly. That is the only way
to improve.
Together with Totilas I exceeded the ninety percent.
That was a fantastic moment that I will never forget. I
don’t think anyone will ever score one hundred percent.
Although I sometimes wonder when you look at the
upward trend of the past few years. But horses cannot
perform at top-level forever. They grow older and new,
younger horses come along.
Glock’s Undercover’s strong points are his pirouettes, his
piaffe and his passage. At the beginning his walk needed
improving. But I have to say that it is getting steadily
better. That is necessary too as the walk always counts
double. The difference between Glock’s Undercover and
Totilas is that Totilas did not suffer from tension as much.
But he was six when I got him so I knew him through
and through. Glock’s Undercover had never competed in
any really big competitions until two years ago. It takes a
couple of years to build up a such a deep bond.”

2014
ANNA KASPRZAK
“We bought Donnperignon” from Christoph Koschel in
2011. Christoph was part of the German team with him.
They won a medal at the World Equestrian
Games in Kentucky. Donnperignon also competed at
the European Championships with Christoph. Afterwards
he came to our yard in Haderslev.
WDM GUIDE
Luckily I could continue the good results with
Donnperignon. I am very proud of the fact that during
the Freestyle in 2012 we scored over eighty percent. It was
only just over, but that was just enough! I was so happy!
It was a goal that I had set for myself. In 2013 I scored
over eighty percent in Neumunster, Aachen, Herning and
Odense. I can never get used to it.
Donnperignon scores the most points with
his canter. He has a lot of power which means that he has
fewer problems with pirouettes, for example. I have never
yet ridden a test in which nothing has gone wrong. Until
then I do not dare dream of scoring ninety percent.”

2014
WDM GUIDE
ISABELL WERTH.
“As a rider you know that you are one of the top
combinations in the World when you score eighty percent
in the Grand Prix. It was therefore very special for me the
first time that happened. It was a goal that I had worked
towards for a long time. These days it seems that everyone
is aiming for the ninety percent.
I am lucky that I can compete on several horses at the
highest level. One of my stars is Don Johnson FRH with
which I came third with 75.9 percent during Jumping
Amsterdam. He is continuously improving. He is
becoming more powerful and electric. But the aim is to
score between 82 and 85 percent more often with him.
The best horse that I have ever had is Bella Rose. She is
a true diva. The entire area lights up when she enters.
That is something you cannot train. A horse either has that
or not.
Maybe one day it will even be possible for someone to
score one hundred percent. Why not We have to keep on
dreaming.”

2014
HANS PETER MINDERHOUD
“I have never been satisfied with sixty percent. It was
different for me because I had already done a lot before
I started to ride at Grand Prix level. Then you
want to immediately do well, and not come back with
sixty percent. I was very happy the first time I scored over
seventy percent. And then of course you want to go on.
Perfect everything.
WDM GUIDE
The first time I scored eighty percent was with Nadine in
the freestyle in Las Vegas. That was a real milestone for
me. With Glock’s Ziësto, I have scored eighty percent in
the Small Tour already. It is of course satisfying to see
that all your training is rewarded. I expect to be awarded
over eighty percent from the judges with Glock’s
Romanov in the freestyle very soon. Everything
has to be right, you won’t achieve it with just a couple of
striking parts.
In Stockholm I narrowly missed it because I made a
mistake in the changes. If Glock’s Romanov goes well he
can score many points with his lateral work and his piaffe.
Since last year he even has his own freestyle: Romanov’s
Rhapsody. That was compiled by Joost Peters. A true
professional who knows how to perfectly combine music
and movement.”

www.horsebox-austria.com

2014
WORLD DRESSAGE MA
WDM GUIDE
Tinne Vilhelmson-Silfven
Werth & Vilhelsom-Silfven & Kittel
Ulla Salzgeber & Herzruf’s Erbe
Patrick Kittel
Pricegiving Edward Gal & Moorlands Totilas

STERS’ WALL OF FAME
2014
WDM GUIDE
Heijkoop & Langehalenber & Salzgeber
Anton Kies and the top three of Grand Prix Palm Spring
Katja Gevers & Thriller
Patrick vd Meer & Uzzo
Steffen Peters
Jessica Werndl & Unee

do
you
know
the
hidden
secrets
in
your
scores
we
do.
INNOSPORTNL
founded by TNO & NOC*NSF
Official partners:
GlobalDressageAnalytics
Founded by WDM

