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NEWS
FLASH!!!
International Equestrian Federation (FEI) Sends Jayne Ayers on
World Dressage Challenge Tour!
In September, 2006,
Jayne was invited to judge Group 5 of the World Dressage Challenge.
Joined by another International Dressage Judge from Poland, Margaret
Hansen, she traveled to Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Croatia and
Hungary, judging a competition in each country, and then giving a
seminar and riding clinic for the competitors afterwards. The
results from all five countries were then combined, to crown both
team and individual champions for the Group.
It was fascinating
to see how dressage is developing in these countries, and get to
know the wide variety of breeds of horses used for sport there.
Russia had some fabulous Russian-bred dressage prospects competing
at Prix St. Georges level, while Ukraine had more warmbloods
imported from Germany.
Quality of
accommodations and food varied greatly from country to country –
from wonderful to horrific!! But the riders in all countries
were keen to learn, and participated enthusiastically in all
activities. Jayne has lots of good stories to share with her
students.
Jayne has been
invited to go on the 2007 World Dressage Challenge Tour to Group 10,
which includes Antigua, Barbados, Bermuda, Haiti, Jamaica, and
Trinidad……..in February! Though the judging and teaching
are hard work, the warm climate should be a welcome break from
Wisconsin’s winter.
International Dressage Judges Club Meets at the Spanish Riding
School
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As
a member of the International Dressage Judges’ Club, Jayne was
invited to the General Assembly and educational programs held for
several days at the Spanish Riding School (SRS) in Vienna, Austria,
in October of 2008. Since the SRS is right in downtown Vienna, she
was able to stay at a charming small hotel only a block and a half
away. This made walking to museums, shopping, and restaurants easy.
Lovely autumn weather made it a pleasure!
Over 60 judges from many countries attended, and were able to
go to a performance of the world famous Lippizaner stallions on the
weekend as well as attend a morning training session on a weekday
morning. In addition, a special afternoon program about the training
of the stallions was held just for the IDJC members.
Meetings and panel discussions were held in the reception
areas of the SRS, in elegant rooms which were once the apartment of
Col. Alois Podhasky, who was the director of the school for several
decades. A tour of the stables and a chance to meet the stallions
“up close and personal” was a highlight of the experience.
Two lovely dinners were planned for all the judges. One
sponsored by the Austrian National Equestrian Federation, and was
held at an old country “hunting lodge.” It featured traditional
Austrian dishes and lots of wine. The other dinner was at a
historical and very elegant building owned by the city of Vienna,
within walking distance of the Spanish Riding School.
Good food, good company, good horses…..what a wonderful way
to spend several days!
(see photos below)
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Jayne
with Ernst Bachinger, Director of the Spanish Riding
School |
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