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25.01.2022 Often I tell my students that each of us is an individual. We are not exactly the same. We are all unique. I follow what Baucher taught as well as Nuno Oliveira and others with similar principles. But, I am not, and never will be, like they were. You see, even if we try to emulate someone else, we can never be them. The only answer then, is to do the best with our own ability and understanding to seek what they sought. To study from the good books, to practice and cont...inue refining so that ultimately, the horses connect with us and perform the movements requested, 'as if of their own volition'. This is a simple thing to do, as the information is readily available, but it is not easy. We must make ourselves very clear with our language (the language of the aids) and request our changes of direction, our transitions, the degree of collection etc. in the same manner each time, BUT, there's always a caveat, we must continually refine our aids in correlation to the horse's understanding. To do anything else would be considered rude to the horse. "If the rider knows how to express his will with proper precision and calm authority, always limiting his demands to what the horse is capable of doing, the submission he obtains will gradually engender confidence and respect, along with the physical and psychological ease resulting from willing obedience to a fair and clearly expressed command." Jean Saint Fort Paillard Be clear and reward the slightest acknowledgement of understanding. Remember force only creates further resistance. Be kind to your horse and yourself. Do the exercises that are healthful to the horse and not to the point of fatigue. Exercises should be of short duration. Rest and reward lavishly when the horse starts to do as we ask. Often drop your reins to the buckle and just 'be' with your horse. Contemplate how lucky you are to be sitting on his back. Tell him. It is truly amazing how the horse will look at you as if to say; "I understand. What else can we do together?"

25.01.2022 Excellence in horsemanship rests on a foundation of enduring love and respect for horses and reverence for the life they represent Erik Herbermann

23.01.2022 Socrates the great philosopher once said; "To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom." And Sun Tzu extrapolated on this idea by saying; " Know the enemy and kn...ow yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of the enemy, but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril." This can be related to numerous aspects of ones life, including of course, our horse training. The ongoing investigation into the literature of fine horsemanship teaches us many things, but nothing can accompany this teaching better than by the practical application of this knowledge. Reading by itself is not enough. Nuno Oliveira said that one should ride, but not allow the books to gather dust upon the shelves. One can become complacent quickly and theory may precede practice but in essence does not take its place. Practice without theory on the other hand destines the all too conscientious rider to a life of mediocrity and dissatisfaction. Without knowledge the rider begins to use more force than brains, that is he starts to ride purely by instinct. "Insufficiently governed by intelligence, which alone enables us to control and dominate our instincts, equitation has always produced, and unfortunately still produces, many too many snobs and brutes. Is this tradition worth preserving?" Jean St. Fort Paillard A worthwhile time spent in study to ascertain the causes rather than treating the effects, will place the studious rider into a totally different realm of horsemanship which surpasses the understanding of more ordinary people. Within the readings there are basic Principles to consider and these principles should be the cornerstone to all riding. The principles need to align with common sense since it is simple common sense that has been tested and verified by experience that is a true worthy maxim. Great men of the past centuries also spoke of the importance in simplicity; "There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted." Sun Tzu Once we understand and use the language of the aids in a more sophisticated way, do we allow ourselves to become true horseman. But we start from the simple to the more complicated as Baucher would say; and the rules are simple. Short lessons. Precision helped by moderation and timely rewards, with no over exertion, or fatigue. With these success is assured ( H.L. Bussigny) .

23.01.2022 The lessons have started once again as horses and riders come back to work after a leisurely, and very hot Christmas break! As with all of us, coming back to work is about limbering our bodies (and our minds!) in a gradual progression enabling the recommencement of work before our break. So it is too, with our horses. Nothing can be hurried however, and we allow the horse to tell us how much, or little, we can do!...Continue reading

22.01.2022 The great Nuno Oliveira with sage advice about the use of the inside leg. Shared from Jinetes, Caballos y Horsemanship

21.01.2022 Knowledge Within each individual there are a certain amount of presuppositions. This means we all have an individual dogma, be it from authority figures, or something we have just picked up, based on our own belief system. To counteract this limitation within our psyche, I have found it highly beneficial to read. Not only read the words, but to have an open mind as to their content. There are numerous teachers of dressage today who are limited by this and that is wh...y we say that "No man is an island". There is simply no one who is entirely an expert. This obviously can make it difficult if you are searching for that knowledgeable teacher of classical riding. But, in this knowledge, you are also not someone who places anyone on a pedestal, which is unfair to them, as it is for you. Certainly, you can admire good riding, but also have the sense to see the whole. This is why I cannot overemphasize the need to read the writings by the very people who spent valuable time of reflection in the study of horses and their training. In todays fast paced world that indulgence is virtually nonexistent and people are so programmed in other ways to either make a living, or to feed that false self, the ego. None of us are immune to either of these pitfalls and when one is honestly interested in training horses with proper education , then one is compelled to be responsible for ones own actions and outcomes. It is never too late to take responsibility for yourself. Read.

