Riders Train for Olympics in Johnson County 8/6/64

By Carolyn Landphair

Would-be equestrians need not look far for excellent teachers.

The services of two internationally known riding instructors are available to Johnson countians.

Mrs. Fritz Coester, Prairie du Chien Rd., is hostessing the third annual US combined training session at which Lt. Col. Lewicki of Sherborne, England, is instructing. Mrs. Coester herself is known internationally as a horse trainer and riding instructor.

The combined training session is one of two national centers held in the US for the purpose of developing riders-some of whom will eventually ride on the US Olympic Equestrian team.

"But the sessions are also dedicated to the development of skilled riders in general," Mrs. Coester said.

And the 14 riders participating in the clinic are proof of this development.

The students are from Camden, SC; Bluemont, VA; Leavenworth, KS; Cincinnati, OH; Chicago, and Iowa City.

"The riders were all at different levels when they started the session," Colonel Lewicki explained in clear, slightly-accented English. "Now they look more alike with good hands and seat."

White-haired, dignified and resembling the "Colonel" portrayed in novels of the South, Colonel Lewicki beams with satisfaction as he talks about his riders and the improvement they've made throughout the two weeks.

"This is a condensed course," he explained. "We learn three months' instruction in two weeks."

Colonel Lewicki was born and reared in Poland where he was a member of the Polish International Equestrian team from 1927 to 1936. For five years he was riding champion of Poland in dressage (basic training or schooling which emphasizes fluidity, grace, suppleness and obedience of the horse), show jumping and three-day events. He was also chief instructor in the Calgary Officers School of Poland for four years. Since WWII, he has lived in England where he breeds and trains his own dressage and combined training horses.

Mrs. Coester also breeds and trains her own horses on her 100-acre Winds Reach farm. Stabling some 50 horses including foals, Mrs. Coester was "born riding: on a farm in Baltimore County, Maryland." After marrying and establishing her present Iowa home, she helped form the US branch of the Combined Training Association and established a US Pony Club (instructional club for riders under 21 years of age) in Iowa City. She presently teaches members of the pony club and Girl Scouts and instructs State University of Iowa riding classes at the farm.

Colonel Lewicki classifies Mrs. Coester's teaching as excellent and recommends that aspiring young riders be taught by an expert such as her.

"Betsy (Mrs. Coester) is a wonderful teacher," vows Colonel Lewicki, "And won't exploit people who want to learn to ride. She isn't after money. She wants to help develop good riders who love horses as she does." He added that a beginner is best taught by an experienced and expert instructor and that the idea that a beginning student can be taught by anyone to ride well, is false.

Col. Lewicki was quick to point out that Iowa has more riding horses-and some of the best-per capita than any other state, yet is practically unknown in national and international riding circles.

Both the Colonel and Mrs. Coester agreed that riding is a healthy sport-it develops all muscles.

Mrs. Coester has been able to watch the results of her teaching personally as well as professionally. She has taught all four of her children to ride. Her oldest, Janet, 9, is the youngest member of this combined training clinic. Her sons Bill, 8, Hans, 6, and Michael, 5, are still working up to these "high level" clinics.

"But they all ride their 'own' horses," Mrs. Coester assures, and "they will change from horse to horse as they 'out-grow' them."

Mrs. Coester's husband Fritz is not a stranger to the sport either. "He rides also," said Mrs. Coester, "and understands my love for horses." Coester, a native of Germany, is a nuclear physicist employed with the Argonne National Laboratories of Chicago.

Mrs. Coester said that her primary objective in teaching is to develop both the horse and rider while making "fun the backbone of all horsemanship."