A thorough training of rider and horse is Norbert van Laak´s principle of work. And he does his work successfully. Not only has he trained horses that are reliable partners in the big dressage arena but also riders from many different nations, who trust in his professional knowledge and his forbearing training methods.
After Norbert van Laak finished his ´Bereiterlehre`, a steep career began – he was trainer of Margit Otto-Crépin, who successfully rode for France. Together they worked across the whole of Germany as trainer and rider. When Margit Otto-Crépin and her Corlandus became successful, Norbert van Laak was her long-standing trainer. They won titles such as French Champion, titles at the European Championship and at World Cups, as well as individual Silver at the Olympics.
Norbert van Laak became quickly known in the international scene, becoming national trainer of the dressage teams of France, Denmark and Canada. As a trainer, he can claim credits for four Olympic Games, several European Championships and the World Equestrian Games. He trains several internationally successful dressage riders, amongst them known individuals such as Lars Peterson from Denmark. Nowadays he works as a private dressage trainer for nations such as Japan, Brazil or Austria. Together with Eva Schulte-Günne he trains them in the respective home country as well as at home on his yard.