“In the end, everything has always been about the horses…and credit must also be given to my dear, tight-fisted father, who demanded I continue my lessons despite my first day’s disaster at the riding school-so he could get his money’s worth!”
― Gunnar Ostergaard: Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries
When I was a young girl I loved to read. I would read all day and into the night. After bedtime, mom would often have to come into my room to tell me to get back to bed as I sat reading by my nightlight. Once I got into school, that part of me died. Ever since then, I have been a slow reader or even a non-reader. The introduction of audiobooks changed that for my commute to work, but lately I’ve regained my fire. Thanks to Trafalgar Square I now look forward to reading before bed, and sometimes even catch a few moments during the day to read…I often go to the gym and walk on the treadmill at an incline while reading. I’m so proud to be an affiliate with this publisher, and thanks to them I have so many new books to add to our Book Club!
This next book is called Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries by Gunnar Ostergaard.
You get get your copy directly here at Trafalgar Square books!
This book was first published in 2023 and captures the life of Gunnar Ostergaard, who grew up in Denmark and became a bereiter (certified horse trainer). In other countries, you must go through rigorous training and tests to become a certified trainer (whereas here in the US you need to be careful who you hire since anyone can call themselves a trainer). We got to learn about his boyhood and his entry into the horse world. Learning about his triumph in bridling a known difficult horse. Learning about his first horse, Johnny, an older knabstupper.
I’m so fascinated by the process of becoming a bereiter. The exam was held over four days, three days of examination, and one to receive the results. There was a medium-level dressage test, a 4ft (1.25m) showjumping course, a written test, and a speech. I really love this concept and as Gunnar states, it makes perfect sense to be able to demonstrate your abilities but also to present yourself in speech as the professional you wish to become. Have you ever had a riding instructor who is brilliant with horses and in the tack but can’t seem to teach or get their point across? Or maybe a trainer that doesn’t seem so professional? In our current world, it feels like a norm.
After passing his bereiter exam Gunnar moved to Germany to work for a private couple in a small isolated town. He enjoyed the position but longed for more peers his own age. Before too long he returned to Denmark to work at Fredriksdal Castle. Here he made friends and experienced a bit of “culture shock” as his Danish peers were more casual in attire and mindsets than his previous German lifestyle.
In 1973 Gunnar met his now-wife Birgit. Wow! This woman needs her own book! Birgit at the time was getting a lot of attention in Denmark; she was winning competitions under her trainer NK Hansen and getting featured in magazines. She had her own barn and a full-time job as a lab technician. Before work she would feed and muck stalls and ride a couple horses that she would ride a half mile to use an indoor arena in the dark. After work she did the same, riding her other horses. I am ENAMORED by her discipline and work ethic! No wonder why Gunnar fell head over heels.
We got the chance to learn about Gunnar’s travel across the pond to America. It was especially interesting to see Linda Zang’s integral part of this. Our GMO ENYDCTA has hosted Linda several times for clinics in our area.
From the moment he was in the United States Gunnar began to lay the foundation for a permanent move. It was not long before he came back more permanently. She was very successful in his venture, having many opportunities. Gunnar took to the common “snowbird” movement…traveling to Florida for the winter months. He was pivotal in the beginnings of White Fences, which is a popular Equestrian facility to this day.
“Herr Diel always said ‘Die beine zu machen!’ (‘Use the legs’) if something needed to be improved. Horse on the forehand? Use the legs! Horse inattentive? Use the legs! Toilet clogged? Use the legs!”
― Gunnar Ostergaard: Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries
Gunnar Ostergaard shares with us his ups and downs and does so very well. The layout of his book flows brilliantly and it’s easy to read and comprehend. I feel his joys and feel his painful moments. I find it incredible that he was able to purchase so many properties over the years.
“What you must realize about Birgit and me and our long, happy marriage is that we’ve never been a ‘honey,sugar,sweetie’ sort of couple. We’re not gooey. We have always had, besides obvious affections, great mutual respect for one another.”
― Gunnar Ostergaard: Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries
Final Word:
I thoroughly enjoyed every page of Gunnar Ostergaard’s book, Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries. It was well written with great stories, some humor, and honesty.
I especially appreciate the shorter-sized chapters…to some, this might not mean much but I LOVE short chapters with lots of breaks. In fact, I often read these books faster because of the ability to say “Oh just one more chapter.” With longer chapters, I will stop reading until I know I have more time because I hate closing a book mid-chapter. It seems ridiculous but it really makes a difference.
I especially love these biography-type books…I find it incredibly fascinating to learn about the “origin story” of our top level trainers. Where they come from, what makes them tick, their triumphs, and their struggles. Gunnar shares all of that and more in this book. At times many stories feel so relatable and yet other stories can seem so distant from today’s reality (or my interpretation of reality as a broke, horse-loving, nobody amateur). All stories, however, are incredible reads.
I’d recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in dressage. Adults will enjoy this book the most but any youth that loves dressage will appreciate it as well. Being in my mid-30s I feel I appreciate this book much better than my younger self…before dressage came into my life and before I cared about history (it’s always been my toughest subject). At my age and with my interest in dressage I feel I can grasp the importance and magnitude of what is being presented better than I would before I had any type of worldview.
“People have asked me why, at the age of 77, I continue to teach as much as I do. The answer is that it defines me. It’s who I am.”
― Gunnar Ostergaard: Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries
I also want to add that I buy most of my horse books from Trafalgar Square Books. I’m excited to say that I am an affiliate with the publisher, and so proud to be. Trafalgar Square embodies the spirit of horse people…. they ARE horse people. The operation is based in an old barn in North Pomfret, Vermont, and run by only a few people…people you can talk to and meet in person at events. It’s not a big corporate conglomerate, and for that I am grateful. This happens to be one of such books. You can find your copy through my affiliate link here, it’ll let TSB know I sent you!
Life as a Dressage Trainer in Three Countries by Gunnar Ostergaard
Published by Trafalgar Square books, North Pomfret, VT
If you have any questions, comments, or would like further information, please contact:
contact@trafalgarbooks.com / (802) 356 6706
The Green Horseman 
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