GLOBAL DRESSAGE ANALYTICS
An exercise in fun! Comparing Totilas and Valegro
2014
WDM GUIDE
Global Dressage Analytics (GDA) was co-founded by World Dressage Masters (WDM) in 2009 with a goal to bring science and
analysis to the aid of the sport to help inform the decisions that federations, owners, breeders, trainers and riders need to make
each day. By building up a database of results across the discipline and developing analytics based on that data GDA is
looking for ways to make more objective decisions to improve both the sport and to improve individual performances.
ABOUT GLOBAL DRESSAGE ANALYTICS
The idea for GDA came from the joint visions of Dr.
David Stickland a Princeton University Physicist, Akiko
Yamazaki and Jerry Yang (founder of Yahoo) of Four
Winds Farm (owners of Ravel and Legolas), John van de
Laar Managing Director and co-founder of WDM and
Anthony Kies, owner of the Exquis stables and founder
of WDM. The ideas behind it had been developed
along with Eva Salomon then Director of Dressage at
the FEI and subsequently with Trond Asmyr who were
interested in using these techniques to assist them in
planning the future of the sport and to assist the judges
in their task. Wayne Channon and Sjef Janssen were key
collaborators with David Stickland in developing the
ideas and in helping him understand the potential for
quantitative analysis. The Dressage Scoring companies,
in particular SCG and Hippodata, were absolutely
crucial in simplifying access to the data and the superb
DressageDirect service run by Claartje van
Andel that gets the results of every CDI into
mailboxes within hours of each class finishing
has been absolutely invaluable.
www.globaldressageanalytics.com

2014
WDM GUIDE
Dressage is of course an Art as much it is a Science, and it is clear that nobody gets into
Dressage particularly out of a love for mathematics! But it is also a judged sport and at
the end of the day that sport is measured in numbers. So understanding those numbers,
understanding what is precise and what is not, what is normal and abnormal, which
factors can be identified to have the most influence, these can all assist the various actors
in the sport.
Because it is a sport based on visual measurements by human beings, comparing
performance to perfection in ways that may evolve with time and with equine athletic
ability that certainly evolves with time, we must always treat our conclusions with
circumspection, comparing them with our external knowledge and thinking what is best
for the sport, the official, the trainer, owner, rider and horse.
An exercise in fun! Comparing Totilas and Valegro.
In the last five years two horses have totally dominated the international scene, Totilas
and Valegro, between them they have redefined excellence and of course assured
themselves of a big role in the future genetics of the discipline! Totilas was brought to us
by one of the most well-established professionals of the era, Edward Gal, while Valegro
was the wings on which a new Dressage star Charlotte Dujardin was launched under
the guidance of that other master professional Carl Hester. Totilas hit the International
scene in June 2009 and hit his pinnacle at the WEG in Lexington, KY on October 1st
2010. Then Edward lost the ride and Totilas has not competed for almost two years.
Six months later in March 2011 Charlotte and Valegro hit the ground running and by
April 2012 they were performing at and above the same level as Edward and Totilas
had. Since then Valegro has taken almost every honor possible. We are now all waiting
to see how the couple will perform in the World Cup Final in Lyon this Spring.
So, these couples never met in a dressage arena, but for fun we could study the numbers
and imagine how things might have been if they had of done! The last (non-Freestyle)
score for Edward and Totilas was 85.7 in the Special at Lexington while the last Grand Prix
100
TOTILAS
June 2009 - September 2012
80
60
VALEGRO
March 2011 - January 2014

