All new National Convention set for November 2019!

Title sponsors Harrison Clark Rickerbys and British Dressage are delighted to launch the 2019 National Convention, Develop to Perform.

Visit brand new host venue Addington Equestrian on 23 – 24 November for an exciting, fresh-look Convention, which will look to focus on modern cross training methods, pole work and effective exercises that you can take home and apply in your day to day training.

This year three standout hosts will take to the stage, working through the scales of training, to deliver our most exciting Convention yet. His first training convention on British soil, Danish dressage star Daniel Bachmann Andersen will be joined by British dressage legends Chris Bartle and Michael Eilberg.

We’ll be taking you on a journey from the training arena to halt, immobility, salute, all with the health and happiness of both human and equine athletes at the forefront of the coaching approach.

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What’s on across the weekend

On Saturday’s session we’ll be opening the day with another brand new feature for the National Convention as Prelim level is discussed and developed for the very first time. Aimed at those competing, or looking to compete, in Quest, Area Festivals and Prelim to Medium level competition, Saturday will focus on improving you and your horse at home to progress positively towards achieving competition and training goals.

Sunday’s program aims to inspire and educate as we turn our attention towards the advanced levels from Medium to Grand Prix, including Young Horse and FEI Youth rider categories. A varied approach to training will remain a key feature of the day as we uncover how a balanced and diverse routine can achieve those marginal gains vital for reaching the very top of the sport.

The hosts

Currently ranked seventh in the FEI Dressage World Rankings, Danish rising star Daniel Bachmann Andersen is one of Europe’s most exciting riders on his way to the very top of the sport. Head rider at Blue Hors stud in Randboel, Daniel is guided by American based Lars Petersen, Blue Hors Sport Director Ulrik Sorensen and Danish team trainer Nathalie zu Sayn-Wittgenstein.

Between 2012 and 2014, he was employed by Andreas Helgstrand and prior to that he had worked with Rudolf Zeilinger in Germany for six years. His partnership with Blue Hors’ outstanding stallion Zack has quickly established him as a respected rider on the Western European circuit and made him a regular member of the Danish National team from Nations Cup events, to WEG 2018, with a spot at the 2019 Europeans looming.

Daniel also has Blue Hors Don Olymbrio waiting in the wings, another popular Danish Warmblood Elite breeding stallion who’s already earning plus 80% scores at Grand Prix, in only his second season at the level.

Christopher Bartle is the current British Eventing Team’s High Performance Coach. For 16 years up to 2016, he was National Coach to the German Olympic Three Day Event Team - winners of Team Silver and Individual Gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Team and Individual Gold medals at the London Olympics in 2012 and at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Locally Christopher trains many British International level riders in eventing and dressage. Chris was awarded Hon. Fellowship of the British Horse Society in 2001 following his roles of dressage trainer to British Olympic Three Day Event Team Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, Chef d’Equipe and coach to the British Three Day Event Team at the European Championships, Luhmühlen 1999.

In the saddle, Chris achieved sixth place individually at the 1984 LA Olympic Games on board former eventer Wily Trout. This outstanding achievement would stand for decades as the highest placing at an Olympic Games for a British dressage rider until the arrival of Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro in 2012.

Returning to the eventing scene following his dressage success, a Badminton Horse Trials title was added to Chris’ CV in 1998 – one of the greats of the sport, he’s a glowing example of the multi-talented, cross discipline rider.

Hailing from prolific dynasty of dressage stars, Michael Eilberg is a much sought after rider and trainer with an established presence on both the national and international stages. In his successful career, Michael made history on board the talented Woodlander Farouche, the first mare to win the FEI World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses in 2011 and 2012.

A regular on senior teams, he was a key part of the silver medal winning team at the World Equestrian Games in 2014, and the following year he returned to the Team GBR line up at the European Championships with his father Ferdi’s Marakov.

Having begun his equestrian career in a jumping saddle, Michael brings a fresh approach to training and competing dressage horses often with the popular inclusion of cross training and pole work.

Tickets on sale now!