21.01.2022 "There are hundreds of paths up the mountain, all leading to the same place. So it doesnt matter which path you take . The only person wasting their time is the one who runs around the mountain telling everyone that his or her path is wrong." Hindu proverb I find there are so many ways in which to teach and that one must not become attached to one method. ... It is my passion to be the best teacher I can be, to my horses, to my students and to my students horses. I have found of late that training the students horse at the beginning of each lesson allows a far better understanding to develop knowledge. Once the horse understands, the rider can then find an answer which previously evaded them. There is that elusive sense of feel which takes a great deal of time, knowledge and patience. As Nuno said one must give when the horse gives but take, and instantaneously, when the horse takes. The way in which we hold our reins, the way in which we use our seat and leg is very important and takes time to develop. I instead, focus on the principles of good riding and impress these valuable lessons on the horse as well as the rider. Here I am riding the beautiful Jaxx for the first time. It helps me to teach better as I can feel what the horse is doing and correct stiffness when it occurs, then allow the horse numerous moments of freedom. Horses communicate with you if you listen.

20.01.2022 Some preview of Philippe Karls dvds

19.01.2022 I know Andrew understands a great deal on French Traditional equitation and here he talks about some principles of hand without leg, leg without hand. To be clear with your aids and not to mix everything (As Philippe Karl would say)

19.01.2022 One of my favourite articles "Often it seems, the followers tend to pick upon the most obvious of their teachers methods and fail to observe the subtleties that lie behind them." https://www.horsemagazine.com//nuno-oliveira-talks-about-/

18.01.2022 All through our training sessions there is constant reference to the dictum of Calm, forward and straight. Without these principles one is lost into the sea of novelty and subject to many erroneous ways. For calmness to be instilled and maintained, the rider has to learn the language of the aids, with clarity. ... These pictures of Rico tell only a small part of his journey and they may be not as impressive to some, nonetheless they are of no end impressive to both Lisa and I. What were schooling him to be, is a horse who is calm, forward and straight and all that encompasses. It is the foundation of his education but also the building block upon which more advanced work can easily be achieved later. Simple things such as having a horse halt from a slight indication from the rider and stand still on a slack rein is very classical. It gives the rider the time to pause and reflect. Yet many do not consider it, or even understand its importance and value. "If the rider knows how to express his will with proper precision and calm authority, always limiting his demands to what the horse is capable of doing, the submission he obtains will gradually engender confidence and respect, along with the physical and psychological ease resulting from willing obedience to a fair and clearly expressed command." Jean Saint Fort Paillard

18.01.2022 This lady is one of my friends on Facebook. Such a wonderful horsewoman! https://www.sonja-weber-reitkunst.de/films/

18.01.2022 Classical riding is not predicated upon quick fixes and novelties. It is a much deeper, more profound and lasting ethos. Many profess to be trainers who train classically but few essentially are. It is merely a word bandied about as if to give credence to sell a product. The real problem lies in the fact that few really understand where classical training came from and why it has stood the test of time. The other problem is that it is the horses that continue to be confuse...d and become trained by rote fashion, losing their own innateness. They become robots who perform. That saddens me greatly, and no doubt anyone who searches for more meaning in life. Because of the limited number of horsemen who have this knowledge, riders who wish to improve their own riding and training of horses can still do this.The answers lie in the literature and the endurance to follow the teachings despite the difficulties. This is a test of ones character and should not be entered into as one would enter a whim. From this written knowledge one then needs to practice and go continually back to the knowledge to recheck its validity and ones understanding. Classical riding is therefore not easy, due much to the difficulty in aligning oneself with a longer term view, and not to rectify a fault which limits the overall goal, which is one of lightness. One that utilises minimal necessary effort to attain this lightness, as anything above that causes a counter reaction.

