Russell Potgieter CV

Russell Potgieter

Russell has enjoyed more than 35 years of successful showjumping, training and course design experience to date. Born in Johannesburg he became a passionate Equestrian in his late teens and has subsequently trained under the guidance of many successful riders and trainers including Gonda Beatrix, Philip Smith, Alison Dawes, Nelson Pessoa, Francois Mattee (Snr), George Morris, Franka Sloothaak, Rob Hoekstra (Manager of the British team).

Because of his Course Designing exposure he has also enjoyed the influence of many other great Horsemen and women.

During his Equestrian career, Russell has trained a number of showjumping riders to top levels.

Russell’s equestrian career has run parallel to his academic and artistic careers and spans a wide range of diversity.

Russell:

  • Started his career as an officer with the SA Defence force Mounted Infantry where he headed the training of horses and riders for Border patrol.
  • He then worked for Bill Johnson at Bryanston Equitation Centre.
  • Shortly thereafter he trained with the late Phillip Smith.
  • obtained a Professional License in 1970  .
  • moved to the UK as a direct result of British Olympic team rider Alison Dawes offering him a work opportunity to ride for an International Horse dealer.
  • 2 years later he returned to complete his studies and continued to ride on a professional basis.
  • has over the last 30 years trained and ridden for horse owners, and dealers at all levels of show jumping competition both locally and abroad.
  •  has over the same period been a successful competitor in show jumping classes up to 1.50 m and has produced many successful “Open” horses.
  •  prides himself in having the ability to successfully resolve problems with difficult horses and put riders on the right track to Show Jumping success.
  • started Show Jumping course design in 1994 and in 2007 graduated as an F.E.I.Course Designer and has since course designed for many major competitions both in and outside of South Africa.
  • has also worked as “First assistant” to many of the worlds best International Course Designers including: Frank Rothenberger, Werner Deeg, Olaf Petersen, Paul Weir, Heiko Wahlers, Bob Ellis, Rob Jansen and Stef Wirth. 

Sporting Certification and achievements

  • In 1979 He was awarded a certificate of special achievement by the SA SPORTS FEDERATION for athletic performance.
  • Attended a Technical course for coaches hosted by International Olympic Committee.
  • In 2008 was promoted to F.E.I Level II course designer and during the same year, he was invited by F.E.I. attend a workshop for the development of global education for course designers.
  • In 2009 he was approved by the F.E.I. as a Course Design “Director of Training”.
  • During his Equestrian career, Russell has competed in 8 South African Derby’s and was placed in 3 as well 3rd in the National Mini Derby in 2006.
  • Has won and been highly placed in many National events the highlight of which was at the 2006 Easter Festival where out of four Open events he won 3 including the 1.35m Championship including the Victor Ludorum and was placed  2nd in the other competition -riding only one of his horses.
  •   2008 and 2009 he was a member of the Interregional winning 1.40 team.
  • Has been Chef de Equipe for the South African Junior Showjumping team on three occasions
  • In 2010 SASJ appointed him to Head the development of Course Designers in South Africa. This function included  included setting up an educational development program for the discipline.
  • He currently coaches part-time and specializes in resolving  “competition riding difficulties for up and coming riders or riders who for unknown reasons have slipped into the cracks of the sport .
  • He sat Board of the I.E.S.A.as Director of communication and social media