World Dressage Masters Guide 2016

NEXT GENERATION
2016
WDM GUIDE
22
WDM NextGen offers
future stars a podium
In 2010 WDM initiated the WDM Youth Challenge, the predecessor
of WDM NextGen, together with the Jiva Hill Resort owned by the
Lundin Family. Staging an U25 class with a tailored sports format at
a selection of WDM shows gave young Grand Prix riders a chance to
compete under perfect conditions. At shows where the top seniors
compete the future stars of our sport needed a podium.
In 2015 NextGen became part of
the Dressage4Good Foundation
which was initiated by World Dressage
Masters (WDM) together with several
dressage stakeholders and dressage
families. One of WDM´s missions is to
develop new stars. Not an easy mission
but we like to believe that over the last
8 years WDM has become synonymous
for positive and open innovation.
To build a strong foundation under
the future of dressage WDM started
the Dressage4Good Foundation that
works on numerous not for profit
projects like youth development,
research, knowledge transfer and
internationalisation.
Through the years several NextGen
participants successfully made the
switch to the seniors. Good examples
are Danielle Heijkoop, Jessica von
Bredow-Werndl and Jorinde Verwimp
who competed in the NextGen classes
and had the chance to gain experience
at a 5* setting to prepare themselves for
the Big Tour.
Because riders loved it and the first
results were there, WDM has decided
to create a fast lane for talented young
dressage riders within the WDM sports
framework by gradually adding junior
and young rider classes to the program.
This is why the WDM Youth Challenge
was rebranded to WDM NextGen.
JORINDE
VERWIMP
JILL
HUYBREGTS
DIANA
PORSCHE