17.01.2022 Do you always believe what you see as the whole truth? In my world of horse training I see some seemingly amazing trainers only to find that what I see is a mom...ent that is sold as a way of being. This type of belief can easily (and often does) make one feel not good enough and easily able to be sold to. Know that horses, like us, are not machines. If we aim for the best possible outcomes but we fail to achieve those to their limit, in reality we are not failures. We are finding out how much farther we can improve. We find out whether we really need help or just havent taken time to set ourselves up for more success. This is why I constantly speak of the "Principles" within classical horsemanship. They are your best guide. "For the big lie, you first need the little lie. The little lie is, metaphorically speaking, the bait used by the Father of Lies to hook his victims. The human capacity for imagination makes us capable of dreaming up and creating alternative worlds. This is the ultimate source of our creativity. With that singular capacity, however, comes the counterpart, the opposite side of the coin: we can deceive ourselves and others into believing and acting as if things are other than we know they are." (from "12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos" by Jordan B. Peterson)

17.01.2022 BAUCHER BELIEVED THE LESS ONE INTERFERED WITH THE HORSE, THE MORE ONE COULD ACCOMPLISH

17.01.2022 The Colonel says it so well.

16.01.2022 Experiment on balance and the error of too much forward movement. "So, has the dressage progression much meaning as concerns the physical ability of the horse to perform increasingly more difficult movements? I dont think so. Try this simple experiment: as you are walking a free walk down the centerline, position your weight to the right and stick your right leg, near the girth, against the horses side. Nothing will happen. Then, keeping your weight to the right and your ri...ght leg against the horse, progressively slow the pace; all of a sudden, the horse will proceed sideways to the left. What made the difference is that, by slowing down, you have set the horse in a balance allowing him to move sideways, which he couldnt do at a free walk." (from "TOTAL HORSEMANSHIP: A recipe for riding in absolute balance" by JEAN-CLAUDE RACINET)

16.01.2022 How can classical training help a racehorse win races? The answer seems to come from the famous all round French trainer Beudant, who after competing in a showjumping event and demonstrating high school dressage during his riding (all day) on the showground, only to enter a 3 mile race across country (the same day!), to win by 60 lengths!! The horse was an Anglo-Barb horse named Robersart 2.... After he sold the horse, he went to win the next 5 races. It's truly a testament to Beudant who knew that the golden key to fine equitation was by training the horse to lightness, henceforth, balance, being light to the hand by a soft mobility of the lower jaw combined with lightness to the leg indicated by activity in the haunches. This balance, once taught, allowed the horse to utilise his own body, (who else would be the best one to really know how best to use it?), when 'left alone' to perform. De la Gueriniere also taught the total release on the grip of the rein, which is called the "descente de main", but it is seldom practiced, as a great deal of this old horsemanship seems to be disappearing, yet he is still considered the father of modern dressage. Next time you are being taught to drive the horse onto the bit, take a moment to think of what General L'Hotte observed; Lightness in equitation was recognized by the submission and flexibility of the jaw, resulting in flexibility of the neck and the remainder of the horse. The secret was the 'giving of the mouth' creating lightness. It was not about forcing the head to the vertical, but that through submission of the lower jaw through direct and lateral flexions, which aided substantially the horseman to that end, creating the true 'ramener'. Further ; "There is an astonishing relationship between a horse's mouth and the muscles throughout his body. A horse in resisting his rider cannot contract a single muscle without simultaneously contracting his lower jaw. Conversely, the lighter his mouth, the better his balance." Beudant So when a horse is pulling or otherwise heavy in the hand, he is not using his body to contribute to the movement, he is actually wasting energy which could otherwise be used to 'contribute' to the movement (Photo Patrice Franchet d'Espèrey)

16.01.2022 "Understanding requires not just a moment of perception, but a continuous awareness, a continuous state of inquiry without conclusion." These words coined by the famous Bruce Lee together with; "Simplicity is the key to brilliance." And; "Learning is never cumulative; it is a movement which has no beginning and no end."... These few words reflect some of the values one should seriously consider if one is to really honor classical riding. It is not easy, however it can be simple, if one is not dissuaded by being sold to in some form or another. Much of what was, and still is, admonished or applauded in the dressage arena is of little relevance when it comes to classical riding. Nuno said it well when he spoke of seeking the horses approbation and not of the audience, yet many are still seeking answers in the wrong places. Once again, it is the principles of classical riding which were so well revered and passed on to a few, which needed to be embedded in order not to be led astray in the quest towards improvement. It is not as is often talked about; the end result of a trained horse, but the continual awareness and desire to see how much lighter, easier and naturally we can develop the horse to perform movements he would on his own if he were free to do so, and that those movements can be very simple. That is the true essence of classical riding. What perfection really meant; "That perfection lay in purity - the purity of a simple movement rather than the execution of complicated movements that "thrill the Philistine." (Quest for Lightness in Equitation-Hilda Nelson)

