2008 Seminar with Ignacio Bravo (Spain)ANCCE organized conformation and general horsemanship clinics in New Zealand and Australia during December 2008. Continuing with the promition plan and more specifically in reference to clinics held abroad, three such clinics took place overall, which enjoyed the collaboration of the PRE Breeder's Associations of New Zealand (ACPRE NZ Inc.) and Australia (PREAA) as well as that of the breeder and rider Cristina Wilkens, who acted as translator, and Ignacio Bravo, rider, conformation judge and PRE breeder who taught the courses. Participants, made up of breeders and riders, averaging thirty per clinic attended. The first event took place near Christchurch (NZ), at the property of Philip Barrett and Sabina Holle just outside Rangiora on the 6 and 7th of December, while on the 12 and 13th of December the clinic was held in Queensland (Australia) and the 14 and 15th of December in Melbourne (Australia). They were a huge success and those attending were dlighted with all the information provided by Ignacio Bravo. The clinics took place in two parts, one theoretical and the other practical. The contents was adapted to the needs and requirements at each clinic, but bascially covered conformation and the presentation in competitions: the selection, training, handling; and aspects of dressage and general horsemanship. ANCCE is trying to deepen the knowledge about PRE horses and to do this it will during 2009, continue organizing clinics throughout Spain and the world. The purpose of this is to educate breeders and owners about general interest topics in an effort to ensure that the PRE hrose is suitably prepared for greater enjoyment. (Adapted from the ANCCE communication department, Press reslease from 16. January 2009) ANCCE Seminar Review - by Gayle Couch, WhakataneANCCE sent their representative Ignacio Bravo Garcia, a morphology judge and also owner of the Solera Bravo stud in Spain, to Christchurch; he was accompanied by Crstina Fernandez de Valderrama (now Wilkens), acting as translator for a two day clinic kindly hosted by Sabina Holle and Philip Barrett at their new home outside Rangiora. Melanie and Richard James did awesome catering for all attending, making sure they were fed and watered all through the day. The first day covered many of the finer points of conformation and was accompanied by various slides etc. to illustrate the points. Participants were encourage to try and identify good points and faults, themselves. Also there were slides of many of the well known horses from the past, which created much talk as some did not look very much like today's horses. Ignacio told us that there were three different types in the past (used for different purpose) and that is was the mix of these types that had created the horse as we know it today. Genetic diversity has allowed the breed to develop and it is still important to ratin diversity. On Saturday afternoon and most of Sunday we were ouside looking at the real thing, Hanna Galangera, Pachulina, Alma Director and Jaleador de JC III were shown. Ignacio watched and spoke as the owner/handler presented the hose and encouraged the audience to ask questions also. The presentation of the horse in hand, the running up and the canter circles were all explained. How to trim the horse's mane and tail appropriate to age and sex and also to enhance the initial impression on the judge, was covered too. Showing the horse is a bit like a job interview, the first impression is the most important. The ridden functionality test was explained also, this is the show the horse's ability and potential. Ignacio worked with each horse himself both on the ground and ridden, after the owner, to clarify the various points he was making. All in all it was a really good weekend and all for a low cost, as ANCCE and ACPRE NZ paid for the rest. The information and practical demonstrations were excellent and Ignacio was clearly a top notch horseman and showed us how to get the best from different horses and Cristina's translation was clear and informative. |
