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Bernadette Brune

Dressage in a roundabout way – history & successes

Anyone getting involved in international dressage sport among the top contenders often has a similar background, viz. a career that is pursued via pony, junior and young rider sport right up to Grand Prix level. With Bernadette everything took a different turn. The native of Düsseldorf and daughter of the star architect Walter Brune was, by all means, infected by the horse virus at an early age, and her mother, Barbara Behlau, did in fact ride horses as an event rider. And in particular her grandfather Herbert Behlau, who received the Golden Riding Award, infected his granddaughter and already instructed the young Bernadette at the harness every Thursday from the age of three. However, a high-performance horse did not yet come into the picture for a long time.

When Bernadette moved, as a seven-year old, to Monaco after her parents separated, where her mother got a new job, the world came to an end for the young lady who was crazy about horses. It was one thing to exchange nature for the big city, but then it even transpired that there were no suitable training facilities in the South of France. Bernadette attempted, with suitable trained horses and “wannabe show jumpers”, to somehow make it to tournaments. For that was her great ambition. At the age of 13 her opportunity finally came – and, at the age of 14, she was already qualified for the French amateur championship. However, as a German, she was excluded from participation. So Bernadette continued to successfully ride in the countryside at “M” (medium) level.

NOW THE GREAT SPORT BEGINS

When the “expatriate” was able to return to her beloved Germany after sitting her novice (A)-levels, she pursued her great goal: to train as a stablehand, with a focus on riding. Her “instructors”: Dietmar Laufhütte, Renate Dahmen, Helena Weinberg and Holger Hetzel. Thanks to her former – meanwhile deceased – trainer Eric Wauters, she rapidly made her way to the major international tournaments, beginning, inter alia, in Mechelen, Düsseldorf, Monaco, Munich-Riem, Eindhoven, on the Sunshine Tour, and in Arezzo or Berlin. Following her spell with Eric Wauters, Bernadette trained under further instructors, including Nobert Koof, Gert Meyer, Stefano Nogara, Dirk Hafemeister and Michel Robert. She especially remembers the last two very well. “I learnt the most from Dirk and Michel. On the one hand, the stringent German school of providing correct assistance, on the other hand the French lightness, which has a great deal to do with the balance of the horse.”

She was not yet on the point of considering that all the tips given to her in this period could be important, even for a career in dressage. After ten years in international show jumping sport, however, with 142 medium (M) and advanced (S) placements and wins (even in two advanced level jumping tests), there was an unexpected change. Bernadette’s back was injured so badly at the tournament in Saint Tropez that the doctors said: “Jumping is a thing of the past!” – an incision in the life of the rider which was initially not easy for her to put up with.

“ORGANIZE A TOURNAMENT, ME?”

But Bernadette did not bury her head in the sand for long. Instead, she found a stable in Vidauban on the Cote d’Azur, which she built up and turned into a show mecca. After her back operation, she organized her first national tournament in 2007, followed a year later by a CSI3*. Show jumping greats such as Rodrigo Pessoa, Edwina Tops-Alexander, Steve Guerdat, Kevin Staut and the Schröder brothers all signed up for the first edition. This is followed by dressage tournaments, which are very popular. Charlotte Dujardin and Valegro compete here in their first Grand Prix – and German champion rider Fabienne Lütkemeier makes her international Grand Prix debut. In 2015, Bernadette hosted a CDI5* in Vidauban for the second time, a Nations Cup for the third time and the highlight was the organization of the European Dressage Championships for Juniors and Young Riders in July.

 

The jump was swapped for the dressage saddle

But then there was more she wanted than to organise tournaments. It is true that there was no return for her to the show jumping course, but, with a slight limitation in the right leg, she could still do dressage riding – the sport which Bernadette had always considered a challenge. “Previously I always thought, ‘You are not good enough for that!,” explained the stud farm operator. “I had always liked dressage so much, but I never imagined that I could go dressage riding myself.” Slowly Bernadette began to approach the new sport. She had, through a dealer, received a De Niro progeny for breaking in, with which she initially attended some training courses, in order to later on, successfully, ride the first tournaments. After three years she rode the first Inter II. Acclaimed trainers, such as Jan Bemelmans, then Anky van Grunsven, and Udo Lange, did, however, take Bernadette’s riding to new heights. In 2011 the former show jumper attended her first Grand Prix with Valeron (Sandro Hit)/Houston. At the end of 2014 the first CDI5* in Salzburg was on the cards, and, in 2015, with Spirit of the Age OLD, even the first Prize of the Nations. At her third Prize of the Nations tournament in Vidauban on her own site, her face became even more radiant upon winning the Prize of the Nations with Team Germany.