16.01.2022 Christian is an exemplary horseman and personally a very kind and knowledgeable man.

15.01.2022 The horse is unable to differentiate between what is a lesson and what is a performance. He learns everything that leaves an impression on him, the good and the bad. He is endowed with such a good memory which when there is a hint of past pain, he will react with his instinct to flee. We as trainers must understand this at a deeper level. The dictum of LHotte; "Calm, forward and straight" was prescribed in that order. If we are not able to obtain calm (through clarit...y, empathy and understanding) we can not be forward and we definitely cannot be straight. The horses training is about reward and punishment, not punishment meaning by blows, but of an aid which is louder/stronger, but only momentary. Remember what Racinet said; the aids should request or restore, never to maintain. All lessons need to be Clear. Even though this may sound easy, it is not easy to implement and henceforth very few riders look deeply enough within themselves to ensure the above is abided by. But for those of us who continually aspire to communicate with our horses with a framework of mutual respect and understanding, the rewards are so inspiring!

15.01.2022 The word Equilibrium, so often repeated in the course of this work, must be categorically explained. People have never rightly understood what is meant by this true equilibrium of the horse, which serves as a basis for his education, and by which he takes instantly, at the riders will, such a pace, or such a change of direction. It is not here a question of the equilibrium which prevents the horse from falling down, but of that upon which depends his performance, when it is prompt, graceful, and regular, and by means of which his paces are either measured or extended at will. (The weight of the croup and the head are equally distributed) Francois Baucher Method of Horsemanship

15.01.2022 Some time ago I posted a horse ridden in lightness in piaffe but the horse was not lowering his hindquarters as is generally accepted by the majority as a prerequisite. However no horse is the same as another and the abilities are also not the same, dependent upon the conformation and psychological disposition. Here we have Christian Carde with a very valued and intelligent essay about this very misjudged hypothesis.

14.01.2022 The knowledge of French Traditional riding is not lost in Australia, helping riders find new ways from very old teachings that are as relevant today as they were then. Too much is missed nowadays of the subtleties of fine horsemanship, yet there are a number who are interested in the knowledge and its practice. This alone makes it worthwhile to study and and practice yet in its results, the horses themselves speak the loudest.

13.01.2022 From Jinetes, Caballos y Horsemanship. Gracias "If you are only interested in the score, if this is your only criterion of success or failure, my riding does no...t interest you." Nuno Oliveira. Si estás únicamente interesado por la puntuación, si este es tu único criterio de éxito o fracaso, mi equitación no te interesa.Nuno Oliveira.

13.01.2022 "So the responsibility, Susan, is yours; the ball is in your court. If the technique doesn’t work for you, don’t incriminate the technique; carefully try to determine where you have parted from the indications I have given in this letter. The flexion of the jaw cannot really be learnt from a book, since it is about a feeling, and feelings cannot be shared or transmitted. People who have never experienced a migraine cannot understand what it really is. They can only guess. Thu...s in the past, many a grave disease was blamed on the patient’s self-pity. Even if I were physically present when you ride, I could not make you feel what I feel when I get the relaxation of the jaw. I would have to be a ghost, place my hands in yours, and make you exactly feel what it is like when the mouth yields. And I measured my responsibility as I was about to deliver all this information in this letter and in my articles. I know that any misuse that will be made of the technique will be put on the score of the method itself. All the more so since tact is involved in the matter. You may take piano lesson after piano lesson and yet never become a great pianist. Musicality cannot be taught. I know some great sport riders who cannot get a real flexion of the jaw. They pull; it’s in their genes." (from "RACINET EXPLAINS BAUCHER" by JEAN-CLAUDE RACINET, FRANCOIS BAUCHER) See more

12.01.2022 Horses head towards the vertical and the "Ramener" 'With respect to classical equitation, the position of the head does not determine the Ramener. It is to be found in the "submission and flexibility of the jaw" which is the first joint which recieves the action of the hand. When the jaw is flexible and soft, it will affect the flexibility of the neck as well as the other joints. ... If the jaw resists and refuses to be flexible, there is no lightness there, or anywhere else, for that matter. For resistances sustain each other. Thus the "Ramener" is less a direction or position of the head; rather it is a general state of submission of the horse's joints and muscles. Circus equitation seeks merely the movement itself. It does not necessarily seek lightness. ' Alexis L'Hotte

