Henk & Wilma Van Bergen
The following is an excerpt from the USDF website, May 2008:
"Lexington, KY (May 6, 2008) - The United States Dressage Federation
announced today that Henk van Bergen has signed on to be the featured
presenter at the 2009 Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers' Conference to be held
January 18-19, 2009 in Loxahatchee, Florida. Each year, USDF offers a
trainers' conference to those individuals who meet the attendee criteria to
learn training techniques and study with a world class dressage trainer.
Born as the son of a
baker in Nijmegen, Holland, Mr. van Bergen started his career as a groom at
the local riding stable which he now owns and operates with his wife, Wilma.
This stable, Brakkenstein Dressage Stables, serves as the host site of the
Dutch National Championships, and as a home for his and his wife's riding
and teaching.
In addition to becoming a
certified instructor with the Royal Dutch Riding School in 1966, Mr. van
Bergen has coached the Dutch Dressage Team at both the 1972 and 1992 Olympic
Games, the Japanese Dressage Team at the 1988 Olympic Games, and coached
private students at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.
In 1988, he was also appointed the Dutch National Trainer and continues to
give regular clinics in England, the United States, and Spain."
Career Highlights:
- Owns and operates Dressage Stall Brakkenstein in Nijmegen, Holland, host site of the Dutch National Championships
- Trained with Ernest van Loon, George Theodorescu, Piet Oothout & Reiner Klimke
- International Clinician, including England, the United
States and Spain
- Spring 2006, NEDA Spring Clinic & Symposium at Mt. Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA
- Spring 2007, Clinic at Mistover, Pawling, New York
- Dutch Level M Champion at age 16
- 1966 Certified Instructor; Royal Dutch Riding School (Hollandsche Manege)
- 1984 Coached Tineke Bartels at the Los Angeles Olympic Games
- 1988 Coached Japanese Dressage Team at the Seoul Olympic Games
- 1988 Appointed Dutch National Trainer
- 1992 Coached Dutch Dressage Team at the Barcelona Olympic Games; Silver Medal
