The Danish Equestrian Federation has renewed all contracts with its three team trainers. Rudolf Zeilinger, Jon D. Pedersen, and Vibeke Degn Andersen have all assisted in the achievement of a team bronze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games, European Junior/Young Riders Championships and European Pony Championships.
Under the supervision of team coach Rudolf Zeilinger the Danish Grand Prix team won the bronze team medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Hong Kong. His contract has been extended for another four-year period until the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
"I'm very happy that the contract has been renewed because we have a very good co-operation," Rudolf Zeilinger said. "The next years we want to keep hold of Denmark's position as one of the leading dressage nations. We have as clear goal to win another medal both at the World Equestrian Games and Olympic Games."
Junior and Young rider team trainer Jon D Pedersen won two team bronze medals at the 2008 European Championships in Portugal. Goal for next year is to bring home more medals at the Nordic Championships and 2009 European JR/YR Championships in Ermelo, The Netherlands.
"This year was really promising with an especially good young riders' team, " Jon Pedersen said. "The juniors follow up on the pony riders and still need to develop themselves more. But that will definitely be accomplished too! Our ambition is of course win more medals next year. I think we have a really good set up for the juniors and young riders with the ECCO cup shows, but also with the team training sessions and talent scoutings. It is most definitely very special to get a team medal, but you need a team of 3 to 4 riders who can ride very consistently. In Germany and Holland, on which we lean on, everything is highly disciplined. This does not totally fit into the Danish mentality, but we want to accomplish it a different way, namely with good team spirit!"
Pony team trainer and chef d'equipe Vibeke Degn Andersen is very happy about the team bronze medal they won at the European Pony Championships last summer. She has the ambition to continue this good line and win more medals at the Nordic Championships and 2009 European Pony Championships in Moorsele, Belgium.
Photos copyrighted: Astrid Appels/Eurodressage
Related Links
Coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games
Coverage of the 2008 European Junior/ Young Riders Championships
Coverage of the 2008 European Pony Championships