Equidays has announced Olympic medallist and coach Albert Voorn as an international clinician at New Zealand’s Premier Equine Event, running 14-16 October 2016.
Known for his simple and straightforward approach to teaching, Voorn is an eccentric and outspoken personality who is known for achieving amazing results.
“We’re thrilled to have Albert at Equidays this year,” says Ammie Hardie, Equidays event manager.
“His breadth of experience and depth of knowledge will be a credit to the event and its visitors.”
Voorn’s approach to training and riding his own horses saw him claim the individual silver medal position aboard his renowned difficult Dutch Warmblood stallion Lando at the Sydney Olympics.
Not the easiest of horses and turned down by many top Danish riders, Lando was eventually placed in the capable hands of Voorn, who was chosen not only for his competition record but for his approach to working with his horse.
Known for his intuition and empathy with his horses, Voorn is a man who loves his job, frequently complimenting his pupils and interspersing his sessions with positive reinforcements.
“I think the only right way of riding, the only correct way, is the way that respects the natural functioning of the human being and the animal. At the moment that you respect that, the problems you run into are very, very little. There are no problems, there are only solutions,” says Voorn.
Equidays is also proud to welcome top New Zealand dressage rider and trainer Vanessa Way as a clinician.
Having represented New Zealand numerous times, Way has her sights set very firmly on representing New Zealand again. She currently holds the Level 2, 3 and 4 titles for the North Island Championships, the New Zealand National Championships and Horse of the Year.
Her pupils are also finding similar success, with titles that include Young Rider of the Year, NZ Young Rider Champion Level 6/7 and Level 5 Horse of the Year. Mostly recently, her star eventing pupil and Olympic team member Clarke Johnstone finished in ninth place after the dressage at Badminton, which placed him as the highest Kiwi in a classy field.
Way will be taking a range of dressage clinics at Equidays, where her enthusiastic manner will keep visitors entertained, while inspiring them to be the best rider they can be.
Equidays is an annual national equine event, held at Mystery Creek Events Centre, 14-16 October.