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As reported by nj.com, from coast to coast, Courtney King-Dye’s coma has sounded an alarm for dressage riders who finally are starting to don protective headgear.

The Olympic equestrian wasn’t wearing a helmet March 3, when a horse she was training tipped over and she hit her head on the ground in Loxahatchee, Fla. King-Dye remained unconscious in a West Palm Beach hospital Saturday as supporters rallied around with prayers and financial contributions.

Few upper-level dressage riders use protective headgear regularly; after all, when they compete, they wear easily crushable top hats.But following Courtney’s accident, helmets proliferated in schooling rings at horse shows around the country. Even the nation’s number one dressage rider, Steffen Peters, switched a helmet for the baseball cap he usually favors when schooling, and many others followed suit.

U.S. Dressage Federation President George Williams, a Grand Prix rider himself, hopes there is a long-term trend in the current recognition of the need for safety.

“Certainly when someone so high profile and well-loved as Courtney has such a terrible accident, it brings a tremendous awareness to the potential dangers of riding,” he said, noting the USDF requires use of a helmet at its functions.

“There already has been a lot of discussion about requiring helmets and I suspect there will be a lot more both within the USEF (U.S. Equestrian Federation) and USDF. Whether or not it will lead to rules requiring their use is hard to say. At this point, it’s too early to predict if helmets will become the norm in competition, especially when tail coats are worn,” he said.

Some riders believe that top hat and tails are indivisible as symbols at the top of the sport, and that the coats can’t be worn without the hats. However, the hunter riders who used to wear top hats with their shadbelly tailcoats in classics and derbies are now required to wear protective headgear, and nobody thinks twice about it anymore.

“Ultimately,” said Williams, “I have always thought it is a personal decision, but one that should not be taken lightly due to the risks involved. However, it is becoming very obvious that our top riders need to recognize, for better or worse, they are setting an example that others will copy. I believe that in the very near future, as safety concerns increase and liability and insurance issues mount, helmets will be commonly used both at home and at competitions.”

Heather Mason, a trainer who runs Flying Change Farm in Tewksbury, said helmets have been standard equipment in her program for years.

“I am one of very few at the CDIs (internationally recognized shows) who school in a helmet,” Mason stated.
“I always wear an approved helmet at home and so do all my students. At shows, I wear one on all my horses the day we arrive for schooling. I show most of the 2nd Level and below horses in a helmet and certainly have shown through 4th Level in one on more unpredictable horses.”

Mason said she wear a top hat only in FEI (international equestrian federation) classes or on “sensible” horses.

“I would have no problem with helmets being required, but think it will (be) hard to get through unless the FEI also mandates it. I do think that anyone holding an amateur card should wear one at all times. And I am always amazed at riders without helmets on naughty horses at the shows at all levels, as it seems to be an unnecessary risk in my opinion.”

Canadian Olympian Jacqueline Brooks wore a helmet instead of her top hat in the Grand Prix Special competition at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby last weekend.

“It’s unfortunate that it’s always something like this that gets people thinking about these things,” said Brooks, but noted her coach, another Canadian Olympian, Ashley Holzer, has always worn a helmet while schooling.

“I’ll definitely wear it every time I sit on a horse,” said Brooks. “There’s a potential for them (horses) to slip at any time. It’s crazy not to wear them (helmets). You’ve got to wear a helmet when you go skiing, you’ve got to wear a helmet when you ride a bicycle. Our sport needs to catch up. We don’t need to wait for the FEI
to tell us. I think we’re all intelligent people and we can put the helmet on our heads.

“Now I regret I didn’t wear a helmet in the Olympics,” said Brooks, who vowed to wear one in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games this September if she makes her nation’s team.

After a serious fall, King-Dye’s website read the following.

As you probably already know Courtney suffered a serious head injury on Wednesday afternoon March 3 while schooling one of her horses in Loxahatchee, FL . She is currently in a Coma, her condition remains stable.

As reported by horsetalk.co.nz, Dressage Olympian Courtney King-Dye remains in serious condition after a terrible fall.

Dressage Olympian Courtney King-Dye remains in a coma following a fall from a horse last week, and her husband, New Zealander Jason Dye, said yesterday that there was no way of knowing the timeframe for her recovery.

