Pursuit of a harmonious relationship with the horse has led me to many philosophies and instructors. I've always known that the horse is an extremely sensitive creature and despite his ability to physically overpower any human, has submitted to a role of servitude.
I have been fortunate to be inspired by the insight and analysis of some very influential people. Principally, Tony Gonzales, who taught me to observe and analyze the foundation of motion....the feet. Sally Swift whose brilliant analogies brought awareness of the tremendous impact a rider has on behaviour and attitude. Walter Zettl who challenged me to ride 'up in heaven'. Tom Dorrance, who with simplicity and sensitive awareness required 'riding every stride'. Elaine Ward who acknowledged my desire for finesse in riding and presented opportunities to develop 'the feel'.
After thirty years of building foundations and observing the evolution of riding, I felt dismayed that even more barriers were being built to beautiful and unified riding through coercive and contrived training methods. From the beginning of time, horses have been the victims of human contempt for natural beauty. With fear in the heart, severe methods of control presented opportunity for the next greatest fashionable frame for the horse. Without regard for physiology or psychology of the horse, unreasonable and disgraceful practices have become the mainstay of horsemanship.
Within the parameters of my comprehension, I was unable to formulate more articulate communication with a horse, despite being aware that my methodology was not producing the elements of grace and beauty I knew were possible. Until I met Philipe Karl.
Though I cannot profess to fully comprehend all of Philipe Karl's theories and experience, I can attest to his meticulous adherence to classical ideals in training. His philosophies and techniques have revolutionized my approach in the re-schooling of an ex-racehorse. His training scale and thoughtful analysis of correct schooling are brilliantly articulated, both in his clinic and his book, Twisted Truths of Modern Dressage. After attending his clinic in Schomberg this past summer, I approached my sensitive thoroughbred with a heartfelt awareness that Philipe's methods would prove successful.
Instead of attempting to ride the horse with low hands to encourage a low head-set and stretch, I utilized the high hands and wide leading rein. Within a few days, my horse, who previously fought even slight contact, was seeking the bit. Instead of tensing his back, he was releasing and stretching through his neck. There was no longer an attempt to drop behind the vertical and his already big stride became longer and engaged.
As a rider I felt my seat become more independent as I learned to ride with this high hand position. With this came a much more relaxed and controlled position, from which the subtlety of forward and sideways aids could be improved. The response from my horse was nothing short of astounding and Philipe's Philosophy of Ease was accurately described.
With the ground-swell of disgust for the current training methods employed by the world's leading dressage riders, vigorously initiated by horsemen like Philipe Karl, I am optomistic that the pursuit of intelligent and enlightened riding will become the goal of the competitive arena. As the inspiration and leaders of the equestrian community, it is to be hoped that the definition of correct training is refocused on classical form, rather than the tense and coerced version we have idealized in the show arena for decades. Once seen, the beauty and grace of a classically trained horse transforms the ideal. The magnificence of the horse becomes most apparent when ridden with ease and 'legerete'. Hail to those who continue to promote the principles of Classical Training, despite the subversion of those skills on the International stage.