Upcoming Events and Clinics at Brookleigh

Brookleigh Dressage Training Evenings

The Brookleigh Dressage Training Evenings are a great way to introduce your horse (and yourself!) to Dressage without the stress of actual competition. With friendly and helpful judge's comments, find out what you need to work on before you enter your next dressage competition.

Fortnightly Friday night dressage training tests will be held in the indoor and outdoor arenas at Brookleigh. Parking will be assisted to direct you to the correct area depending on which arena you are in. Tests cost $20 per test and $5.50 ground fee per horse.

To download an entry form for the Dressage Training Evening, click here. Entries close 2 days prior to the event, but please enter early as spots are very limited. Download Start Times for Dressage Training Evenings on the day prior to the competition

W.A.Y.E.R Clinics

W.A.Y.E.R (West Australian Young Event Riders) is the brainchild of recognised eventing and dressage coach Pollyann Huntington. WAYER provides organised top-level coaching and clinic opportunities for committed competitors, mostly competing at Intro through Pre-Novice levels. Given the high level of intensive instruction, FEI riders and higher level horses also frequently take advantage of the clinics.

Since starting in January 2007, WAYER has conducted clinics with interstate coaches, including highly regarded international eventers such as Olympic rider Stuart Tinney and Craig Barrett, who is also the NSW State Eventing Coach.  Flatwork sessions are generally conducted by Pollyann, who is herself an internationally recognised FEI eventing judge, ‘A’ level dressage judge, NCAS level 2 coach and FEI dressage competitor.  Additional specialist coaches will instruct at WAYER clinics next year. 

Originally based at DeLamerie Park Stud in Bullsbrook, WAYER established Brookleigh Estate as its home grounds in 2008. Brookleigh’s unparalleled facilities offer WAYER riders extensive access to three superbly surfaced arenas, plus a world class cross country course for training.  Five clinics are planned there in 2010.

WAYER clinics are run over several days, the first two including flatwork and arena jumping and the third day an extended cross country session.  Sessions also feature event preparation and craft, such as training for the ‘trot up’ at 3-Day events. The 2010 programme will feature extensive horse mastership, pre and post event training and care, pace work and course walking.  New members are welcome. For enquiries, membership and clinic forms, please contact: 

Angela Rowe - 9295 3095, darowe@iinet.net.au or

Pollyann Huntington - 0439 711 321, delamerie@bigpond.com. 

For photos taken at recent WAYER clinics, go to the Gallery section.

Sonja Johnson Cross Country Clinics

Sonja Johnson, our own WA Olympic Silver Medallist, has trained and taught at Brookleigh for many years. She now holds regular monthly Cross Country Clinics at Brookleigh. To read more about Sonja's career and acheivements, click here.

Les Bunning Showjumping Clinic

Les Bunning is renowned in WA Showjumping circles. He has won 2 Australian titles, the Bond Australian Derby, ridden in over 70 World Cup Qualifiers, and partnered Gay Scott to win Australian Showjumper of the Year. He was voted Showjumping Coach of the year for 2007 and is a member of the 2008 State Jumping Squad.

Les gives lessons at Brookleigh every Tuesday: 6pm - 7.30pm up to 80 cm and 7.30pm - 9pm over 80 cm

Ron Paterson Dressage Clinic

Ron Paterson is an FEI International Judge (Horse Trials), a National A Level Dressage Judge, an educator and examiner in programs for judges and coaches, and an assessor in the Queensland Inter-School Equestrian Association (QISEA). Ron has been associated with horses for most of his life (he even rode his pony to school). He was twice the State Pony Club ODE champion representative at the Inter-Pacific Pony Club meet in Canada in the mid 60's. He trained with the late Franz Mairinger at the EFA Centre at Bowral in NSW, and was a leading dressage rider in the late 60's, 70's and 80's. His A Grade show jumper was the NSW Dressage Horse of the Year. In 1983 he received the Dunhill Dressage Scholarship which enabled him to train in Warendorf, Germany, at the German National Riding Centre (DOKR). He was short listed twice in Eventing and Dressage for the Olympics, and has trained 8 horses to FEI Level. He has also served in the administration of equestrian activities, on the State EFA branch committee's, and by formation of a working party to bring all Australian states in line with National rules and grading points. This is now the National Dressage Committee. Ron is an expert in the basics specialising in young horses and beginner riders. Most recent results are state champions in prelim and novice: The stallion - Royal Rubin 2005; The stallion - Donnatraum 2006; and The Mare – Cameo, all competed in America for two 1st's & two 2nd's at Novice level in 2008. Ron trained event horses All Luck (Shane Rose) and Ringwould Jaguar (Sonja Johnson) up to medium level. Sonja Johnson and Ringwould Jaguar were in the Silver-medal winning 2008 Australian Olympic Eventing team. He regularly attends schools conducted by international instructors and now has time to travel and pass on his teachings of the “Master's” he himself has learnt from. Ron Paterson holds regular clinics at Brookleigh.

