Malcolm Holtshausen, a UK-based competitor in international dressage, is currently in Malta to conduct a training course. The course is spread over three days and includes hands-on training as well as theory-based lectures.
This is the second time that Holtshausen has visited the islands in a professional capacity.
"When I first came over to Malta I did not know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised to find so much enthusiasm for the sport and an obvious thirst for knowledge.
"I wrote an article in a British magazine after I returned in which I said that I found the Maltese riders an inspiration," he said.
Holtshausen reckons that Malta will produce top-class riders.
"As long as they work together to keep developing the sport and make use of the talent they have it won't be long before they break into the international scene," he opined.
Undoubtedly, support from the authorities and private investors is essential if this aspiration is to become a reality in the future.
Holtshausen is an accomplished dressage rider who has a wealth of experience when it comes to training young dressage horses and bringing them on to competition level. He has been riding since the tender age of seven and was talent-spotted as a young rider in South Africa.
He was given the opportunity to pursue a professional career in competitive dressage in 1997 when he moved to the UK and joined the British Dressage Trainers Scheme.
While dressage is a relatively new sport to Malta, enthusiasm is on the increase and regular training clinics are being organised by the various riding clubs across the islands in an effort to boost the local standards.
A number of enthusiasts are also seeking to purchase well-bred dressage horses from other countries renowned for their excellent breeding programmes particularly Germany, Belgium, the UK and Italy.
Meanwhile, Holtshausen will be judging a dressage competition at Tal-Magħtab Stables today, starting at 9 a.m. One may obtain more details on the sport by phoning 7981-8080 or 9984-7757.