Meet the Sport Horse Experts By KAtHerine roBertSon
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SHARED PHILOSOPHIES: Sporthorse experts Scott Hassler (above) and Ingo Pape (right)
ith the exciting new USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum, presented by Dressage at Devon, a USDF education Partner, supported by Hassler Dressage, and hosted by the new england Dressage Association, just around the corner (see “Forum Details” on the facing page), it is time to meet the clinicians. Scott Hassler and ingo Pape are two of the world’s most renowned sport-horse-development experts and educators. Friends and business partners for close to two decades, Hassler and Pape share the same philosophies that were developed when they both trained under the late german dressage master Herbert rehbein. Tese shared philosophies will enhance this unique educational opportunity. named USeF national young-horse dressage coach more than a decade ago, Hassler, of Chesapeake City, mD, is synonymous with young-horse development. Leaving his mark in the industry as a leader, educator, and insightful horseman, he has been a presenter at the 2004 and 2011 USDF national Symposiums and the 2013 Succeed/USDF Fei-Level trainers’ Conference. in 2005 he launched the young Dressage Horse trainers Symposium, an event that allows professionals to focus on the progressive training of young horses to the Fei levels. in the late 1980s, Pape took over his father’s Hanoverian breeding operation and developed Hengststation Pape, Hemmoor, germany, into one of that country’s leading private stallion stations. one of germany’s most respected breeders and horsemen, Pape has a classical style of horsemanship and applies these principles to every horse, stal-
52 July/August 2013 • USDF ConneCtion
lions and young horses alike. Pape thinks like a rider in selecting a sport-horse prospect: not basing his decision solely on conformation and movement but—more important—evaluating the horse’s ridability, willingness to work, lightness in the hand, and athleticism under the saddle. “you must remember [that] the goal of our eforts is a riding horse,” Pape says. USDF Connection caught up with Hassler and Pape during their busy spring schedule. read on for the interview. What does teaching the USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum mean to you? Scott Hassler: i am very excited and honored to teach this forum. Tis has been a program i have passionately been helping to design. Ingo Pape: it is an honor to be asked and my pleasure to share some of my experiences. What do you hope to convey at the forum? SH: i hope to show that every horse is an individual and that their training plan and development needs to be custom-designed for them. IP: Te importance of the basics. to build up a partnership between the horse and rider is needed every day. it continues also in the long run when you have an experienced horse. The two of you have conducted clinics together in the past, including Scott’s Young Dressage Horse Trainers Symposium. How do you play off
uSDF File PHotoS
A Q&A with 2013 USDF Sport Horse Prospect Development Forum clinicians Scott Hassler and Ingo Pape