Steve Brady Clinic

Steve Brady is one of Australia's most respected and requested horsemanship clinicians. After 25 years in the horse educating business, starting over 3,500 horses under saddle, also working with problem horses and educating advanced horses for clients, Steve became aware that it is people who need educating. Steve likes to work with people who like to advance their horses by educating and improving themselves. For further information go to:www.stevebradyhorsemanship.com

Jan Jankowski Cross-Country Training

(EFA/NCAS Level 1 General/ EFA/NCAS SSTA, AHRC/NCAS level 1)

Jan has ridden Dressage most of her riding life, competing at many Dressage Championships with her horse "Omega Blaze" (now the grand old age of 31yrs) a past EFA Dressage Squad member, represented WA at National Dressage Championships. Later on began the Eventing bug, both Jan and her daughter Kate enjoy many weekends away. Jan is a qualified Veterinary Nurse by trade and has worked for quite a few well known Veterinarians, last nursing for Bryan Hilbert, Epsom Equine Centre. This knowledge comes in handy for all the Horsemastership sections involved with NCAS and Assessing. Achieving the added qualification of EFA/NCAS SSTA (Skill Specific Trainer and Assessor). Jan has worked in the EFA Office since 1999 started as reception, also looking after the Coaching side NCAS, filled in as registrar, currently working at the EFA as the NCAS Co-ordinator of all the WA coaches. Previously worked for Brookleigh Equestrian Estate for nearly 5 years coaching the riding school students. Her home business "Jan Jans Equestrian" is now her full time job, although she coaches the EFA Squad BEATS, in various Pony Clubs and coaches and co-ordinates Gnangara Adult Equestrian Club. Privately coaches at Brookleigh, dressage and Cross Country training days. Her Students have voted her "Coach of the Year for 2005, 2006 and 2007. With all this she still finds time to "GO EVENTING" with her daughter.

Ian Stewart Training Clinics

lan educates young and green horses, re-educates poorly trained horses, and is regularly called upon to help troubled “last chance" horses through their "human" issues. He holds weekly clinics at Brookleigh. To learn more about Ian Stewart, click here.

DRTA Training Workshop

In 1992 Dressage Riders Training Association (DRTA) was formed, to help the sport of dressage, at competition level. For further information about DRTA and the bi-monthly Training Workshops, visit the website at www.drta.com.au.

Peter Shaw Clinics

Peter Shaw has successfully coached riders in dressage and showjumping from beginners to Grand Prix and Event riders to Olympic level. To learn more about Peter, click here.

Manolo Mendez Clinics

Manolo has been involved in the training of dressage horses to Haute Ecole level since his early teens. He was second in charge at the famous Royal School of Equestrian Art (known as the Spanish Riding School) in Jerez, Spain. Here he trained horses and riders in the classical principles of equestrian art. He, along with his riders, has given many exhibitions and displays throughout Europe. To this day, Manolo has kept his classical principles of training pure. He says that he still learns from every horse he rides, be it a young horse who has just started training or a seaoned Grand Prix Schoolmaster. Visit Manolo's website at www.manolomendez.com

Philippe Karl

Philippe Karl, Classical Dressage Master from France has been dedicated to training ultimate collection and lightness via the classical dressage principals his entire life and believes that balance and lightness are the two most important, fundamental basics for success in riding sports.  Whether it be eventing, show jumping, hacking or dressage, all horses need to travel in self-carriage and be very responsive to light leg aids.  His Philosophy of Ease and Respect to the Horse themes, which flow strongly through his work, create the base for which “even ordinary horses and amateur riders can ride the high levels of the Grand Prix movements.” 

 He is famous for having the horses travelling in light communication with the rider’s hand at all times which allows and encourages the horse to chew and swallow.  His training reinforces the need for nosebands to be two fingers loose and he lifts the head and neck of the horse to take the weight from the forehand to the hind quarters at halt, then on into walk, trot and canter.  Philippe Karl is taking Europe by storm and holds clinics for his 3 year Teacher’s Course across Switzerland, UK, Austria, Germany, Italy and now Australia with his first visit in September 2009 set to be amazing!  For those searching for a Classical Alternative you can read his book, ‘Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage’ and learn the what, why, how and when of dressage in his set of four DVD’s, available from www.pferdia.de . The book and the DVD series are both available from Saddle World.  For more information see www.philippe-karl.com . For more information on Philippe Karl clinics in Australia, go to www.dressageworld.com.au