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"I have been riding all my life and began riding dressage in the early 1990's. I started attending Rick's clinics in new Mexico, in 2002, with my semi-retired 4th level/Prix St. Georges Arabian.
Although I have studied with a number of dressage trainers, Rick was the first to teach me the real foundations of dressage, and over the years has helped me close the key gaps in my knowledge and skills.
He began working with my American Holsteiner, Cagney, in 2004. Cagney was a very late maturing horse, looking and acting like a 4 year old when he was 8. Work under a previous trainer had not helped and he seemed "stuck" as permanently immature and not able to get solidly into 2nd level. In 2008, I sent Cagney to New Jersey to be in full-time training with Rick.
During his time with Rick, Cagney finally matured into the beautiful, powerful, capable dressage horse you see here. He came home to New Mexico and I resumed showing him here in Region 5.
I continue to get comments from long time fellow riders:
'Wow, Cagney looks great!'
'Cagney looks so powerful and supple.'
'I always thought he was nice, but now he looks like he will go to FEI!'
Cagney is earning his 2nd level qualifying scores easily, and should place well by year's end, with 3rd level in easy reach.
My rider scores have going from 5 and 6 to 7.
I am delighted with the results we both have achieved with Rick. We will continue to work with him at his clinics and continue to move up.
If you have a horse that needs to make a break through, send him to Rick."
~ Maureen Baca, New Mexico
Adult Amateur |
In 2001 I had the opportunity to meet Mr. Rick Klaassen. By that time I had already heard about him, and the regular dressage clinics that he continually performed in Portugal, but we hadn't yet had the chance to meet each.
By this time I was a non professional rider, not very talented, with a horse without great potential, and besides that I didn´t have economical resources that would make me a desirable student/rider; so, I was not the type of student/rider that a trainer usually wish to have. This situation created in me a lot of doubts about the worth in participating in a dressage clinic with such a well known trainer, because, in the first place, I didn´t know if I had the requested level to participate, and, in second place, if it would be worth-full, because of what I described before, it would be very possible that he would not pay me too much attention.
However, in 2002 I wrote up for Mr. Rick Klassen's dressage clinic, and in good time I did, for, at the end of the first lesson all my doubts had vanished, and in effect, Mr. Klassen revealed himself to be a dedicated, hard working, and equipped with a know-how and experience that enabled me to believe in my horse, and gain a work methodology, which quickly produced very positive results, bring me the sense of accomplishment and great satisfaction.
Some of my friends told me to - give-up on my horse, that he wasn't worth the effort, for he would never go very far... However Mr. Rick Klassen's reply was simply "if you don't have another, why not bet on this one! Let's get to work, and the results will soon appear."
From that day on, we have worked together regularly, every year we've had 4 to 5 clinics in Portugal, and 2 consecutive weeks of training in Germany. During these times of training and competition, I have experienced moments of sheer joy, and a wonderful feeling of "a job well done " and even, " better is impossible" and sometimes "(...) well maybe it’s not worth the effort", "maybe this level is too difficult for us..", " will we make it? ", and during all these moments of joy and doubt, I never forgot one of Mr. Klassen`s sentences - "lets continue working, and more results will come..."
I must confess that, when I first went to Rick's clinic, my main goal was to learn how to teach my horse in doing flying changes. It may appear a little low on ambition, but believe me it wasn't.
Today, 7 years later, me and the very same horse have already achieved many placing at Prix St. Jorge, and are currently competing at Grand Prix level. Besides this the same horse competed simultaneously from 2003 to 2006, with a young student of mine, having won 3 national championships (infant and juvenile), all this made possible due to Mr. Klassen's professionalism, commitment and dedication, and it has been a true honor for me.
There was this one episode which i mustn't leave out: in 2005 another horse was lent to me, and 2 years later, following Rick's same methodology, and work discipline we where qualified to compete in Verden - Germany, for the "World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses". Besides the good results, it is very rewarding and gratifying to hear different vets and quiropractores saying that the horses I ride are well muscled and in great physical form.
For this and much more, it is impossible not to acknowledge Mr. Rick Klassen's merit, quality, results and true professionalism, and highlight how thankful I am for his dedication and friendship which has accompanied me, and which has allowed me to reach goals I never dreamed possible.
