Nine riders from Denmark, Belgium, Latvia and Germany braved the corona pandemic - and came to Riesenbeck for the fifth edition of the Longines World Equestrian Academy Summer Camp 2020. The fear of the show jumpers that the international clinic led by Ludger Beerbaum and Tadahiro Hayashi could still be canceled was unfounded. "We complied with the safety and hygiene standards, this time the focus was on riders from Europe. We also focused on sport, expanded the training program and largely avoided the field trip program,” says project manager Agnès Weltmann about this year's strategy.

This change in the daily program during the week of the course both delighted the participants and brought the organizers to the conclusion that it was "the best clinic we have ever organized". There was daily group training with three riders each, which gave each rider sufficient opportunity to school and train their horse a little more under supervision. Inexperienced horses up to advanced level show jumpers and even internationally successful show jumpers were there. In the afternoon, Imke Schlömer's courses in equestrian fitness and seat coaching with video analysis focused on improving balance and coordination.

A real highlight for the show jumpers were the one-on-one lessons with Sebastian Heinze, the national coach of the U25 dressage riders. The initial fear of the unfamiliar dressage lesson was unfounded: Sebastian Heinze picked up each pair exactly where they were at  - and improved each horse and rider clearly visible within half an hour. No wonder that the positive climate within the course couldn't have been better. This was also evident at the photo shoot on the new 100 x 60 meter outdoor arena, which will be inaugurated in August at the two international CSI 2* shows at Riesenbeck International.

Nevertheless, a field trip always rounds out the week: a visit of the German Olympic Committee for equestrian sports in Warendorf was on the program. There, Markus Scharmann informed about the work of the association. A short detour to shopping in a specialist shop for horse and rider gear concluded the day, which reached its next highlight the next morning: The internationally successful riders Christian Kukuk and Eoin McMahon from Ludger Beerbaum's stable came with a 7-year-old youngster and a 14-year-old experienced and highly successful international jumper in the large event indoor arena to explain to the participants how professional riders warm up and ride their horses sensibly. In order to achieve good communication between horse and rider, the first jumps and distances should be harmonious and rhythmic. Both completed a first course in the style of a youngster competition, then they rode the course in competition mode, much faster, but always careful to keep the rhythm correctly. In the subsequent question and answer session over lunch, both riders answered all questions from the LWEA clinic participants. A morning that will never be forgotten! The care of the horses was scheduled in the afternoon with an information round by the company Effol. Afterwards, the whole group went to the state stud in Warendorf on the final day and then to the final course, which was completed by every rider and recorded on video. The videos commented by Ludger Beerbaum and the best photos of each rider will be sent to all participants to keep as memories.

"We have grown into a really great unit," said Jule. She won participation in the LWEA clinic in a Longines campaign. Jule: “I never thought that you could learn as much in a week as you can in a whole year. The week will be unforgettable for everyone ”.