Score for Charlotte and Valegro at Amsterdam was 85.8! Amazingly, tantalizingly close.
Both the couples have been to 2 major championships (and of course won everything at
each one), Totilas at Windsor (EC) and Lexington(WEG) and Valegro at London(OG)
and Herning(EC), so from the figure scores at each of those events we can make a virtual
competition to compare their relative strengths! Of course, it is just fun, these were two
years or more apart, the judges were not the same at each event, the use of 7 judges and
half-points was not yet in place for Totilas. But what you will see is how astonishingly
close these two horses were…
2014
WDM GUIDE
To get better statistics we have combined the Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special
results from these championship events and then plotted them on the same graph.
In this graph we show not the actual scores but the difference between the two
horses. Where Totilas scores more than Valegro the bars are above the centerline,
when Valegro scores more than Totilas, the bars are below the centerline, and what
is shown is the coefficient corrected point difference between the combinations.
Here we see the collected power of Edward and Totilas with their beautiful passage and
piaffe as the figure types where they would come out on top, and we see the relaxed yet
perfect changes and extended paces of Charlotte and Valegro! On average scores, Valegro
would just tip Totilas at the post with an 84.7 compared to an 84.2, but with the new
piaffe coefficients for 2014 they would be at 84.7(T) and 84.8(V), far too close to call. But
in the last three years Charlotte and Valegro have steadily improved their passage scores
by more than 0.7% and the trend is very steady...
Two beautiful horses, two superb riders, as a last fun exercise we could ask what would be
perfection today What if we could take the best figures of these two combinations and
put them all together in one ride Actually the final score of that super-horse would be
about 87%, perhaps we will see it one day in a championship from Valegro Or perhaps
we must wait till the next giant hits the arena!
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
Halt
Rein back
SCORE COMPARISON: TOTILAS VS. VALEGRO (GP & GPS)
Collected walk
Extended walk
Collected trot
Half-pass trot
Extended trot
Collected canter
Extended canter
Changes
Pirouette
Zig-zag
Passage
Piaffe
Transitions
Paces
Impulsion
Submission
Aids

29. Mai. - 1.Juni 2014
Olympia-Reitanlage • München-Riem
Dressur • Springen • Voltigieren • Fahren • Western
Working Equitation • Schauprogramm • Kinderland
Ausstellung und vieles mehr
Die Weltspitze zu
Gast in München

DIDIER FERRER
World Equestrian Games 2014
2014
WDM GUIDE
“Working for the WEG is the next, unexpected step for me”
The 59-year-old French Didier Ferrer has been appointed discipline manager
for dressage of the 2014 World Equestrian Games, which will take place in
Caen, Normandy. The Pompadour-based Ferrer is an experienced show
manager having been the director of events such as the CDI Pompadour,
J&Y Championships Compiegne, CDI Biarritz and CDIO Vidauban. Ferrer is a
dressage rider himself and was recipient of 2008 Astley Academy Award being
proclaimed ‘French Organizer of the Year’.
The FEI World Equestrian Games was initiated to function
as an international platform to show the equestrian sport at
its best. The first edition of the WEG took place in Sweden in
1990, finally uniting the separated World Championships of
all the different disciplines in one event. Four more successful
editions followed in European venues afterwards with the last
edition being held in Kentucky (USA), outside of Europe for
the first time. Nowadays the FEI World Equestrian Games
encompasses every discipline of the equestrian sport. The
FEI World Equestrian Games are being held every four years,
between each Olympic Games and the riders are selected from
the top set riders from each nation.
For Didier Ferrer 2014 will be a challenging but incredible
year: “The year 2014 means a great year for me. I am honoured
and extremely proud to fulfil the position of show manager
for the World Equestrian Games. I have worked for several
CDI’s by now and working for the WEG is the next logical, yet
still unexpected step in my work as an organizer of equestrian
events. When they offered me to be the show manager for the
WEG, I immediately said yes. The idea to host the WEG in
Caen originates from Normandy itself. The president of the
region Normandy supports the organization of this event
fully and so does the general public. Consequently, thirty
percent of the funds come from the local community. This
does not come as a surprise though. Caen is well known
for its horse trotting, the first races date back all the way to
1837. Besides, the WEG is a great recognition for the region
and also gives rise to the opportunity to benefit from global
exposure during the two-week event. The WEG 2014 will be
the result of teamwork together with the French state and all
the partners involved. The French Equestrian Federation is
the third national federation and embodies 700,000 members.
In addition, it is the most popular sport amongst women.
Accordingly, a whopping 80 percent of the riders is female.”