“However, the neurosurgeons, doctors and nurses all agree the greatest strength she has is her age (32) and high level of fitness. What they don’t know and I do is the unbelievable drive and determination that Courtney has, she will fight and fight and fight, no question,” Dye said.

Dye thanked the equestrian world for the outpouring of support for Courtney. “It would mean the world to Courtney and she is being reminded of it frequently in our talks. She has always loved the community aspect of the dressage world and would love to know that it is coming together for her,” he said.

King-Dye’s Facebook page has been flooded with support, and another new page, “Please Pray for Courtney King-Dye”, has many supportive comments.

Pro rider Heather Blitz, pictured above at The Palm Beach Derby, has started a helmet-wearing campaign. Many riders at the Derby traded their top hats for helmets following Courtney King-Dye’s accident.

Dye said there is huge amount of love and support coming from family and friends, and many people worldwide have been praying for Courtney. “She has Buddhist Monks performing healing services for her from Taiwan to the USA to India. Her second family and friends in New Zealand (where I am from, and Courtney loves to visit) are sending all their love and healing energy from the Southern Hemisphere.

“Though I have not seen them all I understand there are many places online that are sending her huge messages of support and healing.”

Jason Dye is filling Courtney’s room with cards and photos “so she wakes up to see the support first hand.”

If you would like to send a card, please mail to:

Courtney Dye
2442 Muir Circle
Wellington, FL 33414

As reported by yourhorse.co.uk, an international dressage competitor has issued a heartfelt plea for all dressage riders to wear hats in competition, following a terrible fall by one of her compatriots.

US Grand Prix dressage rider Heather Blitz made the call after hearing about fellow US Olympic rider Courtney King-Dye, who was knocked unconscious following a fall while schooling in southern Florida last week.

Courtney is now in hospital in a coma, and doctors are uncertain when she may come out of it.

Heather said: “The terrible accident to our colleague and friend, Courtney King-Dye, is a harsh reality check of what can go wrong in a simple schooling situation at home, on the flat, with no fences or obstacles in our path.

“Falls do not just happen in eventing or jumping – they happen in dressage too. Horses are horses and we cannot control their every movement, no matter how experienced the rider. We can, however, take responsibility for our own safety by wearing a helmet in all circumstances when we are mounted.”

Heather, who is based in Europe and works with Mary Wanless in the UK, has now started a Facebook campaign to alert riders to the need to wear a riding hat.

Dressage riders are traditionally the worst offenders when it comes to not wearing their helmets for training.

The top Dressage riders in the nation are set to compete at the annual Palm Beach Dressage Derby, as reported by usef.org.

The best dressage riders in the world will soon descend on Loxahatchee, FL, all with the goal of becoming a winner at one of the country’s most prestigious dressage competitions—the 27th Annual Palm Beach Dressage Derby. This year’s Palm Beach Dressage Derby, March 4-7, has an added bonus for attracting top riders as it is a qualifier for the Selection Trials for the 2010 Alltech/FEI World Equestrian Games Dressage Team.

With more than $12,000 in prize money and awards, the Palm Beach Dressage Derby attracts the best riders in the world and also draws thousands of spectators to the Horse Park Equestrian Estates in Loxahatchee. Admission and parking are free and visitors can enjoy watching classes of all levels, including the always-popular musical freestyles, which will be held Sunday, March 7.

In addition to the spectacular equestrian competition, visitors will also have the chance to shop till they drop at the Boutiques at the Derby—over 30 stores featuring everything from tack and riding attire to artwork and equestrian-themed house wares. Concessions are also available on the show grounds.

Lead line riders will once again be center stage at the Palm Beach Dressage Derby, as the show will host the Championship Lead Line Class for the sixth year. Another highlight of the show is the Famous Derby Brunch on Sunday afternoon, with proceeds benefiting the United States Equestrian Team (USET) Foundation.

If you would like to learn more or attend the Derby please visit the Palm Beach Dressage Derby website at www.pbderby.com.

As reported by yourhorse.co.uk, the FEI has launched its series of dressage tests as an app for convenient use on the iPhone or iPod.

This is the first time the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) has ventured into the world of mobile applications.

The apps have been developed with Canadian e-learning company Numen Communciations, which has the website EquiApps.com. They are designed to help riders learn, reference and practice the FEI Dressage tests.