After six years of novice (A) level dressage tests she made an entrance in Grand Prix sport – impressive! Virtually 100 advanced (S) placings can be found on her success list, which includes 20 wins, all of which at international level. Then there were another 40 national advanced (S) level placings in France, which included 15 Grand Prix achievements. “Previously, dressage was my hobby and jumping my profession”, says Bernadette with a smile. “Today it is the other way round.”

But the Düsseldorf native, who now runs the Brune stud farm near Oldenburg after her time in Vidauban, has other interests and tasks in her life. As many horse-related products do not work the way she imagines, she quickly developed her own line: Equivida. Shampoos, creams, coat protectors and other products made from natural ingredients with great scents offer horses optimum care. “I want to have and offer everything from a single source, because then I know it’s as perfect as I want it to be,” explains Bernadette. So it’s hardly surprising that she also grows her own wine in France, which is offered at the facility’s own shows and in exclusive restaurants.

But that’s not (always) all: Bernadette not only continues to develop herself in the saddle, she also enjoys coaching herself, primarily juniors. The 13-year-old Ukrainian Anastasia Pavelko celebrated great success under her, winning five out of six children’s competitions in Vidauban with over 70%.

And when Bernadette is looking for a little balance, she likes to pick up her camera, go for a bike ride or edit videos. Diving and sailing are also a great passion for this all-round enthusiast, but sometimes Bernadette’s day should have more than 24 hours …

BREEDING – A PASSION

In addition to riding and organizing competitions, Bernadette is now also an enthusiastic breeder of mainly Oldenburg horses. It all began ten years ago with the purchase of the stables in Vidauban, when the previous owners left behind a trotting mare. Bernadette had this mare covered by Calido and got a successful show jumping mare. At the same time, the rider, who lives in France by choice, added two dressage-oriented foals to her breeding program, a Florencio/Sandro Hit daughter and one by De Niro/Rubinstein. While the Florencio daughter finished her mare performance test with a score of 8.2, the De Niro daughter and her second foal by Totilas fetched a record sum of 40,000 euros at the Oldenburg auction. Bernadette currently has ten mares and around 20 horses in breeding, with the first dressage-oriented offspring having already found their way into the sport. Bernadette also demonstrates a special flair when selecting the foals she buys. The horse lover discovered a three-day-old Totilas/Krack C/Ferro son, a colt, on Facebook. She bought him, let him grow up in the Wesermarsch and when he came to the Oldenburg licensing as a two-year-old, it was discovered that the dam’s sire came from the Negro line, i.e. the sire of Valegro. Totilas and Valegro united in one horse. So the name was obvious: Tolegro! In his very first year, the beautiful young stallion had 165 mares from all over the world – from Iceland and Europe to Australia and New Zealand.

Achievements

Dressage riding at the highest level

Initially starting out as a show jumper, Bernadette Brune collected 142 medium (M) and advanced (S) level placings and even victories in her show jumping career. In the dressage arena, the current dressage rider can proudly look back on 21 advanced (S) level successes and over 100 other advanced (S) level placings by the end of 2015, including numerous Grand Prix placings, Nations Cup victories and World Cup placings.

