Chantal Wigan back at Academy Bartels
12/03/2012
The Australian rider Chantal Wigan is back since February at Academy Bartels, to be trained by Imke to her goal, the London Olympics, to be achieved. Chantal has come several times before to the Netherlands under the training/guidance of Imke .In late 2007 she came for more than a year at the Academy to train here. She then went back to Australia and her horse was left in good hands with Imke. Imke has trained him and then continued on shows afterwards.In May 2010 she again returned to the Academy and has taken over the drive herself. At the end of 2010 she and her horse Ferero returned to Australia where she had been trying to qualify for the selections to the Olympics.
Since February this year Chantal is back in the Netherlands. Why? That she finds an easy question. The method by which the combinations here at Academy Bartels trained impresses her very much. Respect for the horse while riding and the professional care and good facilities for her is very important.
In Australia she has already qualified for the selections to the Olympics and now she wants to continue training and have a foundation in Europe. Together with Imke she is training to prepare for shows and the best possible results. On April 5, she goes to Addington, to get some experience in England. With subsequent selections in Germany on 1 May and 31 May in France. There are eight Australian riders to participate in these selections and Chantal’s intention is that they are confirmed as selected for the Olympics. But she is not nervous, never while riding, as soon as she is with Ferero she is only interested with the ride.
Who is the Super Star?
Ferero is the Equiline photo superstar. Thanks to Britt Woodhead and her team back in Australia I am looking very trendy in Europe and can’t wait for some warmer weather to throw off the outa layers to be seen in my Equiline gear. I was always a one brand rider and reluctant to change but am very happy with the new Equiline-Italia range.
Here at Acadamy Bartels it is a hive of activity and just because we turned up doesn’t change its daily routine. We slot in with several other high performace riders from across the globe. From the corner of the indoor arena the farmilar voice of Imke gives me a quick correction before she returns to another client. I must say the eyes are always on me which is diferent from having to do it all yourself back in Australia. The training here is easy to expain “don;t turn up without your game face”, it is no longer I’ll fix that tomorrow. Training has started and the race is on!
Game on!
Weather is always the conversation for Australians, so the weather up date is “fine and cold” We have had out first lesson which will become many lessons with Imke. I must say it is great to be back at the Academy where the atmosphere is relaxed without pretence (even though there are several gold medals hanging on the walls) , just the place we can get our heads down and get the job done.
From the 30+ temperatures we have been accustomed to in Queensland it was like we had almost forgotten what a European winter can serve up. Almost… but not quite!
It was in the face of the storm that hit Sydney that we were loaded on our flight. Ferero’s crate had one other which gave him a space an a half…you kinda need the extra room when you have to stand so long.
Ferero's flight stable (crate) Oh I have to get loaded with him at the same time, no fancy walkway and no attendant to check your boarding pass
Our Plane
With out too much trouble as IRT have done this sooo many times before we we all loaded and ready for travel. Trust me there is nothing flash about traveling cargo.
My In-flight Movie isn;t working?? Please send someone to get it working and is my dinner on the way??
It was do or die in the World Cup Final which all comes down to the Grand Prix Kur performance on the Saturday night. No excuses and congratulations to Rachel Sanna on their great performance, Well done Rachel and Good Luck in Holland
Here is Equestrian Life’s video of my performance.
It was a great feeling to return to Weribee, Victoria for the World Cup Final 2011. We had been fortunate to be successful here 12 months ago with a win in both the Grand prix and the Grand Prix Kur and we were keen to attempt a double. Our form had been improving since the Nationals in NSW with a solid performance at Equitana in Sydney.
Take a look at our Grand Prix Test
Everyone was asking about my evening wear from the the Saturday night Grand Prix Kur. I was fortunate enough to be wearing the only jacket of it’s kind in Australia from Equiline Italia http://www.equilineitalia.com.au
The latest "Jacket" from Equiline Italia
Britt from Equiline Italia – Australia had her inaugural launch at this years Sydney Equitana 2011. Hot off the press in Italy her clothing line for men and women are just what you would expect from an Italian fashion house. I have worn many competition jackets in my time but this jacket not only looked good straight off the rack it fitted perfectly. It’s fabric allowed me a full range of movement without the restrictions I have been accustomed to from other tailor made and more expensive items. The bonus that we all can appreciate is that this jacket can be washed in a washing machine so think of the savings in drycleaning. I’d say go and track down this new range and look the part in and out of the arena. For myself, I can’t wait for Britt to have her complete range available across Australia.
In late 2007 she came for more than a year at the Academy to train here. She then went back to Australia and her horse was left in good hands with Imke. Imke has trained him and then continued on shows afterwards.
In May 2010 she again returned to the Academy and has taken over the drive herself. At the end of 2010 she and her horse Ferero returned to Australia where she had been trying to qualify for the selections to the Olympics.
