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2007 Global Dressage Forum
Frank Kemperman proposes European Championships Series
October 30, 2007
 Dressage sport needs changes. This is what Frank Kemperman
demands, being the Show Director of the CHIO Aachen,
the most renowned equestrian tournament. “Like
it is the case in any other sport, we too should continuously
improve our sport”, Kemperman said in the course
of the “Global Dressage Forum” in Hooge
Mierde/NL on Monday evening. He said that for the general
public, dressage is still a secret today.
Kemperman
stated that clear structures are of great importance.
According to him, these days there are
too many tournaments whose significance is very difficult
to convey to the public. Thus, the World Cup with four
or five events should be emphasized more vigorously
as a clear highlight of the winter season. In summer,
an official series of three or four tournaments should
be established. “This series”, said Kemperman, “could
simultaneously constitute the European Championships."
Furthermore,
Kemperman proposed to shorten the length of the single
rides. A dressage competitor’s
average competition length is 360 seconds – compared
to 70 seconds among the show jumpers. A more compact
form would make the sport more attractive – for
both the audience and the media. According to Kemperman,
also the athletes’ commitment is required. “They
have to advocate their sport as ambassadors also outside
of the dressage arena”, said Kemperman.
Additionally,
in Kemperman’s opinion, dressage
sport needs more top-level stars. “Currently
Anky van Grunsven and Isabell Werth dominate the sport.” To
establish a lead of ten to fifteen athletes, among
other things, a different distribution of prize money
is necessary. More top athletes should be able to live
on their sport, because: “We have too many amateurs,
we need more professionals.”
According to Kemperman,
the FEI World Equestrian Games Aachen 2006 with 40,000
spectators in the dressage
stadium and top TV ratings have shown the enormous
potential of the sport. In order to tap the full
potential, changes are indispensable to Kemperman.
CHIO Press Release
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