If time and good instructors permit, systematic dressage can bring nothing but benefit to any horse and pleasure to the rider. If, however, the dressage is misapplied, is carried out in an over-hasty manner and in an insensitive way – and this is more often than not the case – then more harm is done … More Give Them More Time!
I was recently reading a piece about a new Dressage competition that was started in Finland. The gist of it is that two competitors ride side by side, in mirror patterns “consisting of 5 or 6 ‘flashy’ movements”. The audience registers their approval by the level of applause, and three judges decide who moves into … More Alternative Dressage Competitions?
At the symposium I attended in Tucson, earlier this year, Charles de Kunffy opened by playing this video for the audience. As it ran, he made points about how all of this was done without any gimmicks, no fancy tack, glittery clothing – none of the modern trappings. And yet here were obedient, calm and … More Military “Centaurs”
Although talent is a gift from God, the true development of the artist is only through great introspection, diligent work, untold energy and enormous patience. Horsemanship is an art that does not live indefinitely through its creations (because horses die) and when there are no longer any teachers who are able to inspire and produce … More Indefinite Art
“In matters regarding their nature, it is hardly surprising that horses can outwit the rider with considerable ease – after all, they only need to be themselves to succeed. This is so, because in horsemanship the task lies entirely with the rider to become more horse-like, and not for the horse to become human. But, … More Of Horses And Chess …
I recently had the pleasure of spending two hot days in Tucson, Arizona, filling my brain with some favorite subjects: horses, Classical Dressage and biomechanics. I was attending “Art Meets Science: The Biomechanics of Classical Dressage.” The presenters were Charles de Kunffy and Dr. Gerd Heuschmann. For those not acquainted with Charles, he is one of … More Two Days In Tucson
Horse Crazy Once Again 