Stars at EQUITANA 2009:

Celebrities in the arenas

Klaus Balkenhol

At EQUITANA 1999 he retired his police horse Goldstern with whom Klaus Balkenhol will be associated eternally. At the Olympic Games in Barcelona (1992) as well as in Atlanta (1996) Klaus Balkenhol and Goldstern won the team gold medal. Since 2001 Klaus Balkenhol has been federal coach of the American dressage team. At EQUITANA Klaus Balkenhol will act in his role as board member of XENOPHON classical riding. Klaus Balkenhol aims to promote the dialogue between trainers and judge.

Honza Blaha

He is considered to be the new star in the equestrian scene. At EQUITANA 2009 the Czech Honza Blaha will demonstrate his horse feeling within the daily program in hall 6. With his lessons he intends to create some kind of bridge between Natural Horsemanship and equestrian sport. Being the best student of Pat Parelli he has already proved his teaching qualities in Czechoslovakia and Europe where he successfully teaches Natural Horsemanship under his name, with his own ideas and tremendous knowledge. Honza Blaha has been renowned particularly for his special way of collecting horses without reins and riding advanced dressage sections without bridle.
Special program on Monday 16th March, 2009 from 6-7 p.m. (training day): An afternoon together with Honza Blaha
Photo: Honza Blaha

Margrit Coates

The Englishwoman Margit Coates has been regarded as one of the world's leading horse healer and expert for horse communication. Her four groundbreaking books refer to differentiated and healing methods which change positively the handling with horses and other animals. Margrit Coates has attached great importance to the harmonious relationship between animal and human being. At EQUITANA she will present impressively her gentle methods to the public.

Peggy Cummings

The passionated rider Peggy Cummings being cofounder of the Centered Riding method has developed her riding studies. Her method is called Connected Riding and has been observed attentively in Germany. Her method helps to get powerful flexibility for rider and horse. Her theory has been influenced significantly by Linda Tellington Jones and her TTeam method.

Sabine Ellinger, Ute Ochsenbauer

Sabine Ellinger being dressage and show trainer has been successful up to advanced tests. Her horses have been trained in show riding and released reins. Ute Ochsenbauer has trained horses as per Linda Tellington Jones' TTeam method and methods of other famous horse trainers. She has specialized in therapy of traumatized people and horses.

Heinrich Herrmann Engemann

Since 2009 „Heiner" Engemann has been discipline show jumping trainer and trainer of the German show jumping team at Olympic Games, championships and high-ranking nation cups. Furthermore, he has become manager of the show jumping junior team and he will assist the head coach Otto Becker with the management of the Olympic show jumping team and other top teams. Being an internationally successful show jumping rider himself "Heiner" Engemann won more than 100 advanced show jumping tests with his mare Candela and with Aboyeur W he was placed 3rd at the World Cup Final 2008. At EQUITANA he will present his experiences and skills within a show jumping lesson.

Andrea & Markus Eschbach

Andrea und Markus Eschbach have spezialized particularly in bitless riding. Being representative of the Horsemanship team they have been riding their horses also in Indian style. They pass their knowledge in workshops and courses and can be met at EQUITANA.

Günther Fröhlich

Günter Fröhlich has been training his horses as per "horse training with heart and feeling". Having worked as show rider himself for many years he trains now particularly baroque horses for dressage, driving and show. Together with Messrs. Stübben he will present the training of baroque horses at EQUITANA on "Baroque Horse Day" which will take place on Sunday 21th March, 2009 at 12 a.m.

Michael Geitner

He is considered to be Germany's horse whisperer - Michael Geitner has been affected and encouraged by Monty Roberts. However, he has improved Monty Robert's method and transferred to German problem horses. The individuality created has been fascinating many riders and horse friends.

Gerd Heuschmann

He is one of the most important persons concerning horse's health and welfare. At EQUITANA expertise centre the veterinary Dr. Gerd Heuschmann from Warendorf will give lectures on horse's biomechanics. He will explain in theory and practice how to practice active preventive medicine with the horse by using the traditional training methods. He will give his lectures in hall 1 A from 14th to 16th March and from 19th to 20th March.

Ute Holm

Ute Holm has been German and European Champion several times and she has been one of the pioneers of Western Riding. She has specialized on training horses for Cutting and passes her knowledge in workshops and courses. You can also meet her at EQUITANA's "Western Day" on 19th March, 2009 in hall 7.

Uwe Jourdain and the Brave Summer Riders

Riding without any reins, circus lessons and liberty dressage form a special kind of working with horses. This soft kind of riding and the playful terms with each other is a relief for horse and rider and helps at the same time to strengthen the mutual trust. The internationally successful trainer Uwe Jourdain demonstrates his skills with perfection together with his team Brave Summer Riders at the World Equestrian Fair. His main show horse Massai being already 37 years old still captivates the public. At the fair the Brave Summer Riders will show a neck ring Pas de Deux without saddle.