2024
2024

Verden:
8th place in the final of the FRH CUP Prix St. Georges with Vaderland

Helle:
1st place S dressage St Georges with Vaderland

Verden:
6th place M** dressage with Rappenbergs Lillyfee

Haftenkamp:
4th place M dressage with Rappenbergs Lillyfee

2023
2023

Hagen:
6th place Gran Prix with Feel Free
5th place S*** with Feel Free

Elmelohe:
4th place S*** with Feel Free

Westerstede:
2nd place M** dressage with Rappenbergs Lillyfee
2nd place S dressage with Rappenbergs Lillyfee

Hude:
2nd place M dressage with Rappenbergs Lillyfee

2021
2021

Frankfurt - Schafhof Edition
8th Place Prix. St. Georg Special - Nuremberg Burgpokal warm-up competition
9th Place Prix. St. Georg Special - Nuremberg Burgpokal Final

Exloo
2nd place Intermediaire I Place Intermediaire I
2nd Place Prix. St. George

Verden
1st Place St. Georg Special with Feel Free
1st Place St. Georg Special with Feel Free
Final ticket for the Nuremberg Burgpokal

Elmlohe
3rd Place St. Georg Special with Feel Free OLD

Wietmarschen
5th Place M-dressage with the young horse Faible

Sandbostel
5th Place St. Georg Special with Feel Free OLD

Elmlohe
2nd Place St. Georg Special with Feel Free OLD

Filsum
7th place Place M-dressage with the young horse Faible

Herzlake - Gut Einhaus
4th Place Prix St. Georges with Feel Free OLD

2020
2020

Vechta March 2020
1st place dressage test class S* with Feel Free OLD

Herbergen June 2020
6th place dressage test class S* - Prix St. Georges with Feel Free OLD
6th place Grand Prix with Spirit of the Age OLD. Place Grand Prix with Spirit of the Age OLD

Zeven June 2020
6th place dressage test class S* with Feel Free OLD

Hof Bettenrode July 2020
5th place Grand Prix with Spirit of the Age OLD
6th place Grand Prix Freestyle with Spirit of the Age OLD Place Grand Prix Freestyle with Spirit of the Age OLD

Vechta August 2020
4th place dressage test class S* with Feel Free OLD

Zeven August 2020
2nd place dressage test class S* - Prix St. Georges with Feel Free OLD

Herzlake September 2020
3rd place Prix St. Georges -international - with Feel Free OLD
4th place Intermediaire I -international - with Feel Free OLD Place Intermediaire I -international - with Feel Free OLD

The decision was made at the end of November 2020
Spirit of the Age OLD goes into "active retirement" at the age of 16, more than deservedly so

2019
2019

Verden
6. Place Grand Prix Special with Spirit of the Age OLD
4. Place Grand Prix with Spirit of the Age OLD

Ermelo/NED
WC Young Dressage Horses
13th Place Dressage Horse Competition-international WEG 6 years old Final with Feel Free OLD
9th Place dressage horse show jumping international WEG 6 year olds with Feel Free OLD

Falsterbo/SWE
6th place Place Grand Prix Freestyle with Spirit of the Age OLD
2nd Place Grand Prix 3* with Spirit of the Age OLD

Wiesbaden:
6th place Grand Prix Special with Spirit of the Age OLD
4th place dressage horse class M with Feel Free OLD. Place dressage horse class M with Feel Free OLD

Scharnebeck:
1st place St. Georg Special * with Gunner KS

Haftenkamp:
2nd place dressage horse class M with Feel Free OLD

Mannheim:
6th place Grand Prix Special with Spirit of the Age OLD

Ankum:
1st place dressage test class S*** Grand prix freestyle with Spirit of the Age OLD
4th place dressage test class S* - Prix St. Georges with Gunner KS. Place dressage test class S* - Prix St. Georges with Gunner KS
2nd Place dressage horse test class M with Feel Free OLD
1st Place dressage test class S* with Gunner KS
2nd Place dressage horse class M with Feel Free OLD

2018
2018

CDI-W Neumünster:
7th place in Grand Prix with Spirit of the Age OLD

Zierow:
2nd place Intermediaire I with Diary Dream and
1st place Intermediaire II with Di Magic OLD

CDI5* Doha:
2nd place Grand Prix Special and
9th place Grand Prix with Spirit of the Age OLD

CDI5* Munich-Riem:
2nd place Special and
5th place Grand Prix with Spirit of the Age OLD,
1st place Prix St. Georg with Diary Dream