Called FEI EquiTests, the apps are available worldwide through the Apple iTunes store under FEI license.

For each test, the application allows iPhone and iPod users to:

• Read the test instructions along with the marking criteria
• View dressage animation diagrams that outline the movements of the test
• Record and play readings of the test that are timed to match the user’s individual horses and the arena in which they are practicing
• Reference the official dressage test score sheet to see where the judges’ emphasis is
• Get better understanding of the FEI Rules as PDFs of the rulebooks on topics such as movement definitions, competition rules, dress code, judging and veterinary inspection are available
• Keep up-to-date with the latest dressage news through the FEI news feed
The first test – FEI EquiTests 1 – is available free of charge so that it can be evaluated by riders and trainers.

Other test series will be charged for, and additional versions, including those for para-equestrian dressage tests, will be launched later this year.

These FEI Apps are an excellent tool for the Dressage enthusiast and can be found at http://www.equiapps.com/

By Fallon Walker

I was privileged enough to attend the CDI5* Wellington last weekend. This competition was put on by EXQUIS, Moorland, Equestrian Sport Productions and several other major sponsors which brought in some of the top riders in the world. My mother, her friend and I arrived to the West Palm Beach Airport late Tuesday evening after a long day of canceled flights and fog advisories. I can’t describe how good it felt to leave a 20 degree snowstorm and arrive to the beautiful mid-70’s of West Palm Beach. We all went to bed early that night. We wanted to get to the show grounds as early as possible the next morning, so we didn’t miss a bit of the action! We pulled into the grounds at about 7am and were surprisingly about the only dressage riders there. We were surrounded by a sea of absolutely stunning jumpers schooling before their classes began, each one of them so perfectly turned out. It was very interesting watching a schooling ring full of jumpers versus what I am so used to watching. We walked the rows and rows of vendors until we couldn’t take it anymore and had to grab our purses from the car! There is everything you could possibly need on the grounds from the top saddle makers to custom boot and Italian jacket designers. We were all in shopping heaven!

We headed back towards the main arena to watch the riders who were allowed to school their horses in and around the competition ring the morning before the Grand Prix. The first rider that entered was Canada’s Belinda Trussell on her fabulous 10 year old Oldenburg gelding Anton. This pair was a pleasure to start the morning off with. She is a very soft rider and all of their excersizes looked quite effortless. Canada’s newly named team coach Robert Dover was there supervising all of the Canadian riders schooling sessions. Next into the arena was Elizabeth Austin on her wonderful Dutch stallion Oliver and Michael Barisone soon followed. One after another some of the top riders in the world entered the arena to familiarize their horses with the competition setting. On the sidelines, Anne Gribbons, Lars Petersen, Kyra Kurkland and many others were there to assist the riders they were with. Wolfram Wittig was there assisting Isabell Werth with the incredibly elastic Satchmo and Sjef Janssen was there with Anky and fellow Dutch riders Christa Laarakkers and Aat van Essen. All the competitors seemed to have successful schooling sessions which ranged from a full workout to a simple walk on the buckle around the outside of the competition ring. It was interesting to see all of variations of training and what each rider expected out of each horse. All of the horses looked fit and happy which was wonderful to see. The competition ring was closed at 11am to allow the ring crew to prep for the afternoon Grand Prix test. We watched a few more jumper classes and ate lunch, but headed back to the arena when we were notified that the start time was moved up from 5pm to 2pm. My mother became friends with the ring official who gave us the perfect position to watch everyone school. I was standing right next to the official schooling ring clock and mom and her friend Kelly had perfect seats on the rail. Ulla Salzgeber drew the first ride position (2pm) and entered the schooling ring at about 1:15pm. Her beautiful mare Wakana (Wolkentanz/Weltmeyer) was quite a handful during the entire schooling session. Her half-passes and changes were top class though and she showed some exceptional pirouette work. She was very concerned with the bridge full of spectators that she had to cross under to get in and out of the competition arena and was “assisted” in and out by fellow German rider Anja Plönzke. Ulla masterfully rode a successful GP scoring a 69.362% ranking her 5th overall.