2014
WDM GUIDE
Tricks of the trade
“As the show manager I have many responsibilities and tasks.
Personally I have quite some experience in organizing large
equestrian events. Since I have worked for many CDI’s over the
last ten years, I know everything and everyone that is relevant
to the organization of an equestrian event. It is very important
to have a lot of knowledge at your disposal. One needs to be
able to assess the difficulties that can be encountered by the
riders, grooms, and etcetera. However, a large number of the
staff is not acquainted with our sport. This means I receive
a lot of questions on daily and even hourly basis. Naturally,
since I have been affiliated with the sport for a long time and
I am a rider myself, it is a lot easier for me to imagine what
a rider wants and needs. We are at the right track and work
to the best of our abilities for every aspect and every person
that will visit our show. Currently we have a team of over
one hundred people for all the eight disciplines. During the
event there will be 3000 people working here. This requires a
strong management department. The preparation work is of
the utmost importance. My ultimate goal for the WEG 2014 is
that the entire competition runs smoothly and the riders and
delegations are satisfied.”
Constant improvement
“The team of the WEG 2014 continues trying to improve
the event. We do this via looking at previous editions and
other championships. The management team attended the
London 2012 Olympic Games where we had the opportunity
to examine the technical and logistical aspects of hosting a
major equestrian event. For example, we noticed how pleased
the riders were with the stables in Londen. In Caen we will
therefore use the same stables to satisfy the riders. We look to

2014
Nicole Uphoff
Rembrandt
Anky van Grunsven
Olympic Bonfire
Isabell Werth
Nissan Gigolo FRH
Nadine Capellmann
Farbenfroh
Anky van Grunsven
Keltec Salinero
Edward Gal
Moorlands Totilas
We can only guess
What do you think
WDM GUIDE
improve in other areas, such as the location of the grooms. We
want their housing to be located very near to the stables and
we plan to move a little restaurant near the grooms’ location
as well. Furthermore, we aim to locate the stables and training
areas near the main arena. The main arena will be in a football
stadium. The stadium can fit 22,000 spectators, so it is not too
big. With this size the spectators can still see the riders from
a relatively close distance, this is important for the ambiance
and experience of the audience as well. These are just small
examples, there are many more facets we are looking to alter
or enhance.”
World Dressage Masters
Didier Ferrer is also the Show director of CDI Vidauban,
where the World Dressage Masters is held. Ferrer explains
very enthusiastically about the World Dressage Masters. “I
think the WDM are a great idea. It is very important for the
dressage sport to organize events like these. It features the top
of the worldwide riders and I expect it to be a wonderful event.
Hopefully the WEG and the World Dressage Masters are able
to promote dressage in France, where it remains largely unknown.
Dressage is an exceptionally beautiful discipline that
deserves to receive more attention. Its fluidity, precision of
technical movements and aesthetics are the key aspects that
make the discipline so impressive. The harmony of the relationship
between horse and rider can be breathtaking.”
“The stadium can fit 22,000 spectators, so it is not too big.”

LÖVSTA FUTURE CHALLENGE
Inspire to achieve the impossible
2014
WDM GUIDE
The Lövsta Future Challenge is a Swedish competition
that inspires young riders and owners of young horses to
achieve absolute perfection in the sport of dressage:
the Grand Prix. The idea came from Louise Nathhorst,
former Olympic rider and nowadays one of Sweden’s
best dressage trainers. It immediately appealed to
Antonia Ax:son Johnson, the owner of Lövsta Stuteri.
She embraced the project and has been associated
with the competition as sponsor since the beginning in
April 2012. This years competition is the last of the three
planned seasons, but hopefully there’s a bright future
for the concept Lövsta Future Challenge!

2014
WDM GUIDE
This is how it works
The Lövsta Future Challenge consists of five
qualifying competitions (Lidköping, Strömsholm,
Everlöv, Ericsberg, Djursholm) and a final
(Stockholm). It has two categories, Young Horses
for horses up to 11-years-old and U25 for riders up
to 25-years-old. The first four qualifiers are ridden
at Intermediaire II level and the last one at FEI
Grand Prix U25, which is also the test ridden in the
final. The four best riders and horses from each
category from the qualifying competitions – 8 in
total – get to ride in the final. The four best results
for every horse and rider are added up.

