New Dressage Academy Launched to Find Future Stars

New Dressage Academy Launched to Find Future Stars

A Christchurch-based former international equestrienne is on a mission to ensure talented young Kiwi dressage riders have every opportunity to make it to the top.

British dressage representative Brugs Nicholls is part of an initiative to launch the Dressage Academy where talented young riders will be trained and supported to top level.

“The aim of the academy is to provide those riders with the opportunity to become New Zealand’s next generation of international stars,” says Nicholls. “Our focus is on talent and with the costs of training and horse covered, we will open the door to those who may not usually have access to either.”

On graduation, riders will not only be able to train other horses to FEI Grand Prix (Olympic level) but also to coach other budding young dressage stars, passing their knowledge to up-and-coming riders.

All of their training, as well as the horsepower, is fully funded by the Dressage Academy, through sponsors, benefactors and grants, with the Academy timetable structured to allow riders to also attend university or work.

Each young rider will be partnered with one of the Academy's young horses for the five or more years it will take to bring a horse through to Grand Prix level, and they’ll need plenty of tenacity and dedication to stay on course, according to Nicholls.

The Dressage Academy will follow her development programme, integrating the best of her mentor's methods from the Spanish Riding School, with systems and techniques used by many of the top international competitors and trainers today.

Every dream needs a team and to make the Dressage Academy a reality, sponsors and benefactors are needed to partner with Nicholls on her journey to develop New Zealand's talent.

For more information, head to www.dressageacademy.co.nz .

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