Dressage Fans in for a Double Treat at EQUITANA!

Dressage fans are in for a double treat at EQUITANA Sydney in November.  This year the Specialist Dressage Clinic will be presented dually by the Dressage super stars from Holland, Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud.

Edward,who began riding at fourteen, trained at Rein van der Schaft before moving to Anky van Grunsven’s yard, where he believes he achieved his greatest success under the extra care of Anky’s husband, Sjef.   Since 1999, he has taken part in international games and trained four Grand Prix level horses to achieve fine scores.   With Geldnet Lingh, Edward finished second at the 2005 World Cup Finals in Las Vegas and won team silver at the 2005 European Championships and at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.  In fact, Edward and Lingh became formidable competition for his trainer Anky, as he won both tests during the trials for the Olympic Games and, to top it all off, the following June won his first Dutch championship with Geldnet LIngh.

But the best was yet to come.  At the final World Dressage Masters competition of the year in 2009, Edward and the magnificent son of Gribaldi, Moorlands Totilas, broke Anky’s world record score in the Grand Prix freestyle with a huge score of 89.4% and the combination received a standing ovation from the crowd!  This partnership went on to break their own records repeatedly and it was no surprise to see Edward and Totilas in the medals at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky in 2010, winning the gold for the Dutch team as an individual.  Sadly, Totilas was sold to a German Breeder and their meteoric partnership ended in 2010.

Despite losing his incredible partner, Edward Gal was still dominant on the grand prix circuit in 2010 with Gribaldi sired, Sisther de Jeu, and at Olympia the pair came third in both the qualifier and the kur and he received a rapturous welcome back from the crowd.  Edward went on to win the sixth leg of the 2010/2011 World Cup Dressage series with his new starring partner, Sisther de Jeu.

Hans Peter first came into contact with horses when he was six and it soon became clear this passion for them was more than just a passing hobby!  He spent every moment in the stables and although the “horse world” was totally unfamiliar to his family, they gave him their support.

At sixteen Hans Peter approached Anky van Grunsven to see if he could work with her in the school holidays and she agreed.  He began working for her and in 1994 Hans Peter accompanied Anky to Den Haag where the World Equestrian Games were taking place.  When Anky won a gold medal with Bonfire, he found it so emotional and knew for certain that he wanted to make his career in the equestrian world.  Over the next few years, Hans Peter then set about the task of acquiring a great deal of experience, by working at various sporting stables, including the prestigious Bollvorm and Gertjan van Olst’s stud farm. 

In 2003 he decided it was time to branch out on his own and with help from the stallions, “Painted Black” and “Rubels”, he established a stable and his name.  Since then, Stal Minderhoud has built up a solid name and reputation in the international training world and Hans Peter enjoys both training and riding young horses, as well as riding at Grand Prix level.

Hans Peter’s list of achievements is impressive and continuing and includes: four world champion titles, several National titles, six times Pavo Cup champion, European Gold and Olympic team silver in 2008 for Holland.   In 2010 he was part of the gold medal winning Dutch team at the World Equestrian Games in Kentucky, scoring 72.25% with the magnificent mare, Equis Nadine, despite her fall the day before and grazed knees!

The wealth of experience that Edward and Hans Peter bring to the training arena as individuals is invaluable, but this depth of experience combined, is nothing short of staggering.  They frequently work together to support each other through training and riding and now, for the first time,  Equitana dressage enthusiasts have the chance to be a part of  this experience.

CLICK HERE to visit the Equitana site and find out more about this exciting event.  Further information about the dressage clinic will be provided soon .

Click below for more information about Edward Gal and Hans Peter Minderhoud at their official websites.

Edward Gal

Hans Peter Minderhoud