12.01.2022 Wise words from a very wonderful horseman from the famed Cadre Noir - Jean St Fort Paillard. Words that still hold true in todays supposedly more modern equestrian pursuits!... "It is also in the light of this conception that we should condemn and reject once and for all, now that men no longer have the excuse of necessity and are supposed no longer to have the excuse of ignorance, all the practices that are in the process of dishonoring modern Equitation. We are supposed to have emerged out of the eras of obscurantism, empiricism, and cruelty; but have we really? ..... As to cruelty, whoever would dare to assert that it has been banished from modern Equitation? Aside from the torment so many riders continue to make their horses suffer on the pretext they are schooling them, dont we know and see that violence and brutality are, unfortunately, still too widely practiced? And isnt it shocking that some of the culprits are famous riders who are able to continue with impunity to belonging to what should be the elite of the equestrian world? Jean Saint Fort Paillard

11.01.2022 "We do not speak of a superiority of any Method (eg. The German method), but it must be recognised that dressage is very popular in Germany and there are many junior riders capable of competing in Prix St. Georges. Of course, German riders are not all top class riders, having a tendency to ride and work their horse with a rigidity and harshness which induces a very strong contact with the reins. But, if you observe the top German riders such as Schultheis, Klimke etc., you w...ill notice that this is not what happens. They are not ignorant of the descente de main which is the result and reward of real collection. Otto Loerke, the great German master who had been Schultheiss teacher was a great follower of the methods of Englishman James Fillis who (If you wish) is a product of the French School, Francois Baucher. I possess a film of Schultheis on a grey horse showing the Grand Prix movements. You can often see the reins slack, almost loose, when the horse flexes his haunches well. In 1982 World Championships at Lausanne, Reiner Klimke also, demonstrates very often in his test, descente de main . If a horse is not truly light, exercises such as the pirouette, the passage, the piaffe and especially the transition from passage to piaffe are not really accurate and brilliant. It is necessary to delve a little into history in order to appreciate our present day and to understand a little the basic fundamentals of Equestrian Art and its evolution. Nuno Oliveira

09.01.2022 FORWARD What do you do when a horse does not go forward or is considered lazy? The problem often does not lie in the horses inability or willingness to comply, (except for health issues) but rather ...Continue reading

09.01.2022 How do we make it "Better" ? Isnt it ironic how we accept the natural order of things when it comes to human beings from new born to infant to adolescent to adult, understanding clearly that humans have differing physical traits and different learning capabilities, yet progress readily more or less along similar and logical patterns of growth, both physically and psychologically. When it comes to horses however, we tend to conflate reality and expectation and do not provid...e this window to the natural progression from the most simple to a furthering degree of difficulty. But when we sincerely reflect fairly upon this, it is not difficult to realise that we are being unreasonable to the nth degree. Far too many do not take the time and fail to commence education through a very simple language and instead, add all sorts of often conflicting signals, causing confusion and eventually chaos to the horses wonderful but fragile temperament. This leads to either a "disobedient" horse or one which no longer tries - many understand this as "learned helplessness". As Baucher would say; "Ask often, be happy with a little bit, reward a lot". We often ask too much too soon and destroy what might have been, never really understanding that we were the ones who lacked. Not the horse. It is however, heartening to see there are people who do understand and continue to make the world a little better and certainly not make it worse for our beautiful companions.

08.01.2022 Morning rides The horses had me thinking again this morning. I had recently really become aware of my attitude before I left the house. In one of my numerous books I found the advice of "Put your best self forward into each day. See yourself as having the best outcome."... Pondering, I went into my day with a spring in my step. This attitude sees the world through different eyes and gives you a feeling of lightness and expectation. Everyone should try it. And keep trying it! With all my work, I feel the horse first. I observe him and see what his attitude is like and go about asking for a dialogue to commence from the very first moments of grooming and saddling. My horse stands at the mounting block and I pause taking in the enormity of the gift of being in their presence and set my mind on making even the slightest improvements. The important thing for me is this dialogue encapsulated within the principles of classical riding. It is from the simple to the more difficult we progress and it is at the walk where most of the work is done. I allow the horse to walk on a long rein and feel him as to when to pick up on the reins and commence. As soon as I start to close my fingers on the rein in a more upward manner (influencing the horses required balance whilst riding) I feel the soft mobility of the horses jaw. I ask for a little lateral flexion to see. As my horse gives no resistance I am pleased. I then allow the horse to stretch and relax again. Often we will just stand. It is a truly beautiful feeling just to be. We then commence on mobilising the shoulders feeling for the continuing horizontal balance and the slight mobility of the jaw on a semi-taut rein. This tells me the horse is listening and responding. We also look for activity, not stress, but the somewhat psychological phenomena which gives one the immediate availability of the horses energy. I concentrate on changing bend, in balance and perform traver, counter shoulder in and renver continually dependent upon any feeling of contractions ever so slight. When I ask, I then leave the horse alone to allow him to perform the movement and only intervene within the movement if the lightness, activity or tempo changes, or if I change the request. This is at the forefront of my mind; to allow the horse to be on parole. In between we have many breaks and then we may increase the work to a slight piaffer and a pirouette. As soon as the horse has responded in lightness, activity and calmness, we halt and drop the reins. This is the pinnacle of dressage. It is not about extraordinary movements but the one to one dialogue with your horse. It was Nuno who was preoccupied by the physical and mental attitude of the horse rather than by performing movements. His focus was on the horses spirit of collaboration. I work in seeking that too