Kiki Kaltwasser

Horses have become Kiki Kaltwasser's passion and partners for lifetime. The state-approved qualified groom with veterinary training attaches great importance to horse's welfare and its adequate keeping. Her working method has been affected by long stays in Canada and USA where she was trained also by Monty Roberts. Kiki Kaltwasser published many books and works as trainer for dual activation. In 2007 she established the European Horse Academy and she has held also sundry workshops dealing with solving of horse-specific problems and adequate horse keeping.

Phillippe Karl

The French riding master Philippe Karl and his School of Légèreté can be transferred to each riding method which teaches riders to ride their horse violence-free. At EQUITANA the successful author will demonstrate his impressive teaching and training history. Presented by Cadmos publisher.
Foto: Christiane Slawik
 
 

Karin Kattwinkel

At EQUITANA she will be presented every day by Georg Olms publishing. Katrin Kattwinkel studied agricultural sciences in main emphasis of animal breeding and keeping in Bonn ; furthermore, she is qualified professional hoofcare of the German Hoofcare Professionals' Association (GdHK). Her purpose in life has been information about entire connection concerning horse health and the active support for horses and horse owners.
In 2001 she founded the horse training and rehabilitation centre Equo Vadis in Walsrode (Lower-Saxony) where she cooperates with a network of highly qualified experts. In 2005 she founded the teacher's institute for entire horse health.

Ingrid Klimke

She is on top of the World and the current team champion and team Olympic champion for eventing - on EQUITANA, the master in equestrian management Ingrid Klimke will show her skills. Furthermore, she supports the seminars of the German Horse Academy "Improve riding - training offensive of the National Equestrian Federation (FN) by comparing different riding methods and participating in the practical part of the seminar for the expert group amateur trainers of the German Riding and Driving Association.

Peter Kreinberg

Despite of different riding methods the successful Kosmos author has committed himself for horsemanship and also cooperates with the Hanoverian Breeding Association.
On the occasion of this year's EQUITANA he will present his method "The Gentle Touch". He will fully represent his philosophy "The Gentle Touch" at the EQUITANA, describing the way to ease and harmony with the horse.

In different show arenas and at the stand "The Gentle Touch" in Hall 2-E23 he will describe live how it works.

Eckart Meyners

With his 6-point-program developed by himself he helps riders to improve their coordinative skills within short time in order to grant rider's better influence and dialog with the horse. At the equestrian fair Eckart Meyners will demonstrate this procedure with riders being unknown to him.With his 6-point-program developed by himself he helps riders to improve their coordinative skills within short time in order to grant rider's better influence and dialog with the horse. At the equestrian fair Eckart Meyners will demonstrate this procedure with riders being unknown to him. 

Frank Ostholt

In the age of 12 Frank Ostholt asked a small moped motor for Christmas in order to construct a Gocart. Unfortunately, this dream has not become true. Instead of a motor he got a horse named Luzian. This gift, however, has formed the foundation for his rapid riding rise with much success and titles. Frank Ostholt is current World Team Eventing Champion, Team Olympic Champion and head of the Olympic Training Center. You can meet him on the 18th of March on the EQUITANA.

Dr. Nathalie Penquitt

Again and again Nathalie Penquitt knows how to inspire the spectators with various figures of her horses showing top-class dressage lessons and amazing artistic performances together with dogs. Meanwhile, like her father Claus Penquitt, she published her knowledge about groundwork, artistic lessons, lunge, superior recreation, motivation and learning manner in numerous books of Kosmos publisher.

Peter Pfister

For many years Peter Pfister has been away for trainer and courses at home and abroad. He has become famous with his spectacular shows on fairs and equestrian events. Many horse papers but also radio and television have already reported on this. Furthermore, Peter Pfister has been author of the reference book "Ranch-Reiten, eine alte Reitweise neu entdeckt".

Stefan Radtke

Cosmos publisher Stefan Radtke has been a popular dressage trainer. He was successful himself in Grand Prix tests before he started to involve in the sound and non-violent schooling of the traditional dressage and haut école. Stefan Radtke has attached great importance to transfer the profound knowledge of the old riding masters in modern and easily comprehensible form.

Hinrich Romeike

In Hongkong 2008 he has become double gold medallist with his team and individual, but still he has taken a back seat. The successful duo from Holstein Hinrich Romeike and his grey gelding Marius have been the new stars of the eventing scene.