Exciting finals
Each year the organisation introduces new improvements to make the competition even more exciting. Since last
year for example, the last qualifier is ridden at FEI Grand Prix U25 level, the same as the final. Previously this was
also an Intermediaire II test. In this way, everyone can prepare themselves better for the thrilling final which, this
year for the first time, will be ridden in the Friends Arena. This is the new home for the Stockholm International
Horse Show.
It is clear to see that the Lövsta Future Challenge idea stems from a passionate trainer and coach. The Lövsta
Future Challenge sees trainers as a crucial part in the creating of a team between horse and rider. The competition
cannot complain when it comes to the number of competitors. But in order to attract even more riders, the Lövsta
Future Challenge has a vision: when you inspire trainers to go for the highest that is attainable then they, in turn,
can inspire their pupils. In this way they will become enthused with the Grand Prix. In order to reflect this,
annual awards are conferred on the trainers of the winning riders.
2014
WDM GUIDE
As a result of the Lövsta Future Challenge, the progress of Swedish riders has been tremendously stimulated.
Emilie Nyreröd is a good example. In 2012 she won the U25 competition with her horse Miata. This pair is now
currently successfully competing at international Grand Prix level and represented Sweden during the Nordic
Championships in Finland last year. But as well as Emilie, there are countless talented young dressage riders
active, which means that the future of Swedish dressage looks very rosy. Jennie Larsson, Marina Mattson and
Caroline Darcourt are riders who at the moment are performing well in the Lövsta Future Challenge and who
will definitely pursue their careers. This strong growth in new talents is due mainly to the excellent equestrian
infrastructure in Sweden.
Sustainable sports goals
Lövsta Stuteri, the main sponsor of the Lövsta Future Challenge, is tremendously committed to sustainability.
Since the beginning of the competition in 2012 the organisation wants to be a role model for the Swedish
equestrian sport when it comes to sustainability and environmental friendliness. They do this for example by
compensating CO2 for all the travel of riders and judges to and from competitions. Last year that resulted in 40
tonnes of CO2 that was subsequently compensated by means of a water project and tree plantations in Uganda.
In addition, the riders and their trainers received a sustainable jacket made from recycled PET-bottles, with the
Lövsta Future Challenge logo on it.
But as well as setting a good example themselves, they also put pressure on the organisers of the qualifiers and
the final. Last year they were challenged to a competition. They could win by organising the most sustainable
meeting. Last year the winner was Djursholms Ridklubb. Their idea was the ‘Climate Box’, a box with practical
tips as to how you can live in a more sustainable way. Starting order lists are no longer printed, sustainable coffee
is served and only vegetarian food is available. In this way everyone lends a hand and the Lövsta Future Challenge
participants and visitors, consciously or unconsciously, do something good for the planet in return.

2014
WDM GUIDE

INNA LOGUTENKOVA
“In ten years time I will return to Ukraine
to make the sport famous there”
2014
WDM GUIDE
Most people know of Westmalle in Belgium for the delicious beer that is brewed there. But
dressage connoisseurs will know that it is the home-base of the Ukrainian Grand Prix rider
Inna Logutenkova. She is the perfect example of the internationalisation of the dressage sport,
something the World Dressage Masters warmly embraces. The twenty-seven year-old moved
to Belgium in October 2012. She wanted to live and work in the heart of the dressage world.
Three times a week she travels to Erp to have lessons with Sjef Janssen, the former Dutch team
coach.