08.01.2022 Last words of Francois Baucher; So, taking my hand and giving him the position of the bridle's hand, he says, ' Remember well, always that ' and he immobilized my hand under pressure from his own. Never that ", and he brought my hand closer to my chest. I'm happy to give you this again before I die. General L ' Hotte Where do we find such horsemen who cared so much about the training so as not to pull?... Who cares enough that it was pressing upon his mind as he departed this earth. See more

07.01.2022 The Traditions of classical riding are in grave danger of disappearance. As Dom Diogo de Bragança (Dressage in the French Tradition)once said; '.... when lightness ceases to constitute the principal concern of riders, the quantity of contestants in dressage tests increases and their quality diminishes. Do not forget that, even in the golden age of academic dressage, great écuyers were very rare. It is not by extending wine with water that one produces more good wine!'... Yet many concern themselves with the rhetoric and understand very little of what classical riding signifies. It is up to each individual, who, seeking a higher level of understanding with their horse, to dutifully practice truthfully and seek what the masters sought. Anything else is a lie. Maestro Nuno Oliveira said it very well; 'Equestrian art is the perfect understanding between the rider and his horse. This harmony allows the horse to work without any contraction in his joints or his muscles, permitting him to carry out all movements with mental and physical enjoyment as well as with suppleness and rhythm. The horse is then a partner, rather than a slave who is enforced to obey a rigid master by constraint.'

07.01.2022 Training horses takes a range of skills often overlooked in their simplicity, yet are fundamental cornerstones towards a more refined understanding, needing to be addressed if one is to grow beyond the realm of mediocrity. The knowledge of the horsemanship of the past is being forgotten and as the famous words of Nietzsche warned; "The condition of a people which has lost faith in its ancient history has fallen into a restless and constant search for novelty after novelty"... The deep respect and quietude with which we should listen to our horses, is also overtaken by a relentless desire to show them off, rather than encourage the beautiful capacities nature has given them. As LHotte in the book The Quest for Lightness in Equitation (Hilda Nelson) said; "One must distinguish between; PRINCIPLES The foundation of his art, established through experiences and justified by logic. DOCTRINE Which finds its expression in theories which flow from the body of principles brought together MEANS The procedures of execution METHOD Links the means to precepts, and regulates the order of their use. In principle, it is this language the horse must obey, the language of the aids and "Not of Routine", unless we are dealing with basic dressage, applicable to a horse whose future is to be obeyed by all kinds of hands. ......... Mathematical conclusions, in that they are positive and absolutle , cannot be applied to equitation: for nature will never divulge to us all her secrets and the horse will always reserve for us new facts and surprises, which emerge from life itself. Neither can equestrian language present an uniformity as is the case with scientific language, the latter being based on reason and logic, whereas the former is profoundly dependent upon the personal feeling of the ecuyer. This equitation, especially in respect to its synthetic parts, is presented in terms of expressions, and becomes part of the ecuyer. ..... a riding instructor may try to be scientific - a trait often used to hide a lack of practical knowledge."

07.01.2022 THE RIDERS SEAT When you sit upon your horse: Expand your chest so that you are able to breathe fully;... Ensure that each part of your body rests above the one below it; Upper arm is relaxed and hangs easily down from your shoulders; The legs hang down and take as many contacts with the saddle and horse as possible, but relaxed and weighted down by their own weight; The length of rein is such that it takes a light contact with the horses mouth. These are simple preparatory goals from which we commence our training. Just like anything else new, our body will find it difficult to maintain this position for long, however with consistent practice, it becomes easier and easier. If you are tense, you reflect this to the horse, and further exacerbate the situation with your own psyche. We must not be a moving burden upon the horses back but must allow the horse to move as he would without a rider, by constantly being aware to minimize our own body movements as much as possible. From here, our training can commence.