Dr. Britta Schöffmann

The successful Kosmos author Dr. Britta Schöffmann has committed to riding methods according to the training scale. Having received her PhD for sports sciences and being Grand Prix rider, trainer and judge herself she will present her books on EQUITANA. She will demonstrate her skills and her knowledge several times in Hall 6.
Photo: Barbara Schnell

Jochen Schumacher

At the equestrian fair Jochen Schumacher being owner of FS riding centre in Reken will present himself and his concept. The successful trainer who also teaches the method of Linda Tellington Jones will give valuable tips for riding and driving training and can be watched also in EQUITANA expertise centre in hall 1A.

Christine Stückelberger

Christine Stückelberger has been the Swiss Grande Dame of dressage riding and has represented traditional proper dressage riding. Between 1976 and 1988 she won many medals at Olympic Games. She hit the peak of her career when she won the individual gold medal with Granat at the Olympic Games in Montreal in 1976. Today Christine Stückelberger acts as president of the Swiss Association for Dressage Sports and board member of XENOPHON classical riding.

Linda Tellington Jones

Since 1972 Linda Tellington-Jones has taken part in this horse show and we just cannot imagine EQUITANA without her. The native Canadian has not only become famous in Germany with her gentle method to train horses and convince them for cooperation by means of special exercises. Also this year Linda Tellington-Jones and her team will cast her spell over the visitors of EQUITANA. The special riding exercises developed by her (including riding without bridle) and the special equipment shall increase the horse's willingness for cooperation and help him to understand and execute the rider's demands. Linda Tellington-Jones will demonstrate these practical exercises every day at 4 p.m. in the ring of hall 1. Additionally you can see her in the forum of hall 1 at 2 p.m.

Kai Vorberg

He is the star of the German vaulting scene - Supported by his excellent horse „Picasso 202" and his longeur Kirsten Graf, Kai Vorberg has won already almost everything being possible with male vaulting. The official German, European and vice world champion has been well-known far beyond vaulting sports and also in 2008 he recorded numerous victories at international competitions. At EQUITANA he will appear with his Cologne team every day during the daily program in hall 10/11 and in hall 6. You can also meet him personally at the joint stand of Hufenstuhl stud and Pferdesport Wintermühle.

Linda Weritz

After having passed her study in psychology Linda Weritz worked with many famous horse experts abroad e.g. Monty Roberts. In 2003 she returned to Germany and opened up her Monty Roberts Learning Centre in Westphalia. Today the horse communication scientist and passionated rider works according to up-to-date horse-ethnological knowledges and offers horse friends support with her horses' training and behavioral therapy. Presented by Cadmos publishing.
Foto: Christiane Slawik

Isabell Werth

Her success can hardly be put into words. The five times Olympic Champion, six times World Champion, thirteen times European Champion and eight times German Champion has captured people's hearts. Of course you will see her on the EQUITANA.

Kay Wienrich

Since 2005, Kay Wienrich is training the German Reining Team as the national coach. In 2006, the team achieved the 4th place at the world Equestrian Games in Aachen and in 2007, the team could win the European Championships in Mooslargue/ France under his lead. Kay Wienrich presents his great knowledge the first time at EQUITANA for all interested reining-fans. 
 

Rudolf Zeilinger

Rudolf Zeilinger being student of the legendary Willi Schultheis will give valuable advices and information within a dressage lesson. Zeilinger being master in equestrian management is one of Germany 's most successful dressage trainers. Again and again he promotes young dressage horses up to international level. Even abroad he has been famous for success on highest level. Due to his careful and perfect training, also his students are successful regularly - from basic tests up to international Grand Prix level. Having been trainer of the Danish dressage team for many years, he has been substantially responsible for the successes of top dressage riders like Andreas Helgstrand and Lone Jörgensen.

Zeilinger won't only present his dressage lesson in the big arena of hall 6 on 16th of March at 4 p.m. at Stübben Dressage Seminar, but you will also meet him at the EQUITANA stand of Stübben (stand no. 12-A16, 12-A27).

Stars at HOP TOP Show Viamondo

Jean-François Pignon

One day his father André brought along a young mare. This has been the beginning of a special friendship between horse and human being. Till this day Jean-Francois Pignon has trained and improved the ability of his horses. Meanwhile, he has become an internationally celebrated star of the show scene and he has become famous particularly for his performance by liberty horses. At EQUITANA Jean-Francois Pignon can be admired with his horses at HOP TOP Show.

Additional highlights

Marwari Horses

Marwaris are the famous horses from India with their typical scimitar shaped ears. Marwari horses are said to derive from oriental horse breeds such as Arabians or Achal-Teke horses. They are only little muscled and look very brawny. However, Marwari horses have been characterized by tremendous toughness and stamina. They are sure-footed and they hardly develop leg or hoof diseases. The special gait of these horses is called Revaal which is a kind of amble.