Henry Brewah: From Madrid with love
Lommedalen, a small community in Norway about twenty kilometers west of its capital, is certainly not a household name in the world of horsemanship. Nevertheless, several times a year, the stable called Stall Eide is visited by the former Grand Prix winner, Henry Brewah, now a highly acclaimed trainer.
Published: July 3rd, 2022
“If it wasn’t for Martine, I wouldn’t be here, that’s for sure!”
Martines last name is Eide, and she is the sister of Anniken Eide, owner of Stall Eide here in Lommedalen. Henry, with the last name Brewah, met Martine in Barcelona in 2014, and now they have their own business selling horses together with their partner Mario Gomez Morcuende, just outside Madrid, where they work and live with their twins Karyn and Emelie.
“My first visit here was five years ago. After that I started coming three-four times a year, but now it is more, and every time the number of participants grow. They really want to learn and that is very important to me.”
We catch Henry just after finishing another lesson in Lommedalen. He seems happy with how both the horse and rider has progressed since the day before and sits down for a chat before another exited equipage is ready in the arena.
“Norway is a bit like Spain twenty years ago and have a lot of motivation to learn and willingness to develop. If my experiences here are representative for the sport in Norway, I really think this positive trend will continue.”
From riding to training
Henry started riding when he was 13 years old and decided on dressage four years later after seeing dressage in the Olympics. Throughout his riding career he has made several relocations always searching for new knowledge. That drive has taken him to places like Madrid, Barcelona, Japan, Holland, and Germany.
“My very first move was to an area near Madrid where I rode for a good trainer. Then I continued to Holland where I trained with Berth Rutten, the very same that took the Dutch national team to the Sidney Olympics. After some years in Madrid and Barcelona I moved to Germany and Rudolf Zeilinger, together with Martine. Everywhere I have moved I have been fortunate to train with some of the very best in the sport.”
Even though his collection of national and international trophies is more than most riders can dream about, Henry has always had his eyes on a different side of the sport. From early on he knew that his goal was to become a professional trainer, focusing on developing world-class horses. In 2021 the couple moved back to Madrid where he first began his business.
“It basically started from nothing. I brought back a few horses from Germany and moved to our partners stable. Here we train and sell horses to clients from many parts of the world. Sometimes we get horses from owners to train and sell, but my biggest passion is to find young, talented horses myself.”
His favorite age is when the horses are six to seven years old when the training can intensify, but his experience with younger horses has brought him both championships and a participation in the World Championship for young horses.
All about the basics
With a deeper knowledge of different training cultures gained in some of Europe’s best stables, there is one key learning he has brought back from his years in Holland and Germany.
“You must understand that the horse is like an athlete. They need to be ready, both physically and mentally. Sometimes you see a horse that can do tricks like the Spanish walk, passage or piaffe, but when asked to do a round of basic trot, it is not good. My style is to focus on the basics and then help the horse understand the trick. The result is much more balanced and collected. European horses are not like the more submissive Spaniard, and you cannot make them do something if they are not ready and willing.”
Given the choice between Spanish and European horses, Henry stops to think, but decides on the latter.
“I have to say I prefer the warm blood over the Spaniard. Of course, you will also find great talent amongst Spaniards, but they are still not that many. So, when a Spaniard is great, everybody hears about it, and the price goes through the roof. That’s why you have to buy them so young, and with more risk. But as a Spaniel I must add, when you find a top Spaniard, for instance a great Iberian, they are the most beautiful and easy horses to ride!”
With more than twenty years in the sport, Henry has seen big changes in both quality and economy. However, he leaves us with an important advice to only occupy your mind with what you can control.
“The development during the last ten to fifteen years has been crazy! The level of the horses is unbelievable, and the riders too. With social media, inspiration and learning has become much more accessible. At the same time, money is still a big part of our sport. Even though an equipage consists of a rider and the horse, the horse’s abilities contribute more to the result. Maybe as much as 80-85 percent at top level. But that is just a reality. Your job is to work on what you can control, and then just see how far the two of you can reach. That’s the thing when you choose a sport and a life dependent on a four-legged partner.”