2014
WDM GUIDE
We are warmly welcomed at the stables complex hidden amongst the sloping
hills. Ukrainian delicacies are served alongside the coffee. “I have just got back
from Kiev. I can’t resist bringing a few delicacies back with me.” Inna tells about
the stable buildings: “My sponsor, VIAN Group, makes it possible for me to live
and train here. They bought this complex for me. As you can understand, I am
very grateful to them.”
Despite her young age, Inna already has a life-story to tell. A story in which
perseverance and talent play a big part. Inna is one of the few successful dressage
riders from Ukraine. She tells us how it all began: “I was seven years-old when
a couple of men with ponies arrived at the village green of Donetsk, the village
where I grew up. For a few cents you could have a ride. You could not prise me
away from the ponies.” Serious riding however did not begin until a few years
later. When a lady from the local riding school wanted to interest children in
the lessons Inna hung on her every word. “Many of my classmates started riding
lessons at the riding school. But a year later I was the only one left. My parents
were initially not very happy about it. You see, they had to take and collect me
by car every day.” Inna’s parents saw her indisputable love of the noble animals.
“They themselves are not so interested in horses. My father unfortunately passed
away seven years ago but he was always very proud of me. He delighted in seeing
me sitting beaming on a horse. My mother is a great support to me. She has
never forbidden me from doing anything, apart from when I wanted to go to the
riding school when I should have been going to school.”
Inna is currently third in the interim standings of the World Dressage Masters.
She came second with her horse VIAN Stallone during the Grand Prix Special
in Mechelen. Did she know from a young age that she wanted to be a top rider
“No, until recently it was not even self-evident to be able to practise a sport in
the Ukraine. Especially if it is an expensive sport. But at a given moment I had to
think about what I wanted to do in my life. I had studied Physical Education and
Sports but it was difficult to find work there. Then I was accepted for an office job
with an excavation company. I was really unhappy doing that. I am not someone
who can sit between four walls all day.”
Inna had the luck to come into contact with her current sponsor, VIAN Group.
VIAN Group is a company that specialises in training horses and organising
equestrian events. She sits up straight and recounts enthusiastically the
encounter that took place three years ago: “Ten riders were invited to the VIAN
Group’s complex in Shpytky. It was a sort of talent hunt and the judges included
no-one less than Anky van Grunsven and Sjef Janssen. They were asked by the
VIAN Group to make a selection from the participants. I was selected to go to
the Netherlands to train there. I was the happiest person on Earth!”
How does Inna see her future “I plan to learn a lot more. I don’t yet give
lessons myself, for example. No, I need to school myself much more first before
I can teach others. But in about ten years time I want to go back to Ukraine to
make the sport famous there. I sometimes miss my country. But riding seven
horses a day you don’t have much time for that. Interest in dressage is growing.
Previously people had much more important problems to worry about, eating
for example. But now the economy is improving you see the number of horses
and competitions increasing.
Inna has a great sports year ahead of her. She will compete in the World Dressage
Masters competitions in Vidauban, Falsterbo, Munich and Mechelen. “Those
are nice competitions where you can measure yourself against the absolute top.
And the prize money is good too, not totally unimportant.” She starts beaming
when she talks about her sporting goal: I want to ride in Rio de Janeiro. I must
be able to qualify for a place in the Ukrainian team. But I want to score at least
75 percent in the run-up to it. Otherwise I will stay at home, I do not want to
compete for the consolation prize!”

2014
WDM GUIDE

2014
WDM GUIDE
Ten questions for
&Monica Theodorescu
Hans Peter Schmidt
about the Pferd International in Munich
In this edition we are pleased to pass the word over
to two heavyweights in German dressage. Both
have an unconditional love of horses. However,
for their contribution to the equestrian sport they
stand alongside the horse, with both feet firmly on
the ground. Monica Theodurescu is invaluable in
her role as team coach for the senior dressage
riders. Hans Peter Schmidt is chairman of the board
of directors of Nurnberg Versicherungsgruppe but
is also president of the Bayerischen Verband. With
his close connections, Hans Peter is a key figure in
the financial continuity of Germany’s most popular
show: Pferd International. Both horse-fanatics
were asked five questions about this wonderful
competition that, this year, is being held from 29th
May to 1st June in the former Olympic Stadium in
Munich.

2014
WDM GUIDE

2014
WDM GUIDE
01
Where does your passion for the equestrian sport come from
As a child I saw a John Ford Western. I was immediately hooked on the atmosphere. The romanticism of a
cowboy’s life. We often watched Western movies with the entire family, we could not get enough of them. That
is how it started. After that I quickly started riding a pony, I was twelve then and still ride regularly today. But I
never became a real cowboy!
02
Why did the Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe decide to become a partner of WDM
As an insurer it is important for your name to be recognisable. That many people come into contact with it and
know where to find you. By linking our name to Pferd International we gain positive brand recognition with a
target group that corresponds to our company.
03
What was your motivation to attract WDM to Pferd International
We were almost certain that attracting the World Dressage Masters would be to the advantage of the event. It
brings class with it. The partnership with the World Dressage Masters brought us what we expected from it: an
even more interesting event for the riders as well as for the public.
04
What are the next steps to improve Pferd International and WDM
Pferd International keeps growing. As well as the fact that more and more riders want to compete in Munich we
are also attracting a more international public. An important move in the future of the World Dressage Masters is,
in my opinion, to find more locations with a good reputation and a distinctive character.
05
What is you opinion about Monica Theodurescu as the German national coach
Monica Theodorescu is the right lady in the right place. She is exactly what the German team needs at the moment.
She herself achieved a lot, that helps tremendously in her credibility. As well as that, her way of teaching is very
vigorous and convincing.
Name
Age
Marital staus
Place of birth
Place of residence
Started riding at
Hans Peter Schmidt
72 years old
Married
Koenigsberg, Germany
Neumarkt, Germany
12 years old

