The Royal Dutch Equestrian Federation has appointed double World Champion four-in-hand driving Tjeerd Velstra as national driving coach and trainer. The Dutch Federation herewith takes a big step forward in professionalizing the Dutch driving teams.
Velstra will be responsible for all driving teams, both horses and ponies, singles, pairs and teams. He will train them and is responsible for the selections for the international driving competitions and World Championships, where he will also be the chef d’équipe. Velstra is also in charge of composing the ‘kaders’ and he will closely follow the development of the drivers and their horses. He will also regularly contribute to courses for judges and course designers.
The former four-in-hand driver is looking forward to his new job: ‘I have thought about accepting this function for a long time, but I see it as an enormous challenge and I am ready to go for it. I have already planned 31 central trainings but I think this number will increase during the season. The best drivers get to go to the World Championships and I will do everything I can to help them become the best.’ Velstra will closely cooperate with a team of professionals, existing of a veterinarian, a farrier and a mental coach.
The Dutch Federation is aiming to take the carriage driving sport in the Netherlands to a higher level by appointing the national driving coach. One of the goals is to win individual and team gold at the FEI World Four-in-hand Driving Championship in Beesd in 2008.
In 2007, the Dutch Federation will be represented at the World Championships for ponies and horse pairs. Ad Aarts and Hans Ditzel will, under the supervision of Velstra, remain responsible for training and escorting the pony turnouts. Velstra is determined to win medals at every World Championship where the Dutch Federation is represented.
After a successful career as a jumping rider, Velstra moved on to the four-in-hand driving sport in 1976. He became individual World Champion twice, in 1982 and 1986, where he also strongly contributed to the Duch golden team medal. From 1974 to 1995 Velstra was the director of the equestrian school in Deurne. After he ended his active driving career in 1996, he remained active as trainer, instructor, judge and official. Velstra played as President of the Jury or FEI official an important role at many prestigious international driving events and World Championships. By accepting his new job of national driving trainer and coach, Velstra will no longer be available as a judge and official.
source: Hoefnet.com