07.01.2022 Transforming the world around you. Todays lesson with Lisa brought about steady advancements allowing her horse Rico to find the new balance easier under the... rider. Being a thoroughbred who has been on the track takes from Lisa a sensitivity which encompasses a deeper understanding of the incremental steps required so as to keep him calm, forward and straight. The old masters would say that we should never ask for anything at a faster pace when it cannot be done in a slower one. In the spirit of this very learned advice, we are very careful to acknowledge the slightest contractions with Ricos attitude to his training, and so too, the slightest understanding. Every new or greater degree of a request will naturally bring a little contraction or tension, (that is natural) so we must be careful to bring Rico back to calmness and allow him to relax into a movement he is confident with and then request again. Like clockwork, Rico imbued with further confidence takes a couple of beautiful steps when he is immediately rewarded with a break. (And may I say a little stroking on his neck and cooing from his partner!) The advice given in any field is not lost to horse training and includes; Acknowledging when the horse becomes stiff or contracted and fix it by; Bringing him back to an exercise which he is confident with and allow him then to extend and lower his frame. Start with the smallest things With those small but numerous things you do each day ask yourself; "How can I make this better?" Its in those daily habits improved upon, that lead to real transformation. And remember, there is a randomness to all things and things dont always go as planned. Horses and humans are not machines. Know that and keep your focus. Only when you have improved yourself with these simple steps, do you have the opportunity to transform the world around you

06.01.2022 It is always so difficult to have someone take some photos of myself and my horses. But today I had a few taken whilst I was training my thoroughbred "Timmy". I... have only recently brought him back into work and look forward in seeing what we can do together in due course. I enjoy his intelligence and sensitivity and even though my smallest standing at just 16hh, he certainly makes up for it with his talent and desire to please! Here we are working towards more collection into some passage and a little piaffe. Ive trained him from a newly backed horse and although it wasnt always so easy, he has become such a pleasure and I feel very fortunate to have had him come into my life. The knowledge of Traditional riding has been a true blessing!

06.01.2022 Usually the unskilled horseman reacts in an exaggerated and continuous manner when a horse resists, that is, he usually over-reacts. This over-reaction immediately brings about the horses further resistance. Thus, according to Baucher, instead of opposing resistance with another resistance in order to subdue the horse, the rider, if he fails at the first attempt, should try to subdue the horse in limited or small doses. Should this remedy also fail, the rider shou...ld then modify the general strength of the horse by altering his own position and movement. Only then can the rider react more directly with the horses resistance. Alexis LHotte

05.01.2022 Main Goal of Training "The language of the aids must be the simplest for the understanding ..... Release the hand and the leg leaving the horse as free as possible as long as he maintains the correct position, gait and speed. ... This is proof that the horse is truly in balance. Balance is the goal to seek." Beudant Photo Jean Claude Racinet

05.01.2022 Why not bend the horses neck too much? If we ask the horse for too much bend in the neck to the inside we consequently push the shoulders to the outside and the the haunches to the inside causing further crookedness

04.01.2022 "The horse is indeed the only master of his forces that our own strength is quite unable to augment by itself alone. It is hence up to him to use them to his liking and to determine the way to employ them in order to respond in the best way possible to the riders indications. Should the latter want to act by himself, the horse lets himself be carried and adjusts his efforts to those that the man makes him feel. But if the horse knows that he can rely upon his own means only, he will use them without expecting anything but indications, and then he uses them in full, with all his stamina." Beudant

04.01.2022 Nuno certainly had an inquisitive mind which reminds me so much of Baucher, who he is quoted to have studied more profoundly in his later years. Let me share some of LHottes words; "Bauchers mind was too mobile for it to remain in a rut. And the quest for perfection, regardless of whether one can ever find it, necessitate modifications and changes, whether the direction is the right one or not."... May I add that one does not know how far one can go if one does not test oneself. The Master is the one who has done this and then has been able to temper it, and instead of preaching he has reached the summit of perfection, he abides by the principles which ultimately respect the horse.

04.01.2022 Nothing happens until a dialogue of finesse is commenced

04.01.2022 https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=3082625158482113&id=772075859537066 It is the horsemen who know the traditions of the past, who practice it and teach it, who I greatly admire. They are a dying breed and very few know even who they are. Christian is one whos wisdom should be known far and wide for the sake of the horse and the dressage which makes the rider better in all respects.

