Strule Valley Dressage Training with Dale Roberts
Strule Valley Riding Club Est 1997 have planned a number of dressage training dates with Dale Roberts.
The sessions are planned for January 2014 on Wednesday 15th, 22nd, 29th at the RDA, Arvalee, Omagh
Private, Semi-Private & Group lessons available (3-4 in lesson)
If you are interested…
Please ring Alison Donnell on 82 246652
About Dale
Dale is originally from Yorkshire, but now lives at Killinchy, Co Down. He left Yorkshire in 1988 and went to Pembroke in Wales to work with Mainport Equestrian, where he undertook a two year training course to do BHS exams, ARBS, grooms certificate and diploma. He completed the course in 18 months and was awarded student of the year.
On completion of exams, Dale focused on flatwork and chose to learn dressage with the Germans, who were world leaders in the sport. He worked as a groom and young horse rider for National level trainer, Hartwig Burfend and received training.
Dale then travelled to Hereford to work with David and Sorena Pencus at Sheepcote Equestrian and Stud, where among many other tasks, he was trained in the advanced dressage movements, doing changes, piaffe and such movements.
Dale then got a job with Ferdi Eilberg and worked as rider and assistant trainer for several years, managing Ferdi’s yard, teaching students and training horses belonging to clients, such as Mary King and William Fox Pitt. Dale also rode a horse called ‘Timerland’ for Michael McKoe, who has been quite influential in dressage circles and has himself trained horses to Grand Prix level. With Ferdi, Dale rode and trained all the horses from Novice to Grand Prix level, he has also competed up to Prix St George level.
Dale is quick to point out that if horses are really supple for flatwork, they will do a better job when jumping. In Germany, even at Riding Club level, they compete in showjumping and dressage – but riders have to pass a test in both in order to compete! Their emphasis is on all-round ability, not just jumping.
Dale is very keen to help riders from all disciplines to achieve this all-round ability and, ultimately, their goals in their chosen discipline.