Name
Age
Marital staus
Place of birth
Place of residence
Started riding at
Monica Theodorescu
50 years old
Married
Halle, Germany
Sassenberg, Germany
3 years old
2014
WDM GUIDE
06
What part of your job as national coach do you love and hate the most
There are many aspects of this job that make it exceptionally enjoyable and give much satisfaction. But I would
be lying if I did not say that what I enjoy the most is riders from my team winning! Although I obviously see the
purpose of them, I must admit that I sometimes find the meetings very boring. I prefer being busy with the riders
and horses. The practical side of being team coach appeals to me more.
07
What does Pferd International mean for you, both privately and career wise
Years ago I rode my Junior Championships during Pferd International. The whole setting of the event made an
enormous impression on me. The development Pferd International has undergone over the years is incredible. I
find it wonderful to see that it has become a complete stadium with all the modern facilities, but that it has still
kept its friendly atmosphere.
08
How do you experience the way this event has matured over the years
It has become an important event on the FEI calendar. It is, in particular, a good preparation for the CHIO
Aachen followed by the World Equestrian Games. But as well as that, Pferd International is definitely an asset
when it comes to the development of sport in the Bavaria region.
09
Could you describe what the added value of World Dressage Masters is for Pferd
International
World Dressage Masters gives the entirety more zest. I notice that top-riders are attaching more importance to
being able to compete in Munich. This makes the competition tougher and more exciting. As a result, the CDI of
Pferd International gains in importance and we can be certain that more and more top combinations will start
competing here.
10
Could you explain the importance of the Nürnberger Versicherungsgruppe and the
involvement of Hans Peter Schmidt for German dressage
Hans Peter Schmidt and the Nurnberger Versicherungsgruppe give German dressage tremendous support.
Starting with the children at the lowest level, but also Juniors, Young Riders, U25-riders, seven to nine-year-old
horses and the Grand Prix. But it is not just the financial support. I know that Hans-Peter is a genuine lover of
dressage. That sincerity is valued by our riders.

w w w.spor tbizz.nl
Proud partner of
Always ready to meet your challenge in sports !

2014
WDM GUIDE
The Wild Horses of Sable Island
by Roberto Dutesco
Roberto Dutesco (1961) is known for his beautiful
photographs of wild horses, taken on the Canadian island,
Sable. Since 1994 he regularly visits this piece of unspoiled
nature that is almost inaccessible to the general public.
With patience and respect for the wild horses – who, due
to the absence of natural enemies, show no fear of people
– he succeeds in taking the most spectacular photographs.
Born and raised in Romania, Dutesco came into contact
with photography very early on. “My family was made
up of travellers who always came back with great stories
and beautiful photographs. Those photographs sparked
my imagination tremendously. Something that had
consequences on the rest of my life.” After his photography
studies in Montreal, Canada, Dutesco became a very popular
and successful fashion photographer. The turning point in
his career came when in 1991, in the middle of the night,
he tuned into a television channel showing fuzzy pictures of
horses in an incredible landscape. Fascinated, he jotted down
several keywords on a piece of paper and put it in a safe place.
“At that time I was continuously travelling for my fashion
photography. One-and-a-half years later I came across
the piece of paper and was fascinated all over again. How
wonderful would it be to be in a place where nobody knows
your name, and where you are almost the only person around”
Since then Dutesco has visited Sable Island eight times.
The first time was in 1994. “I stepped onto the island with
naivety, love and curiosity. Twenty years later I still feel that
same way every time I am there. I become immersed in that
wild world, from sunrise to sunset. I embrace the horses
and the elements. Marvellous to be allowed to walk on their
unspoiled land, one of the few places on Earth that is still
truly wild.” The horses react in various ways to his presence.
Some are curious, some are not. “Sometimes they come so
close to me that I put my camera down and just enjoy their
breath on my face. I value their friendly welcome, time and
time again.”
Dutesco seeks to make people more aware with his
photographs. “With my photographs I want to achieve that
people step back, pause a moment, to remember who we are
and what really matters in this world of change.” He hopes
that his photographs help to protect that little piece of wild
that still remains in this world.
Horse-lovers have known where to find Dutesco’s work for
years. They come to his gallery in Soho, New York, and are
sometimes moved to tears by the photographs they see there.
His exhibition is one of the longest-running exhibitions in
the city. As well as photographs, a film has also been made.
‘Chasing Wild Horses’ has already been seen by 10 million
Canadians and is playing in 30 countries. He is not planning
on stopping there. The island with its wild horses continues
to enrapture him. During one of his visits he lay exhausted
in the long grass, after having walked for many hours in
the sand. He fell asleep watching the clouds racing above
him. “When I awoke I was surrounded by six horses. They
were looking at me with their giant heads, so close and so
protective. It was breathtaking.”