Next to go was Canada’s Belinda Trussell who had a fantastic schooling session, but unfortunately lost some of the expression in their test and scored 65.404% (12th). US rider and youngest competitor in the World Masters was Elizabeth Austin who performed one of her best GP rides to date scoring a 65.702% finishing in 9th place overall. The fourth rider on the roster Anja Plönzke caused quite a stir when she entered the schooling ring on the absolutely breathtaking Le Mont d’Or. She wore a very fashionable blue velvet shadbelly and looked so stunning just about everyone was staring at this pair. Her test was full of expression and quality and scored a 68.170% placing her behind Ulla Salzgeber in 6th overall. US rider Leslie Morse and her Swedish stallion Tip Top 962 finished 13th on a score of 64.851%. Canadian Ashley Holzer and the ever successful Pop Art had a fantastic schooling session and test finishing fourth overall on a great score of 72.468%. The crowd was absolutely booming as she entered and left the competition arena which shows the high popularity of this horse and rider combination. Isabell Werth and Satchmo schooled under the watchful eye of Wolfram Wittig and looked great going into their GP. Unfortunately, there were several small mistakes keeping Isabell’s score to a 72.553% placing them in 3rd less than a tenth of a point above Ashley Holzer. The last to go before the break was Dutch rider Aat van Essen on the athletic Jazz gelding Premier. Sjef Janssen was ring side to help prepare this pair for their US debut. Unfortunately their walk work was plagued with difficulties which was reflected in their score of 64.170% (14th).

During the short break, the competition arena was refinished and more riders began their test preparations. Danish rider Mikala Gundersen and Leonburg were ninth to go and rode a clean test to a score of 65.532% ranking this pair 11th. US rider Pierre st. Jacques on his large Danish gelding Lucky Tiger showed many highlights during their schooling and in the GP placing them 8th on a score 66.213%. The second Dutch rider Christa Laarakkers and Ovation had some very nice moments, but also had some unfortunate mistakes in the accuracy of their test. This talented young pair newly sponsored by one of my favorite tack shops in Holland, Divoza Horseworld, tied with Anja Plönzke on a score of 68.170% for sixth place. US rider Michael Barisone on his relatively new mount Olympus (owned by Dr. Nancy Binter) had several mistakes and fell to the bottom of the pack on a score of 63.489%. Canada’s Diane Creech on her beautiful young De Niro gelding Devon L placed 15th with a score of 64.085%.

As the last three riders were set to enter the ring, the excitement in the schooling ring really stepped up a notch. Top Dutch rider Anky van Grunsven and US riders Steffen Peters and Tina Konyot were preparing their horses for the last three spots. Steffen Peters warmed up Ravel in his typical quiet, relaxed manner. There was never a bad moment during the entire schooling session. Ravel is such a wonderful horse, he looks like a total dream to sit on. As they unwrapped him and headed towards the competition arena, we followed them to the ring. I had been going back and forth and watching the rides on the jumbo screen visible from the schooling ring, but I really wanted to see the next two tests in person. Steffens ride was fantastic! The rhythm, relaxation and concentration Ravel showed was exemplary. The crowd went crazy when they showed his final score of 76.851% which took him into a safe lead. After his test, he walked Ravel on a loose rein towards the exit. Just as they walked past, Ravel stopped and itched his nose on his knee like so many horses love to do. As he came up, Steffen realized that somehow he had stepped through his curb rein and it was stuck between his front legs! Before anything could happen, Steffen had dismounted and unbuckled the rein in such a calm and cool fashion. I think we can all learn from his perfect reaction to a possible accident!

Next to go Dutch rider Anky van Grunsven. The crowd seemed to triple when she entered the schooling area. Salinero was a bit nervous in the electric atmosphere spinning several times at spooky objects. Anky stayed right with him and schooled him in a very long, loose frame around the entire schooling ring for the first half of her warm-up. As she brought him up into the competition frame you could see it all come together. Everything they did was world class and looked beyond effortless. Anky is such a soft, elegant rider and it is always a joy to watch her ride. Going in, I knew that she had scored well into the upper 70’s many times with Salinero, but it was going to be close with Steffens lack of mistakes. Salinero was very electric going into the test. His extensions were superb and the freedom in his lateral work was breathtaking. He became slightly tense in the piaffe/passage though and broke rhythm for one step of his final extended trot, keeping her score to a 74.638% putting her in second place overall behind Steffen and Ravel. The last ride was US rider Tina Konyot on the dreamy Danish stallion Calecto V. I did not get to watch her test, but her score ended up tying with fellow US rider Elizabeth Austin for ninth place at 65.702%.

