Jan Brink Retires from International Competition Career

[ridgeback]

Bummer:(

http://www.eurodressage.com/news/dressage/europe/2009/swe_brink.html

[Dressage Art]

What a shame! I had a pleasure of watching him at the USDF FEI Training conference and absolutely loved what he taught and how he rode! He is amazing (oh so cute and young looking). He built his business from the ground up staring with little $. He attributes that to his eye that he can spot an early talent in horses and would buy them fairly inexpensive, train and re-sell them. He was able to make enough $ to built his own farm and start training international stallions. He has a dozen stallions at his barn and makes most $ on sperm. He is an avid advocate of riding on trails and race track as well as letting horses be horses and have turn out time. He does that with his 3 time Olympic stallion Briar as well! Not so long ago he got married to a former model, now an attorney who is 20+ years younger, so may be he wants to settle down now, have kids? I can’t believe that he is 49 years old already! This is his very first marriage.

[FEIwannabe]

That makes me very sad.

[hoopoe]

I think it is wonderful that he will be able to devote time to his sport in teaching new and talented horses and riders as well as having a home life that is not impacted by international travels

[Coreene]

In an interview last year, he said final show plan for Briar was to take him to Vegas. I wasn't the only one in tears watching that final trip down centerline. :sadsmile:

[asb_own_me]

In an interview last year, he said final show plan for Briar was to take him to Vegas. I wasn't the only one in tears watching that final trip down centerline. :sadsmile:

You're right...I was with you, as many there were.

I picked up a DVD at the Briar booth and enjoyed watching footage of them trail riding and jumping many of their horses, including Briar. I don't recall where I heard this (it may have been at the WC), but I heard that the plan for Briar was to aid Jan in his instruction by helping teach less experienced riders how to ride upper level movements.

I was ready to hop a plane with the bag in my hand and get in line for one of THOSE lessons!

[Dressage Art]

I was ready to hop a plane with the bag in my hand and get in line for one of THOSE lessons!only if you can sit his spooks ;)

[asb_own_me]

Not a problem :D I have extensive experience with that!