~ Other European References ~ ABOUT PERFECT FOOTING AND HOOFGRID: You may have seen HoofGrid and Perfect Footing at the Americana Reidsport in Augzburg, Germany. The previous year (2005), both were also used exclusively at the Annual Fest der Pferde, held in Vienna to commemorate the centennial of Mozart's passing (a "hometown boy," his concertos are favorite music for competitions and shows worldwide). This spring at the Equitana, . . . and just last week in Austria at the FEI-sponsored competition: they had 72 hours of torrential rainfall, right up to the morning of the first day. The outdoor arena as "perfect" within an hour of the torrent stopping.
The FEI officials were "shocked and dumbfounded," expecting to cancel the opening day events or postpone for 24 hours. Instead, they used the best riding surface available in the world. Letters, articles & TV News videos to follow . . .
When I asked Joachim Laengle, the owner of Pro-Equus in Austria, "Joe, do you have anyone in Europe that would give us a letter-of-recommendation for the grids, as well as for the Perfect Footing? You know, somebody that Americans might have heard of, or read about?"
Joe started rattling off "a few respected horsemen in Europe," that he assured us would give a product recommendation to any American who telephoned them. Here are the ones I could scribble down, do you recognize any of them?
Joe suggested, "Call any of the following, and ask any of them about Pro-Equus, Ecoraster, or Pro-Flex, etc. They will provide a recommendation over the telephone. Call Christine or George Wahl, or Vanja Babic, Tina, or call Kronsteiner if you can find him at home." (Rudi happens to be the 2005 International Champion of the NRHA - rodeo's "National Reining Horse Association"), and so on . . .
Georg Wahl: Joe's neighbor in Austria (now in his 80's, he also is the Former Director of the most-prestigious Spanish Riding School, Retired)
Joe's neighbor in Austria (now in his 80's, he also is the Former Director of the most-prestigious Spanish Riding School, Retired)About Georg: "George Wahl should be blessed for life. If his knowledge disappears, the equestrian world and Belgium will suffer a great loss." [sic]
Source: Dressage Daily at >> http://www.dressagedaily.com/1998/dd_199810/dd_19981014.html
About his clinics: http://www.junior-riders.com/news/belgium/2000/wahl_april.html
Christine Stückelberger: a regular visitor at George's place down the road (George Wahl is Christine's mentor).
a regular visitor at George's place down the road (George Wahl is Christine's mentor). Christine is also, a 5-time Olympic medalist in Equestrian Events, and 4-time world championship medalist.
Also read her short-bio at: "Great Olympians - Biographies" http://users.skynet.be/hermandw/olymp/biost.htm#UCC
Christine Stückelberger
Born: 1947-05-22, Switzerland
Olympic Equestrianism - Dressage (1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)
Individual Olympics Medals:
Gold in 1976
Bronze in 1988
Vanja Babic: a good friend of Joe's (also, the supervisor/trainer at a Lipizzan breeding and training center, "about 300 head of Lip's" Joe said).
a good friend of Joe's (also, the supervisor/trainer at a Lipizzan breeding and training center, "about 300 head of Lip's" Joe said).
~ Western Reining Horses in Europe ~
Western Reining Horses in Europe ~ TINA KÜNSTNER: Member of the Austrian National Team (also, owns a QH breeding ranch in Oregon, where she spends "about one month per year" Joe said). Tina's Jac-Point Quarters dominate the NRHA rankings in Europe.
Member of the Austrian National Team (also, owns a QH breeding ranch in Oregon, where she spends "about one month per year" Joe said). Tina's Jac-Point Quarters dominate the NRHA rankings in Europe.WEB article about Tina: www.jac-point.com/artikel-9-55-254-8.html
Pictures of Tina in action: www.jac-point.com/artikel-9-55-253-8.html
Austrian Contact info:
Jac Point Quarters - Tina Künstner-Mantl und Klaus Mantl - A-6631 Lermoos / Tirol, Austria
Tel +43(0)664-3223819 || Fax +43(0)5673-4101