As everyone lined up for the awards ceremony, my mother and I had a chance to talk with Anky for a few minutes while her groom Willeke prepared Salinero for the awards presentation. She is such a joy to talk with as was Isabell Werth, Steffen Peters and Sjef Janssen. On Friday night, there were training demos done by several of the top riders and a schooling session under the flood lights in preparation for Saturday evenings freestyles. Saturday started off with the Grand Prix Special which was won by US rider Leslie Morse and Tip Top 962 with a score of 65.708%. The favorite for the Special was Germany’s Ulla Salzgeber, but unfortunately her young mare could not handle the intense atmosphere and she had to excuse herself just before saluting.

That evening, the freestyles began with Tina Konyot who started off with a respectable score of 70.700% putting her in 7th overall. Dutch rider Christa Laarakkers placed 6th with a 71.150%. Mikala Gundersen was next in 5th place with a score of 72.200% and fourth place went to Canada’s Ashley Holzer and Pop Art who scored a fantastic 76.300%. Isabell Werth commented that she was very proud of Satchmo who gave a great performance in the kur moving into the lead with a 78.950%. Steffen Peters and Ravel performed their crowd favorite freestyle in top form showing super rhythm and fantastic groupings of movements to highlight this horses obedience to his rider. Their score was 81.700% bumping Isabell Werth out of the lead. Last to go was Dutch rider Anky van Grunsven who proved why she has been called “Queen of the Kur” for many years. Salinero gave one of his best performances to their artistic Dance of Devotion kur designed by Wibi Soerjadi receiving a mark of 84.450% which cemented their victory in the CDI5* World Masters. This was Anky’s second victory in the World Masters. Last year she won the kur aboard her fancy Dutch stallion Painted Black.

I am so happy that I was able to go to this competition and witness all of the fantastic riders and their top quality horses in such close proximity. Thanks to my mother, we were all able to go and have a wonderful time in sunny Wellington! Hopefully, we will all be able to do the same next year! Happy riding!

As reported by thehorse.com, the Federation Equesre Internationale (FEI) has imposed sanctions on aggressive riding, specifically riding which can result in hyperflexion of the horses neck.

“The group redefined hyperflexion/Rollkur as flexion of the horse’s neck achieved through aggressive force, which is therefore unacceptable,” the FEI said in a statement. “The technique known as Low, Deep, and Round, which achieves flexion without undue force, is acceptable.”

No rule changes were deemed necessary, but a new working group will expand the current guidelines for stewards to facilitate the implementation of this policy, potentially including closed-circuit television monitoring of warm-up arenas at selected shows.

The issue came up for discussion after an Internet video circulated of Swedish Olympian Patrik Kittel warming up at October’s CDI Odense, Denmark, using a method some call inhumane. (Read more: “Controversial Dressage Training Method Under FEI Investigation.”) The FEI sent Kittel a warning letter in late January, but no formal claim was lodged.

FEI President HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein also accepted a petition of 41,000 signatories against Rollkur presented by German veterinarian Dr. Gerd Heuschman at the Feb. 9 meeting.

The group has imposed the changes as part of a February 9 conference, with the goal of increased safety in dressage training and competitions.

As written by dressagedaily.com, Betsy Steiner is famous for her role in equestrian pilates, as she demonstrates a pilates movement in the above image.

As Betsy Steiner Demonstrates A Pilates movement, any Dressage rider who truly knows the sport and its major players at least knows of Betsy Steiner. With over 3 decades of Dressage experience under her belt, Steiner has practically done it all- from training numerous horses up to Grand Prix, representing the U.S. at the World Equestrian Games, to serving on the Athlete’s Advisory Council for the U.S. Olympic Committee. And that only skims the surface of all of Steiner’s incredible accomplishments over the past 30 years. However, there is one unique aspect of Steiner’s Dressage Career that stands out, and that is her Equilates program, a Pilates program for Equestrians allowing them to strengthen their core and use their bodily awareness and strength to benefit their riding.

