Dear Rita,
Kyra Kyrklund has become a legend in her own lifetime in our world of dressage. She has not only trained and competed 14 Grand Prix horses at the highest international level, but she has also participated in six Olympic Games, four World Equestrian Games, six World Cup Finals and six European Championships.
Educated in Scandinavia and Germany, Kyra’s training method combines the core elements of the German and Swedish systems with her own unique techniques. In 1998, she moved to England with her husband, Richard White, with whom she runs a training business in West Sussex.
I have learned a lot from Kyra and Richard both on and off the horse. They are two people who have always been incredibly generous toward me with advice and help. Even before I asked Richard to coach me through some of my bigger shows last summer, I had already “stolen with my eyes” while watching Kyra train her horses at many mutual shows. She always looked out for me and never failed to comment when she had seen improvements in a test or a warm-up.
Kyra is a giver in many ways. I have seldom come across a person in this business with such integrity and pure dedication to the sport. She is not afraid to speak up for what is right and over the years has been the greatest riders’ advocate in this sport.
As a member of the IDRC, I am proud to have Kyra as our new Vice President. In this crucial time of controversial topics and pending decisions, I believe her strong leadership and clear voice will be respected at the highest level.
The following is a short video interview from the World Cup Final in Den Bosch last week. I apologize for all the background noise!! Hear what Kyra has to say about how dressage has touched her life…
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I’m Catherine Haddad, and I’m sayin it like it is from Vechta, Germany.
Training Tip of the Day: Can you get your horse to carry more weight on his inside hind leg in a working pirouette by counter bending him?