Balve: German Dressage Championships Grand Prix Freestyle
8th place and Grand Prix Special
12th place with Spirit of the Age OLD

Redefin:
5th place dressage test class S** - Intermediaire I with Diary Dream

CHIO Aachen:
6th place Intermediaire I with Diary Dream

CDI2* Crozet:
1st place Intermediaire I and
8th place Prix St. Georg with Diary Dream

CDI4* Darmstadt-Kranichstein:
2nd place Grand Prix and
4th place Grand Prix Freestyle with Spirit of the Age OLD

CDI4* Stuttgart:
3rd place Grand Prix and
4th place Grand Prix Special with Spirit of the Age OLD

CDI5* Geneva:
2nd place Grand Prix Special with Spirit of the Age OLD

2017
2017

Warendorf:
4th place dressage horse class L with Feel Free OLD in the final of the Bundeschampionat
2nd place dressage horse class L with Feel Free OLD. 2nd place dressage horse class L with Feel Free OLD

Vechta:
4th place dressage horse class L with Feel Free OLD

Crozet/ FRA CDI:
3rd place Prix St. Georg -international- with Diary Dream OLD
5th place Intermediaire I - international- with Diary Dream OLD. Place Intermediaire I - international - with Diary Dream OLD

Rastede:
2nd place dressage horse class L with Feel Free OLD
4th place dressage test class S***- Short Grand Prix with Lights of Londonderry
5th place dressage test class S***- Intermediaire II with Lights of Londonderry
4th place dressage horse test class L with Feel Free OLD

Scharnebeck:
1st place dressage test class S*** - Grand Prix de Dressage with Lights of Londonderry
1st place dressage test class S*** - Grand Prix Freestyle with Lights of Londonderry. Place dressage test class S*** - Grand Prix Freestyle with Lights of Londonderry
1st Place dressage horse test class L with Feel Free OLD

Hagen a.T.W. CDI:
5th place Grand Prix -international- with Lights of Londonderry

Lastrup:
2nd place dressage horse class L with Feel Free OLD

Ankum:
4th place dressage test class S*** - Grand Prix Special with Lights of Londonderry
2nd place dressage test class S*** - Grand Prix de Dressage with Lights of Londonderry. Place dressage test class S*** - Grand Prix de Dressage with Lights of Londonderry
1st place dressage test class S*** - Grand Prix Special with Lights of Londonderry

2016
2016

CDI4* Salzburg:
1st place in Grand Prix and Grand Prix Special with Spirit of the Age

CDI3* Nice:
2nd place Prix St-Georges with Kasimir TSF and
2nd freestyle with Spirit of the Age

CDI5* Doha:
6th place Grand Prix and
10th place Freestyle with Spirit of the Age

CDI4* Hamburg:
3rd place Grand Prix Special with Lights of Londonderry and
6th place Freestyle with Spirit of the Age

CDI5* Wiesbaden:
6th place Grand Prix and
4th place Grand Prix Special with Spirit of the Age

CDIO5*-NC Rotterdam:
3rd place Grand Prix Consolation with Spirit of the Age

2015
2015

CDI-W Stuttgart:
10th place Grand Prix and
12th place Freestyle with Spirit of the Age

CDI Oldenburg:
11th place Grand Prix and
6th place Special with Spirit of the Age

CDI-W Lyon:
9th place Grand Prix and freestyle with Spirit of the Age

CDI Saumur:
3rd place Grand Prix and
4th place freestyle with Spirit of the Age

CDI Perl:
5th place Grand Prix with Valeron

CDI Cappeln:
1st place Grand Prix and
2nd place Special with Spirit of the Age

CDI Wiesbaden:
8th place Sepcial with Spirit of the Age

CDI Hamburg:
4th place freestyle with Spirit of the Age

CDI Nice:
1st place Intermediate I with Kasimir TSF,
2nd place Special with Valeron

CDI Vidauban:
5th place Grand Prix and
3rd place freestyle with Spirit of the Age,
4th place Grand Prix and
5th place Special with Valeron

CDIO Vidauban:
3rd place Grand Prix and
4th place Special with Spirit of the Age

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