Current28 – 01 October
3-Day-Clinic in Sunny Jerez
In the holiday resort "Hacienda El Boyal", founded and managed by Sabine Wesseln and her husband, Heike instructed her students mainly on Spanish horses. "This gives you real holiday feeling. Riders interested who want to spend their vacation in a beautiful setting have a great opportunity on these premises. The surfaces are first-rate and the grounds beautifully designed. Even better, the horses are on a very high training level, ideal conditions for a clinic", said Heike after her stay.
19 – 26 September
Preparation fort he 100-Day-Test of the International Sporthorse Registry/Oldenburg in Ohio
Because of the upcoming 100-day-tests for stallions of the breeding areas Oldenburg and Hanover in the USA, Heike travelled to Ohio for a week. Founded in 1983, the independent association of the International Sporthorse Registry aims at continuing the breeding of European sports horses which has been tried and tested for centuries in the USA as well, as independent and modern breeding lines of horses for show-jumping, dressage and hunting according to European guidelines. For about 25 stallions of the year 2007 five riders from Germany have been employed for three months to prepare the horses for this test. The preparation base was Paxton Farm in Batavia, Ohio where Heike taught the riders and their four-legged candidates. During a symposium Heike judged and commented on the horses and their appearance under the saddle before an interested audience. A two-day-clinic for ten American riders followed.
10 – 22 September
The Licensing Committee of Lower Saxony is on Selection Tour
Since 1998 Heike has been a member of the Licensing Committee and therefore takes part in some of the tour's appointments. On several collective dates in Lower Saxony and Hessen the committee selects from around 800 young studs those who might be considered as possible breeding stallions for the Hanoverian breed. The licensing dates at Niedersachsenhalle in Verden are October 25th and 26th. On the Saturday following the licensed and not licensed young studs will be offered to those interested at the stallion fair.
23 – 26 August
Bonaparte with a Superior Performance in Münster
The tournament of winners in Münster gave Heike and Bonaparte yet another chance to show that they are to be reckoned with. And they put this chance to best use. The pair won the Grand Prix as well as the Grand Prix Special, both times with considerable distance to the places following-up.
10 - 12 August 2007
Dressage Gala in Heroldsberg - Bonaparte on Top Form
The big dressage tournament around Nuremberg has a long tradition. For the 24th time already the big names of the dressage scene get together. This show fitted perfectly with Heike’s schedule. “Moreover the organizers equipped both arenas with new footing. Since they have been considering the wishes of the dressage riders for a long time already, I am convinced that the ground is in excellent condition” Heike said. Even five days of continuous rain didn’t shatter most of the participants. Although the surrounding meadows and stable areas were completely sodden and muddy from the rain, the arenas were at all times absolutely rideable and exemplary. And so Bonaparte could present himself at his best. The two won the GP with 72,62%, followed by Ludwig Zierer and Weltino and Andrea John from Austria with Hermes. The Sunday of the GPS was sunny and warm. But the humid weather didn’t seem to impress Boni much. With 73,80% the pair won again before Ludwig Zierer and Anders Dahl from Denmark. “I’m very glad that I started again here after some year’s break. The organisation is just right here, the warmth, everything. And most of all I’m happy that Bonaparte could prove with two victories what good form he is in. And also my 8-year-old youngster Quantico who started in the small Tour showed with third and fourth places that we’re on the right track with his training” was Heike’s concluding judgment of the show.
27 - 29 July 2007
German Championships in Gera – Will It Be the Ticket to the European Championships?
After the long break following the World Championships in Aachen, Heike and her Bonaparte started fort he first time in Gera. This year not only the championship was at stake but also the ticket for the European Championship in Turin. In the first of three tests, the GP, they gave a good performance but all in all presented themselves a little too cautious and reserved. Place 5 was the result. “I didn’t stretch him as much as I should have, and due to the spectators who stood close to the arena and were “armed” with umbrellas. But I’m convinced that we can improve significantly.” Was Heike’s statement after the ride. In the GPS they veriffeid this estimation and in the GP freestyle on Sunday the pair entered the arena with their usual security. They finished the championship in place 4 of the women’s rating, but the ticket to Turin was given to Monica Theodorescu ans Whisper by the dressage committee. Heike and Bonaparte were nominated as substitutes.
