* Cavour and Franzi van Bruggen March 2004 You will have seen these names more and more often lately, as their successes increase. Here is a little written by Franzi which is reprinted from an article in “Impulsion” by kind permission of the Editor. “Cavour” is an 8 and a half year old Holsteiner Gelding, currently competing in the Advanced level. He was bred by Egli Hubert in Switzerland and his breeding is Calando / Quinta vom Gasshof. Esther Tuor (the horse’s owner) bought him as a stallion at an auction. She wanted him schooled in dressage and sent him to a training. He was found to be very difficult on the ground and soon sussed out the working students and stable hands. He dumped one rider after another, resulting in him starting a tour of various training stables, with little success. In the end one of his last trainers in Switzerland suggested that he be turned out which was done. Around this time my father, Melle van Bruggen, visited Esther and she asked him for his advice with her difficult horse. He told her that he knew just the person that would be able to handle him, and, to cut a long story short, he arrived in Blenheim, at my training school in June 2000.I spent the first three weeks at the end of a lunge line and 6 months later we started our competition career at the 2 day Nelson Preliminary Championships. Unfortuately, soon after this, his career was cut short by him pulling his check ligament, which put him out for six months. Through the experience I have had training at my father’s stables in California, I realised that his basic trouble was that he was very behind the leg, in addition to being very stubborn and strong-willed. Having a similar nature we instantly clicked. My classical training, with the emphasis on lots of transition work has corrected the basic fault and we have never looked back. A little about myself: I generally describe myself as a professional equestrian bum who is totally passionate about my sport and the well being of all animals. As a List 1 Coach, dressage is my life, and my days are taken up by schooling horses, coaching and training other riders, training for my own competition career and caring for three horses, two dogs, three cats, two pigeons, my daughters Kayla (12), Tessa (8) and my boyfriend Tim. My goal for Cavour is to represent New Zealand internationally and I really feel that we have the ability, determination and sportsmanship to do this country proud. Competitions will always be my first passion and when I am at an event I am totally focused. I am also a naturally shy and private person and I know the combination of these traits hasn’t let me always be known for my tactfulness. However over the years I have learnt not to be too sensitive about minor issues. I love life and look forward to the future. -Franzi van Bruggen