03.01.2022 May you have a peaceful Christmas. "The course of life runs not always as we have dreamed, but rather as destiny decrees, and we should consider our duty done, our present task fulfilled, when conscious of having done our best in the field of action flung by fate." General L'Hotte

03.01.2022 The true honour of classical riding can be achieved through serious work towards superior lightness from the beginning training to the advanced level. Very few can achieve it to this level, and one may look at thousands of photos of supposedly high level riders who really are not seeking self carriage because they do not really understand its true meaning.

03.01.2022 The purity of classical equitation. While a controversy between two so-called different methods in equitation raged in France during the first half of the nineteenth century, namely the controversy between Baucher and dAure, a second controversy also occurred within the haute cole idiom as performed in the circus. This new controversy centered around the equitation as performed by the riders and the training of the horses..... These cuyres and their horses were critici...zed because they exhibited what dEtreillis calls equestrian automatism which he felt these riders and their horses were exhibiting, that is, their horses were acting mechanically and with brusqueness and the riders were stiff and mechanical.... It was only the purest movements that a rider and horse executed that were admired by the aficionados.... General Decarpentry describes accurately the differences between haute cole as practiced by the purists and the haute cole practiced in the circus... It is, however, of no concern to the circus rider if a few connoisseurs, enlightened by their equestrian education, are saddened by the perversion of their art as displayed in his presentations... the circus rider must arouse the enthusiasm of the philistines by his stunts, acrobatics and airs of bravura. Extravagance of movements, sometimes even frenzy, are necessary to enchant the audience, rather than purity of style. While Baucher had real talent, he was forced, as General LHotte put it, "to sacrifice to false gods". Or, as Baucher, himself, used to say bitterly that "For ten sous I must show off like a circus actor". It is precisely purity of style that dEtreillis and Vaux admired in some of the cuyres and which they found lacking in others. The Quest for Lightness in Equitation Hilda Nelson (Picture is of Francois Baucher 1796-1873)

03.01.2022 In general terms, each time an artist believes he has reached the utmost apex of art, he gives by this very thought the measure of his mediocrity. By contrast, the artist who believes he sees the end of his efforts moving further away as his talent grows, proves thereby the value and the significance of his feeling which, then, makes him see his goal more and more remote by making him better and better realizing what perfection is. So it goes for the artist-horseman, for... the ecuyer. He and his horse are as one, and he senses that talent, for him, and execution, for the horse, are perfectable indefinitely. General L'Hotte (Photo of Antoine de Coux from 'The Wisdom of Master Nuno Oliveira ')

02.01.2022 The Ramener, which is the horse 'placing his head' is only proper if the horse gives it to you. It is not by pulling on the reins but by first teaching the lateral flexion of the poll and combining this with impulsion from active hindquarters. The horses response to the action of the hand which is 'fixed' in relation to itself, is met with the soft mobility of the jaw. Nuno Oliveira said we must have a fixed hand with mobile fingers. The hands must be made out of cement co...ncrete if the horse resists and butter as soon as he gives in. The last and the ring fingers must yield, never the thumb. Fixing the hand is not pulling. Many riders pull on the reins and it goes directly against the old teachings and injures the horse. General Pierre Durand said that the hand is legitimately entitled to move forward and backward in order to follow the mouth, ie; for maintaining the contact and keeping the reins adjusted. The hand gets fixed when it has to act. If the hand pulls backwards for acting, the rider 'pulls' and, carried away by his traction, will be unable to give in quickly enough when the horse yields. This then punishes the horse despite attempting to give the correct answer.

01.01.2022 Why do some riders expect quick fixes? Not all riders have the prior appropriate education from the ground up to be able to clearly understand how to rectify a problem that is occurring by general advice. On internet sites such as facebook, there are a number of learned horsemen who have knowledge, but are really unable to solve a riders problem by a few words relating to that particular problem. Not because they cannot, but because many riders do not want to really go bac...k to the cause of the problem and fix it from there. It is only from the root cause that we really help, not by applying a simple bandaid. Horses are far too intelligent and should be treated with the respect that their reactions or actions to a stimulus are simply a result of prior schooling. They do not react for no apparent reason. "In dressage, the biggest mistake is the tendency to correct the effects rather than searching and acting on the causes. " Etienne Beudant Horse training is not easy as it requires from the rider a certain humility which seems rare in todays competitive world. This means a great deal of self reflection, which is not what many want to do. To say a problem comes from me is a far greater accomplishment than people perhaps realize. It is only from this realization that we really start to listen and cease to talk above someone else who just may have the answers we so desperately need.