Betsy Steiner and Unanimous at the 1990 Stockholm World Equestrian Games For those of you unfamiliar with Pilates, Pilates is a physical fitness system created by Joseph Pilates during World War I that incorporates awareness of breath and alignment of the spine, and focuses on creating core strength to create a balanced body and sufficient support for the spine. Originally, Mr. Pilates created this system as a rehabilitation program for veterans of the war, and even those who were bedridden. Attaching springs to hospital beds made this possible, and his system was absolutely revolutionary. Mr. Pilates believed that mental health and physical health were intertwined, and thus, for the wounded veterans of the war to better their chances of recovery, he made it possible for them to strengthen their bodies and focus their minds on regaining strength in a time of weakness.

Pilates has come to the forefront in recent years and become very popular in the USA as a form of exercise and stretching used by many athletes. Betsy Steiner is known and famous for finding the use of Pilates as beneficial to the Equestrian rider.

Steiner tried every type of cross training she could think of to supplement her riding, but it was not until she started Pilates in 1995 that she had her realization. Steiner was in California when Cathie Teague, her first Pilates instructor, introduced her to the Pilates system. Steiner admits she’s been hooked ever since.

“I got into Pilates during my endless search to find an effective cross-training method to support and help my riding. I tried many different forms of training, weight training, yoga, tai chi… but Pilates just seemed to resonate with me,” she said. In 2003 Steiner trademarked the term Equilates and began to create a program that would ultimately aim to change the way equestrians think about riding, and about life.
“Once you really start doing Pilates it changes your life in the way you think about your body. You become keenly aware of any imbalances or misalignments you may have.”
In order to spread the word, Betsy started an Equilates teacher certification program in 2004 for Pilates instructors, primarily to focus them in on the aspects of Pilates that most benefit riders of all disciplines, but especially Dressage riders like herself. “Pilates has affected my riding in every way, Steiner admits. “It has given me the understanding and exercises to develop my core strength, teaches me focus on my correct body alignment and supports the discipline of mind and body.”

Steiner and other advocates of both Pilates and Equilates agree that Pilates improves the body from the inside out. “It has made me more supple and flexible, keeps my muscles toned which has improved the quality of my daily life. When your body is free from pain and constrictions you simply feel good,” she said.

A pioneer of Pilates for Equestrians, Steiner remembers a time when Pilates wasn’t so hip or chic. “I remember traveling 40 minutes to a Pilates studio when I moved from California to Florida – there weren’t any in Wellington.” But she recognizes that a lot has changed, thanks to her passion to pursue Equilates. “Now we have quite a few great Pilates studios in Wellington as well as private instructors that go to the stables to teach,” she said. “I think riders are so much more aware today of the importance of working out to stay fit and supple and be an athletic equal to our horses.”

Lately Betsy’s Equilates program, a Pilates program specific to the Equestrian rider has gained momentum and is extremely popular in many Equestrian circles. Betsy has credited Equilates with giving her the energy and ability to ride 6-8 horses a day, making the program a very beneficial tool for the Equestrian Dressage rider.

As reported by horseandhound.co.uk, The Netherlands own, Edward Gal is leading the world of dressage riders after breaking his own previous record at the 2009 Olympia.

He learnt to ride at the age of 14, training at Rien van der Schaft before moving to Anky van Grunsven’s yard. He still trains with Anky and her partner Sjeff Janssen, as well as his own business partner Nicole Werner.

In 1998 Edward placed fourth at the PAVO cup — a young horse championship — with Kappuccino. Since 1999, Edward has been highly successful on the international scene, training four horses up to grand prix level — Gestion Risky Business, Gestion Kappuccino, Geldnet Lingh and Gribaldi.

He finished second at the 2005 Wold Cup finals in Las Vegas on Lingh, and came home with team silver from the 2005 European Championships in Turin as well as the 2006 World Equestrian Games at Aachen.

However, Edward’s most successful partnership has been with Moorlands Totilas, son of Gribaldi. At Olympia World Cup qualifier 2009, they broke their own world record score in the grand prix freestyle with an outstanding 92.3%. Possibly the most extraordinary horse and rider combination to date, all eyes are watching Edward Gal and Moorlands Totilas.

Edward and business partner Nicole Werner currently manage a dressage stable in the Netherlands, where Edward coaches other top riders. He works alongside partner Hans Peter Minderhoud, supporting each other in training and competitions.