Elizabeth Niemi, a well established FEI dressage competitor and trainer of Niemi Dressage, rode with Klaus Balkenhol, Chef d’Equipe for the United States Dressage Team, in the 2008 International Dressage Symposium, at Maplewood Warmbloods Farm on October 18 and 19th. This is a two-day United States Dressage Federation (USDF) University accredited symposium headlined with three of the world’s dressage masters.

A multiple gold medal winner for the German Dressage team, Balkenhol has taken the US Team to a considerable number of Team medals under his direction. They include a Gold at both the 2003 and 2007 Pan American Games, a Silver at the 2002 World Equestrian Games, a Bronze at the 2004 Olympic Games and the 2006 World Equestrian Games.
“Each time I ride with Klaus,” said Niemi, “I prepare myself to learn something new. Olympic gold medalists rapidly concentrate on incorrect results with lightening speed and perception. Klaus corrects with clarity, sensitivity and never misses a thing.” Niemi considered the first time she trained with Balkenhol a “turning point in her career.”


Niemi also rode as a demonstration rider for the esteemed clinician, Gerd Heuschmann, DVM. Heuschmann is a world-class dressage competitor and top veterinarian who has also written several books on equine biomechanics.

Balkenhol’s translator and moderator for the symposium discussion, Ron Postleb, also responsible for choosing the horse and rider combinations in this celebrated symposium said, “I have known Elizabeth Niemi for eight years. She is a lovely rider and rode the perfect horse to make the biomechanics come to life.”

Niemi again demonstrated her riding acumen under the direction of Colonel Christian Carde (I) who is a judge, former Olympian and international competitor from France. He was the head trainer at Saumer from 1991 to 1999 and recently started the Allege-Ideaal, an organization focused on the correct and ethical training of the dressage horse.

Niemi performed the demonstration rides on up and coming dressage horses, Kosmos and Sting. Kosmos, is a rapidly rising grand prix prospect owned by Dawn Bernardo, and Sting, is a striking and talented KWPN gelding purchased in Holland by Niemi and sponsored by Oakcroft Trunks and Stable Accessories.

Riding with Klaus Balkenhol, followed by the honor of riding as the demonstration rider at the International Dressage Symposium was the perfect way for Niemi to wind down her summer season. In November Niemi Dressage will migrate south to the Equestrian Club in Wellington Florida for the prestigious winter dressage circuit. She conducts and participates in clinics regularly while maintaining a rigorous show schedule for both herself and her clients. For more information on Elizabeth Niemi visit: Who’s Who on www.dressagedaily.com.

Elizabeth Niemi and Kosmos, with an equine skeleton painted on, exhibit the biomechanics of performing dressage moves as Klaus Balkenhol instructs.

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