The United States Dressage Federation (USDF) announced that Henk van Bergen has signed on to be the featured presenter at the 2009 Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference to be held January 18-19, 2009, in Loxahatchee, FL. Each year, USDF offers a trainers’ conference to those individuals who meet the attendee criteria to learn training techniques and study with a world-class dressage trainer.

Born as the son of a baker in Nijmegen, Holland, van Bergen started his career as a groom at the local riding stable, which he now owns and operates with his wife, Wilma. This stable, Brakkenstein Dressage Stables, serves as the host site of the Dutch National Championships, and as a home for his and his wife’s riding and teaching.

In addition to becoming a certified instructor with the Royal Dutch Riding School in 1966, van Bergen has coached the Dutch Dressage Team at both the 1972 and 1992 Olympic Games, the Japanese Dressage Team at the 1988 Olympic Games, and coached private students at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, CA. In 1988, he was also appointed the Dutch National Trainer and continues to give regular clinics in England, the United States and Spain.

Kathie Robertson, Senior Programs and Education Coordinator, stated, “It is with great pleasure that the USDF is bringing such a renowned trainer and clinician to this year’s trainers’ conference.”

For more information on the 2009 Succeed/USDF FEI-Level Trainers’ Conference, please contact the USDF office at [email protected] or at (859) 971-2277.