2014
WDM GUIDE
SOCIAL WDM
Meet some of our Facebook Friends!
NICE OF
YOU TO
FACE THIS BOOK
BUT YOU CAN
ALSO FIND US
ONLINE!

2014
WDM GUIDE
World Dressage Masters
8,298 likes - 18 talking about this
✓
Liked
✓ Following
Message
Marta Fusetti
40 years old
Italy
Succesful equestrian photo
journalist and works for
several magazines
Debbie Draper
42 years old
United Kingdom
Dressage rider at amature
level
Ryno Verster
31 years old
South Africa
Professional dressage
rider. Will start training in
The Netherlands for the
Olympic Games in 2018
Robert A Dunn
46 years old
America
Dressage rider at amature
level and volunteer at
dressage shows
Sandrine Trillat
33 years old
France
Dressage rider at amature
level
Lars Fridberg
52 years old
Sweden
Dressage rider and trainer
Daria Marchenko
16 years old
Germany
Russian dressage rider in
international Junior Class.
Trains in Germany
Michelle Briggs
38 years old
Australia
Does not ride but enjoys
watching dressage
competitions
Yasmine-Nora
Asmat
26 years old
Belgium
Dressage rider at fourth
level

2014
WDM GUIDE
CHECK IT OUT!
THIS IS WHERE OUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS ARE LOCATED IN THE WORLD!
North America 39%
Europe 52%
Africa 1%
South America 1%

Asia 2%
TOTAL NUMBER OF WORLD DRESSAGE MASTERS FACEBOOK LIKES
8.298
LET’S TAKE A LOOK AT THE NUMBER FOUR OF FACEBOOK LIKES
2014
WDM GUIDE
1.
2.
3.
2.718 Facebook Fans
United States of America
1.212 Facebook Fans
United Kingdom
477 Facebook Fans
Canada
Oceania 5%
4.
462 Facebook Fans
Germany

GUIDE
Production
Equine MERC
www.equinemerc.nl
Editor in Chief/Art Director
Daisy van Nieuwkasteele
Luc van Moorsel
Lay-out and DTP
Luc van Moorsel - Equine MERC
Daisy van Nieuwkasteele - Equine MERC
Audrey Remkes - HazenbergHoefsloot
On the cover
Outside: Glock’s Undercover
Inside: Damon Hill
Photography/Retouch
© Roberto Dutesco
© Luc van Moorsel
© Lovecastle
© Maximilian Schreiner - Im Blickpunkt
© Arnd Bronkhorst
© Lövsta Stuteri
© Pascal Lahure
© RPG
Articles
Luc van Moorsel
Aline van der Waaij
Anne van den Berg
David Stickland
Translations
Sharon Hillis
Editor
Daisy van Nieuwkasteele
Luc van Moorsel
John van de Laar
Print
HazenbergHoefsloot
WDM Management BV
Dr. Paul Janssenweg 165
5026 HR Tilburg
The Netherlands
+31 73 6233378
info@worlddressagemasters.com
www.worlddressagemasters.com
WDM management
by SportBizz