Thank you Rick"
Portuguese version
"Em 2001 tive a oportunidade de conhecer o Sr. Rick Klaassen. Eu já tinha ouvido falar do seu nome e das frequentes clínicas que vinha ministrando em Portugal, mas ainda não tinha surgido a oportunidade de nos conhecermos.
Eu era um cavaleiro amador, não muito talentoso, com um cavalo sem grande potencial e para além disso não possuía meios económicos que tornassem um aluno desejável; assim, não era propriamente o tipo de aluno que normalmente um treinador ambiciona. Esta situação fazia com que tivesse muitas dúvidas sobre se valeria a pena participar num estágio com um treinador de renome, pois, em primeiro lugar, não sabia se teria nível suficiente e, em segundo, se seria proveitoso, pois, em função do que atrás descrevi, era possível que não me fosse concedida muita atenção.
Porém, em 2002 inscrevi-me num estágio do Sr. Rick Klaassen, e em boa hora o fiz, pois no fim da primeira aula todas as minhas dúvidas tinham desaparecido, efectivamente, o Sr. Rick Klaassen revelou-se dedicado, empenhado, possuidor de um know-how e experiência que me permitiu acreditar no meu cavalo e ganhar uma forma e método de trabalho que se veio a confirmar proveitosa e compensadora.
O cavalo que levei ao estágio de 2002 tinha-me sido emprestado por um criador no ano de 2000; era um cavalo cuja conformação, a mecânica e a força não eram as mais adequadas para quem procura obter algum resultado na dressage.
Vários amigos me disseram - “desiste desse cavalo”, “não vale a pena”, “nunca chegarás muito longe” -, porém a posição do Sr. Rick Klaassen sempre foi, “Se não tens outro, porque não apostar neste! Vamos trabalhar e os resultados vão aparecer”.
A partir desse primeiro estágio trabalhamos em conjunto de uma forma regular, cada ano tivemos entre 4 a 5 estágios em Portugal e 2 semanas consecutivas de treino na Alemanha.
Durante este tempo de treinos e competições vivenciei momentos de intensa alegria, de sentimento de missão cumprida e de melhor é impossível, mas também outros onde disse, “ provavelmente não vale a pena”, “talvez este nível seja já difícil para nós” , “será que conseguimos?” , mas em todos estes momento uma frase era sempre repetida pelo Sr. Rick Klaassen “(…) vamos continuar a trabalhar e mais resultados vão aparecer”.
Posso confessar que, quando fui ao primeiro estágio o meu objectivo era conseguir ensinar aquele cavalo a fazer uma passagem de mão. À primeira vista parece pouco ambicioso, mas acreditem que não era.
Hoje, a 7 anos de distância, eu e esse mesmo cavalo já obtivemos várias classificações em Prix St. George e estamos actualmente a competir em nível GP, para além disto, nos anos de 2003 a 2006 este cavalo competiu, em simultâneo, com um aluno meu tendo ganho 3 campeonatos nacionais (iniciados e juvenis), tudo isto devido ao profissionalismo, empenho, dedicação e um enorme altruísmo que tive a honra de receber Sr. Rick Klaassen.
Existe ainda outro episódio que não posso deixar de relatar: no ano de 2005 outro cavalo foi-me emprestado e, 2 anos depois, seguindo o mesmo método e disciplina de trabalho, sempre seguido pelo Sr. Rick Klaassen, independentemente da distância a que este se encontrasse, obtive o apuramento e competi no World Breeding Championships for Young Dressage Horses em Verden - Alemanha.
Para além dos bons resultados obtidos, é ainda reconfortante ouvir diferentes veterinários e quiropatas dizerem que os cavalos que monto se encontram em óptima forma física e clínica.
Por tudo isto, é impossível não reconhecer o mérito, qualidade, resultados e profissionalismo do Sr. Rick Klaassen, e salientar o quanto agradecido lhe estou pela forma dedicada, empenhada e amiga com que sempre me tem acompanhado, e que me tem permitido alcançar resultados que jamais pensei serem possíveis.
Obrigado Rick."
~ Fredrico
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Fredrico |
