Bay-Sarah Nicholls

• BHSAI
• ESNZ Performance Dressage Coach
• ESNZ Elite Dressage Riding Exam
• St John First Aid

Brugs

I worked as Head girl for Herr Franz Rochowansky (Chief Rider of the Spanish Riding School) and Vicki Thompson (British Olympic rider) from 1983 to 1988 and often returned to train with them.

Herr Franz Rochowansk

Herr Franz Rochowansk

Courtesy of Alois Podhajsky Fans

Franz “Rocky” Rochowansky was born in 1911 in Austria. In 1928, he joined the Austrian cavalry and quickly became known for his horsemanship and teaching skills.

Rochowansky even helped Colonel Alois Podhajsky to prepare for the 1936 Olympic Games.

Later in life, he would help Colonel Podhajsky carefully compile notes about the education of the stallions and riders at the Spanish Riding School for Podhajsky’s book, “The Complete Training of Horse and Rider”.

When Franz Rochowansky was accepted to the Spanish Riding School in 1937 he stayed for nineteen years; learning, teaching, and training.

During the course of the Second World War he was promoted to Chief Rider for his exceptional riding and training skills.

Rochowansky also was a great help assisting with the Spanish Riding School’s secret evacuation from Vienna.

Rockowansky was awarded a gold riding medal for his magnificent long-reining displays with his tremendous stallion, Neapolitano Schallo.

The likeness of this wonderful rider was immortalized on the Austrian schilling: he and his stallion frozen in time in a perfect levade.

After his retirement from service to the Spanish Riding School, Franz Rochowansky devoted the rest of his life to passing on his knowledge.

He traveled extensively, and trained many international and Olympic riders. He sadly passed away in 2001.

Brugs has trained 3 horses to GP, Spotty a gelding, Huszti a stallion and Vinny a mare.

Brugs has trained many riders towards GP in the UK and NZ.

Some highlights...

UK/Europe

Cockley Cley Weatherman (Spotty)

• 1983 C.D.A.Y. Goodwood (PSG Level)
• 1984 C.D.A.Y. Goodwood (PSG Level)
• 1985 C.D.A.Y. Goodwood (PSG Level)
• 1986 C.D.A.Y. Goodwood (PSG Level)
• 1986 Reserve Rider British Team for YR European Championships - Team Silver Medal (PSG Level)
• 1987 Inter 1, Inter 11, GP.
• Quoted in Horse and Hound The youngest ever combination to compete and train their own horse at Grand Prix level in England.
• 1988 GP qualified for National Champs and placed.
• 1988 C.D.I. Beek in Holland
• Reserve GP champ in Cheshire at Regional Finals
• Short-listed for the Olympics

Other Rides (83-87)

• Hifi ridden at P.S.G. and made British Team for YR Europeans (sold before europeans)
• Double-Dutch ridden at PSG.
• Catweazel ridden at PSG.

Huszti

• 1993 Shell Gas Medium National Championships
• 1994 Midlands Advanced Medium Championships
• 1994 Dressage Festival of Future Stars under 25 PSG Winner
• 1995 C.D.I.Y. Hickstead: lent Huszti to Penny Brinsley (Young Rider)
• 1995 C.D.I.Y. Barcelona, Spain: lent Huszti to Penny Brinsley (Young Rider)
• 1996 Hickstead Southern Regional Champsionships PSG.
• 1997 1 class at GP.
• Working solidly at G.P. but he tragically died of colic.

New Zealand

Vinny

• 2010 Sunfield Trophy
• 2010 FEI World Challange Advanced 5th
• 2011 Canterbury Dressage Group Points Prize
• 2012 South Island Champs Level 6 Reserve Champion
• 2013 Bates National Champs Level 7 5th Overall
• 2014 South Island Champs Level 8 Reserve Champion
• 2014 Bates National Champs Level 8 4th Overall
• 2014 Canterbruy Dressage Champs GP Champion
• 2015 Festival Of Dressage GP Reserve Champion