Oded Shimoni a powerful presence at Three Runs 3/26/2010 11:55 PM
By BEN BAUGH Staff writer
One of the dressage world's most respected names has been working with the eventers participating in the U.S. Equestrian Federation's Eventing High Performance Training Sessions.
Oded Shimoni has been a powerful presence at the sessions at Three Runs Plantation. He reached the sport's elite level from very humble beginnings in his native country.
"I started when I was 13 years old at a local riding school in Israel," said Shimoni.
After riding for a year to 18 months, Shimoni began to direct his energies toward dressage as his discipline of choice.
"I did some jumping over the years when I was growing up, but I found myself attracted to dressage," said Shimoni.
He placed all of his emphasis on dressage and continued to evolve and develop as a rider as he grew older. When he did turn professional, he concentrated his efforts on dressage instruction.
Shimoni found success with three very special horses - Amora, Glenstern and Falco. He made his World Equestrian Games debut representing Israel in Rome, Italy, in 1998, with Amora, whom he rode in the 2001 European Championships.
He returned to WEG four years later with the Dutch Warmblood gelding Glenstern in Jerez, Spain, whom he competed in the 2003 European Championships. He was the first Israeli to represent his country in the World Equestrian Games.
The U.S.-based rider also qualified to represent Israel in the 2004 Olympics in Athens with two horses, including the 17-hand Dutch Warmblood gelding Falco.
"It was incredible; it was the icing on the cake," said Shimoni. "My goal was to be able to train horses in competition to the Grand Prix level, but I couldn't envision myself having the means financially to be able to compete at that level at the time when I first set my goals. The opportunity to be able to compete on horses like Amora and Glenstern were among the most fantastic experiences of my life."
The biggest challenge for Shimoni as an upper-level dressage rider is learning how to ride a good Grand Prix test.
"It's still a challenge; it's a lifetime challenge," said Shimoni.
He feels very fortunate to be able to work with the upper-level eventers who were selected to take part in the United States Equestrian Federation's High Performance Training Sessions.
"The riders that I'm working with currently are the very best in the United States," said Shimoni. "I'm an extremely progression-oriented person. The riders I'm working with are very ambitious, are very hungry to learn and willing to execute. It's a lot of fun and very gratifying for me to be able to work with them. I try to make it so it's reciprocal and it's as gratifying for them as it is for me. I guess the proof will be in the pudding."
Not only is Shimoni helping the United States team, but he also remains a competitive force, qualifying for his third World Equestrian Games last week.
"I plan to compete in the World Equestrian Games representing Israel on my Grand Prix horse named Granada (a horse he had only ridden for eight weeks)," said Shimoni. "I rode him in two competitions and have already qualified him. It's very exciting."
Contact Ben Baugh at bbaugh@aikenstandard.com.
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