Heike Kemmer Clinic

March 26 - 28, 2010

Over the weekend of March 26-28, over 100 riders and auditors had the honor and pleasure of attending the first West Coast clinic by Olympic gold medalist Heike Kemmer held at the Christiane Noelting Dressage Center in Vacaville, California.  The riders and horses ranged from 3rd level to Grand Prix and included both professionals and amateurs.  Throughout the three days, Heike shared her dedication to correct training, her love of horses and her incredible energy.

photos courtesy of Amelia Gagliano

Heike inherited her passion for horses from her father, a successful breeder and owner of over 40 broodmares on his farm near Hannover, Germany.  Heike grew up in West Berlin and even rode behind the wall on forest trails with her father.  Her partner at the Hong Kong Olympics, Bonaparte, came to the Kemmer stables as a weaned foal and soon proved his aptitude for the dressage ring.  At age 7, Bonaparte had already learned most of the Grand Prix movements. As Heike says on her website, “At home thrifty and shy he builds himself up in the arena and always tries to give all.”  Heike is still showing Bonaparte and is now bringing up several young horses although she recognizes that she and Bonaparte have one of the special relationships that are rare and precious.

Read here what Maureen Lamb, an amateur rider and participant at the Heike Kemmer Clinic, had to say about the weekend with the Olympic gold medalist.

Find out more about Heike Kemmer on her website.