Biography
Born in Denmark, Gunnar
Østergaard had a love for horses and dressage at an early age.
By 17 he realized that that his passion would become his profession. He
applied for and was accepted into the apprentice program at the stable
of Karl Diel in North Germany. Interestingly, he and Herbert
Rehbein, many time German champion, were in the program together.
Gunnar did his finishing
exam after three years and subsequently became a trainer at the
same stable. Three years later he moved to Southern Germany where he
was a private trainer at another dressage stable.
1969 found Gunnar back home in Denmark where he spent time as the head
trainer at a riding school north of Copenhagen. Although he trained
both dressage and jumping horses, dressage continued to be his first
love.
At this point in Gunnar's life, the legendary trainer, Gunnar Andersen
took a personal interest in him, providing
Gunnar the opportunity to train at his barn, riding the most talented
horses and learning the finer skills of high level dressage.
The rigorous training paid off as Gunnar won many dressage competitions
and was National Danish Professional Champion in 1975.
Thanks to the support of Ellen Shepherd, Liz and John Conroy, and
John's sister Peggy, Gunnar was able to immigrate to the US settling in
Plattsburg, NY in 1976.
In a very short time he saw both his reputation and clientele increase
nationwide. In 1977 he was renting a 30 stall barn facility in NJ
and did clinics all over the US. Besides training dressage riders
and horses he also helped some top Olympic jumping riders with their
dressage work as well as working with the US three day team in
dressage.
Later in 1977 Gunnar was contacted by Mr. F. Eugene Dixon and was
asked to train his daughter Ellin. Gunnar accepted and in 1978
Gunnar and Birgit moved to the magnificent 500 acre Erdenheim Farm
(which means "Home on Earth" in German) owned by Mr. Dixon, on
the Philadelpha city line.
That was the beginning of a successful 10 year relationship including a
national championship at Grand Prix (!!) for Ellin in 1981.
Gunnar
Østergaard's quiet
and humble demeanor belies an
impressive list of achievements. He has
trained over 25 successful horses
and/or riders to Grand Prix, won many national championships for
himself and his students, competed successfully in Europe and had
several Grand Prix wins at Devon and at the United States Equestrian
Team's (USET) Festival of Champions. He also served on the USET's
Planning
and
Selection Committee in
the 1980s and early 1990s.
Gunnar's own dressage training center, Deerwood Farm was first
established in Quakertown, PA in 1979. Today Deerwood Farm has
grown to two facilities, Deerwood Farm in Chester, Vermont and Deerwood
Farm South in Ocala, Florida.